Part 2: Luke Mitchell was 14 when his girlfriend, 14-year-old Jodi Jones, was murdered near

Dalkeith in June 2003. This episode covers the trial, conviction, and the fight over his

freedom that’s still playing out today.

Mitchell stood trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in late 2004. On 21 January 2005, aged

16, he was found guilty and sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years. The judge called it

“a truly evil murder.” He has always denied involvement and has lost every appeal since — in

2008, 2011, and beyond, including a bid to have his case referred to the UK Supreme Court.

Channel 5’s 2021 documentary Murder in a Small Town reignited public interest, and a

campaign — now backed by a 25,000+ signature petition — continues to argue he was

wrongly convicted.

Mitchell became eligible for parole in April 2024. The Parole Board refused release, citing an

inability to fully assess risk. He took the Parole Board to judicial review, winning the right to

a hearing in January 2025 — but in February 2025, the Court of Session ruled against him,

and the original refusal stood. A fresh parole hearing was postponed in April 2025, and his

mother launched a legal fundraising appeal in September 2025.

Jodi’s family have been consistent: they oppose his release and say they fear for other

women if he’s freed.

This is a case that’s still moving. We’ll flag anywhere the facts are contested, and update if

anything changes before this goes live.

Contains discussion of the murder of a child. Listener discretion advised.

Sources: BBC, STV News, Scottish Daily Express, Wikipedia (Murder of Jodi Jones), and

reporting from the Luke Mitchell Campaign (presented as advocacy, not neutral fact).

#CaledonianCrime #TrueCrime #Scotland #JodiJones #LukeMitchell

*music by leberch from pixabay