Family of murdered teen react with fury as killer set to apply for parole

05 March 2024 , 09:33

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Jodi Jones, 14, who was found murdered June 2003 near her home in Dalkeith (Image: PA)

The family of a murdered teenager are furious amid reports her killer is set to apply for parole.

Luke Mitchell is eligible to bid for freedom in April this year after serving almost 20 years in prison for the brutal killing of his then 14-year-old girlfriend Jodi Jones. Her family have said: “Until he admits his guilt and shows some remorse for her death, he should never be set free.” Mitchell was convicted of murdering the teen in Dalkeith in June 2003.

The victim had been stripped, tied up and stabbed to death. Her throat was also slit during the horrific murder and her mutilated body was found dumped in woods near to her home. Killer Mitchell has continued to protest his innocence and his campaign gained momentum in 2021 after Channel 5 broadcast a documentary called Murder in a Small Town which appeared to contradict the official investigation by police.

Luke Mitchell was convicted of murder (PA)

Mitchell is eligible for parole next month (PA)

Sources close to Mitchell said the killer, who was moved from Greenock to Shotts in 2021, said he is set to apply in April for parole and are confident he will be released. The source told the Daily Record: "He was being prepared for release until he failed a couple of drug tests and was being treated badly by the prison service but now we think he stands a good chance of parole. April is the earliest he can apply and he will be making that application. It will be 20 years since he was first arrested. It's time he was let out."

But Jodi's family hit back at the suggestion he was "ready" for re-integration back into society. A relative, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals by campaigners, said: "He is nowhere near ready. He has never admitted his guilt or shown any remorse for Jodi's death. Instead the last few years have been tarred by accusations that have hurt the family and brought further heartache to us. The campaign to have him released has seen Jodi and her family's name dragged through the mud. If this man was released back into society, he would be a danger. He has shown nothing but arrogance recently.

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The schoolgirl's body was discovered in a wooded area behind a school in Dalkeith (PA)

The family member added: "We will be making a strong representation to the parole board should he apply that Luke Mitchell should not be released from prison until he admits his guilt and show's he is sorry for the hurt and grief he has caused and remorse for murdering Jodi."

Jodi's family, who have been subjected to horrendous abuse by Mitchell's campaigners, have previously called them "deluded" and said they believe that the case against him was "solid." The relative said the news he was planning to launch a bid for parole has caused more stress for her close family.They added: "The campaigners have all but blamed dozens of people for her murder except the man found guilty in court. If he is let out, it will be the biggest slap in the face to the Jones family after all they've been through."

The 34-year-old has launched several appeals against his conviction. His supporters believe he could be exonerated by DNA tests, claiming at least 10 samples on Jodi’s body were never tested. scotland>Police Scotland and the Crown Office have both previously said there was no miscarriage of justice.

Ryan Merrifield