Levi Bellfield has admitted to murdering mother and daughter Lin and Megan Russell in 1996, it was reported last night.
In a harrowing four-page statement, the serial killer has formally confessed to the murders, providing chilling details of the attack.
I've always believed this case to be a miscarriage of justice on the scale of Barry George and (nearly) Colin Stagg, where the police are convinced they have the right person and refuse to accept any alternative suspect. I believe the Jeremy Bamber case is yet another.
It is believed the document has been sent to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) which has the power to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice.
Perhaps Professional Standards would be better off taking a look as well, given the lying and incompetence surrounding this case?
Last year it was reported that police had found a piece of evidence which had been lost for 14 years, that lawyers for Stone believe could be used to clear his name. The item, a long bootlace, was used to tie up one of the victims and was dropped by the killer and later found at the scene by detectives. A small part of the lace was tested for DNA at the time. But, with the processes still in their infancy, the tests came back inconclusive.
Lawyers for Stone have argued since 2007 for the whole lace to be tested. However, police have insisted that a large section of the lace no longer exists, having never been returned to police after forensic testing. Police then reportedly said the lace had been tested to the point of destruction 1998. According to the Sun, the larger lace section was recently found again - supposedly at a police station. The lace is reportedly being tested by the CCRC.
Is that, I wonder, why this confession has been made now?
And yes, as Longrider points out, if this is yet another such case, it does weaken the case for the death penalty. Or at least, restrict any future use to 'no doubt' cases like those of Michael Adebolajo.
I stand by my comment on the original blog.
ReplyDeleteJust to add, if Stone is released then he will get a huge payout. There's a motive for Bellfield and Stone to work together. Bellfield can't spend it but he could organise for his family to receive it. I've no idea if I'm right but these vermin spend 24 hours a day with nothing to do but try and beat the system.
Jaded
I remember thinking at the time of Stone's conviction that there was no real evidence putting him at the scene. IIRC the man was a mentally ill, drug addicted wrong 'un who happened to be handily placed geographically. Wasn't there a supposed "confession" to a cellmate as well? Always a major red flag.
ReplyDeleteThe only people who remained unconcerned by Michael Stone's conviction, were the police themselves. Shame on them for a classic lace-up with all the customary trimmings of lost and 'conveniently re-found' evidence. Bootlaces...lost by plod and then questionably 'rediscovered' by plod. But far less a 'lucky find' as it was dishonest play on a par with Oddjob's caddying.
ReplyDeleteBring back hanging? Reserve that to perverted, lying, uniformed scum.
"Just to add, if Stone is released then he will get a huge payout."
ReplyDeleteWill he? I'm not so sure. And if he does, it won't be quickly. And the HO will deduct 'bed and board' from it.
"I remember thinking at the time of Stone's conviction that there was no real evidence putting him at the scene."
Or DNA evidence in what must surely have been a very messy crime scene.
"Shame on them for a classic lace-up with all the customary trimmings of lost and 'conveniently re-found' evidence."
Yes, the parallels between this and the George case are troubling.