The less talked about sighting on Newbattle Road by M O'Sullivan & D Hamilton...

[Admin]

It’s very possible he could end up serving a full life tariff like Bamber

He would have been released already if he wasn't deemed to pose a continuing threat.  Convicted persons can still achieve parole on the first application regardless of whether they accept their guilt or not. Many factors have to be considered by the parole board but I fear Jeremy Bamber's crimes are so despicable that their very nature will deny him parole ultimately.

[Mrs S]

He would have been released already if he wasn't deemed to pose a continuing threat.  Convicted persons can still achieve parole on the first application regardless of whether they accept their guilt or not. Many factors have to be considered by the parole board but I fear Jeremy Bamber's crimes are so despicable that their very nature will deny him parole ultimately.

He wouldn't already have been released. He has to serve minimum of 20 years before before he can apply for parole. He hasn't served 20 years yet.

[mrswah]

He would have been released already if he wasn't deemed to pose a continuing threat.  Convicted persons can still achieve parole on the first application regardless of whether they accept their guilt or not. Many factors have to be considered by the parole board but I fear Jeremy Bamber's crimes are so despicable that their very nature will deny him parole ultimately.

 As far as I'm aware, Bamber's whole life tariff will automatically deny him parole, unless new evidence is found that proves him innocent.

Luke Mitchell, on the other hand, is not on a whole life tariff.( Do they exist in Scotland??  )

[faithlilly]

No chance. He would murder again, and the authorities know it.

Then it seems strange that the original investigation let Luke roam free for 10 months before charging him, doesn’t it...him being so dangerous and all?

[William Wallace]

Fair comment; but it cannot be denied that the forum is giving everyone a fair crack of the whip.  I think members are making an excellent case on promoting the evidence which actually convicted Mitchell.

It is all being presented in a pretty no-nonsense factual way which totally refutes much of the factoids prevalent on internet sources.

Mitchell's defence was 'alibi' and 'a big boy dunnit and ran away' ~ I think the court addressed that and members have reinforced that.

How did Mitchell know what hair scrunchie and clothes Jodi was wearing when she was murdered.  Her mother said she had changed clothes before going out he said he hadn't seen her until he 'found' her naked body lying on her back with her red bauble hidden in her hair.

And so it continues ~ I don't think there is much that members have missed and I think just stating the facts plainly and simply as they were presented in court differentiates between the truth and inconsistent bluster.

I think members are doing a great job of rebuttal which is important when no doubt there are very real instances of miscarriage which could and should be addressed which don't have the same dynamics supporting them as Mitchell has.

Pity they're all wrong doing this 'great job'.

[Brietta]

Pity they're all wrong doing this 'great job'.

Jodi was naked - she was lying on her back with her arms bound behind her and the rest of her clothing scattered around but for her socks.  She had changed clothes before leaving to meet up with Mitchell which meeting Mitchell claimed didn't happen.
It was dark.  So how was Mitchell able to describe what she was wearing down to the red bauble in her hair?

I think members are doing a great job exposing anomalies such as that.

[Mr Apples]

The denial that the woodburner had been lit was outweighed by the evidence of witnesses that it had - one of whom I believe was Luke Mitchell.

What is your source for Luke saying the woodburner had been lit? I think I read that as well, but can’t find the link. Do you have a cite or link?

Strange that Corinne denied that the burner had been lit. Anyone have a cite for this, with context and where and when it was said and under which circumstances?

[mrswah]

Pity they're all wrong doing this 'great job'.

Thing is, you don't KNOW they are all wrong. It can only be your opinion.

Same with those who KNOW Luke is guilty. They can't be one hundred per cent sure: not even all the jurors were.

My own opinion is that it's a dodgy case, and that Luke was certainly  not found guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.  On the other hand, it's possible that he killed Jodi while under the influence of cannabis.

I suspect he didn't do it, but I may well be wrong. The only person who really knows is Luke-----and, of course, the real killer , if it wasn't Luke.

[Paranoid Android]

Then it seems strange that the original investigation let Luke roam free for 10 months before charging him, doesn’t it...him being so dangerous and all?

What if he was under surveillance?

[faithlilly]

What if he was under surveillance?

Is there any evidence that he was?

[Parky41]

What if he was under surveillance?

Yes - the shopping trip and of the Flo waiting on them. Internet activity of buying the knife? The tattoo parlour - did they come forward or did the police visit here? After knowing that they had visited? But ultimately, as you say - they had their sights on LM, as the killer and he would naturally be under surveillance would he not? - for gathering evidence and that of safety of others? - But how much of threat is someone when they know they are already suspect in a murder. - Disturbed - yes? daft - no, extremely intelligent and devious - most definitely?

[Paranoid Android]

Yes - the shopping trip and of the Flo waiting on them. Internet activity of buying the knife? The tattoo parlour - did they come forward or did the police visit here? After knowing that they had visited? But ultimately, as you say - they had their sights on LM, as the killer and he would naturally be under surveillance would he not? - for gathering evidence and that of safety of others? - But how much of threat is someone when they know they are already suspect in a murder. - Disturbed - yes? daft - no, extremely intelligent and devious - most definitely?

I actually have some knowledge on this, but I'm choosing not to share here.

[faithlilly]

I actually have some knowledge on this, but I'm choosing not to share here.

Then why allude to it?

Was there any evidence presented in court that Luke and his family were under surveillance apart from, of course, the FLO? Of course they could have been, anything is possible, but is there any evidence that they were?

[faithlilly]

Yes - the shopping trip and of the Flo waiting on them. Internet activity of buying the knife? The tattoo parlour - did they come forward or did the police visit here? After knowing that they had visited? But ultimately, as you say - they had their sights on LM, as the killer and he would naturally be under surveillance would he not? - for gathering evidence and that of safety of others? - But how much of threat is someone when they know they are already suspect in a murder. - Disturbed - yes? daft - no, extremely intelligent and devious - most definitely?

So many unanswered questions....so many alternative scenarios but, sod it, let’s go with the answer that’s most detrimental to Luke.

You’re exposing your bias Mr Parky !

[Brietta]

What is your source for Luke saying the woodburner had been lit? I think I read that as well, but can’t find the link. Do you have a cite or link?

Strange that Corinne denied that the burner had been lit. Anyone have a cite for this, with context and where and when it was said and under which circumstances?

There are many sources one of which I believe was said in evidence given at Mitchell's trial.

Snip
Mitchell told police that his mother Corinne and brother Shane were using the stove that night. Corinne said it was not being used and Shane was not able to say either way. "We also had reports from neighbours saying they had smelled burning coming from the Mitchell’s back garden that night," said Mr Dobbie.
https://www.scotsman.com/news/clues-snared-murderer-2470415