The murder of 14 year-old schoolgirl Jodi Jones near Edinburgh on 30 June 2003

[Stephanie]

I see, so you'll ignore my questions and comments, but still feel perfectly justified in demanding answers from me that you've already said you're going to ignore. Not sure how that's going to work!

You did make me smile, though... "If you stand so strongly behind your arguments...." Really??? More than 12 years down the line, and you use "if." And, just for clarity, your opinion of me is none of my business - I came here to discuss Luke's case with people who seemed to be interested in discussing it - if that's not you, no worries!

You make me smile too  The word cockaloram springs to mind. 

Btw; you didn't stand behind the stance of innocence last year. Even pointing out some of your concerns regarding this 'waver.'

[Stephanie]

I don't know, and it's none of my business. Why presume he is "worried" about anything? Do you know how many people end up suffering PTSD following events such as these?
 
 Let's not pllay silly games. It was ill conceived because the reaction, when the news was leaked to the media, was predictable, and did nothing to further his cause.

Doesn't matter, remember? Credibility etc!

But it may mean he's innocent because the circumstances may be different. Having a clearer idea of what really went on in both cases would help people come to informed conclusions - that can surely only be a positive step?

So Luke asked for books on Satan because he is suffering from PTSD is that what you are suggesting?

[sandra L]

Thanks, that was exactly what I was getting at. I truly wish I could just come down on one side and that's why I ask so many questions, hoping to sure up my opinion.

The conviction is troubling though. I'll happily say that.

This is why I do what I do, Baz (although not to the extent I once did - I simply don't have the time or energy any more). For me, there's a pile of information about how police investigations and prosecution procedures deviate from what we expect, and what we think we know about them, and I think it's important that more people are made aware of that, because wrongful accusation and conviction could so easily happen to any one of us.

[sandra L]

So Luke asked for books on Satan because he is suffering from PTSD is that what you are suggesting?

No. Please read your own posts, and my responses to them. The PTSD reference was in response to your questions about what Shane does or doesn't do, and why. Interesting series of "non responses" to my posts though.

[Stephanie]

This is why I do what I do, Baz (although not to the extent I once did - I simply don't have the time or energy any more). For me, there's a pile of information about how police investigations and prosecution procedures deviate from what we expect, and what we think we know about them, and I think it's important that more people are made aware of that, because wrongful accusation and conviction could so easily happen to any one of us.

Making people aware of 'a pile of information about how police investigations and prosecution procedures deviate from what we expect' is one thing - what we actually do about it (And how we do it) to bring about change is entirely different.....

[Stephanie]

No. Please read your own posts, and my responses to them. The PTSD reference was in response to your questions about what Shane does or doesn't do, and why. Interesting series of "non responses" to my posts though.

So you were suggesting Shane suffers with PTSD?

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

[sandra L]

So you were suggesting Shane suffers with PTSD?

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument

No, I was offering that as a possible explanation for Shane not commenting/campaigning publicly. Not sure what the irony/sarcasm bit means - I was using neither.

You make me smile too  The word cockaloram springs to mind. 

Btw; you didn't stand behind the stance of innocence last year. Even pointing out some of your concerns regarding this 'waver.'

I would have been a fool to have accepted, without question, everything that has come my way over the years - I had to question everything, doubt everything, re-think everything over and over again - there have been many times I have had to re-examine everything I thought I knew in light of new developments - that is the nature of this work, and always will be. I'd have thought, given your experiences, you, too, would understand that. Just as a reminder, your opinion of me is none of my business.

[Stephanie]

I would have been a fool to have accepted, without question, everything that has come my way over the years - I had to question everything, doubt everything, re-think everything over and over again - there have been many times I have had to re-examine everything I thought I knew in light of new developments - that is the nature of this work, and always will be. I'd have thought, given your experiences, you, too, would understand that. Just as a reminder, your opinion of me is none of my business.

Pray tell me 'my experiences?' Telepathy another of your 'masterful' talents 

Strikes me how you do indeed avoid answering direct questions and instead divert to something else.

Who killed Jodi Jones? If Luke Mitchell is innocent A N Other is responsible! Who ?

[Stephanie]

Shane Mitchell's silence speaks volumes in my opinion. Why doesn't he write a statement, in his own words, supporting what you and others say about him? What is he worried about?

I don't know, and it's none of my business. Why presume he is "worried" about anything? Do you know how many people end up suffering PTSD following events such as these?

So you were suggesting Shane suffers with PTSD?

No. Please read your own posts, and my responses to them. The PTSD reference was in response to your questions about what Shane does or doesn't do, and why

No, I was offering that as a possible explanation for Shane not commenting/campaigning publicly.

I'm baffled?

[Stephanie]

Having a clearer idea of what really went on in both cases would help people come to informed conclusions - that can surely only be a positive step?

Where would you like to start? How about childhood development? http://library.allanschore.com/docs/AttachMurderHeide06.pdf

Have you been following the Becky Watts murder trial?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/19/becky-watts-suspect-nathan-matthews-spoiled-selfish

[Stephanie]

I would make it your business to find out why Shane hasn't publicly supported Luke and why he hasn't made a statement in relation to his factual evidence.....

[Baz]

This is why I do what I do, Baz (although not to the extent I once did - I simply don't have the time or energy any more). For me, there's a pile of information about how police investigations and prosecution procedures deviate from what we expect, and what we think we know about them, and I think it's important that more people are made aware of that, because wrongful accusation and conviction could so easily happen to any one of us.

It's a terrifying prospect. Especially with the Marilyn Manson CDs stored unde my bed (unplayed for a decade probably) and notes about Luke Mitchell on my iPad. All damning evidence.

[Stephanie]

It's a terrifying prospect. Especially with the Marilyn Manson CDs stored unde my bed (unplayed for a decade probably) and notes about Luke Mitchell on my iPad. All damning evidence.

Do you have another account here under the name Suzie by any chance?

[Stephanie]

It has character, I like it.
I just like the name Suzie.

This site is huge, is there somewhere you can read the main points of the JB case ? Been reading through the threads and I am a little confused!

(apologies, off topic )

Edited for clarity

Only some of yours posts are extremely similar to Suzies posts?

To anyone interested - it's worth reading the first few pages of this thread. 'Baz & Suzie' even have a similar sense of humour 

[Stephanie]

This statement intrigues me.

Yet Shane has a different take on things.

Luke's brother admits mum aided evidence
Source: Evening News - Scotland
Date: 1/13/2005

THE brother of Jodi Jones murder accused Luke Mitchell today admitted discussing his police statement with his mother before telling police Luke was in the family's house on the day the schoolgirl was killed.

In a statement given to police on July 7, 2003, Shane Mitchell said he recalled seeing his brother in the kitchen "mashing tatties".

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that his mother had given a statement the previous day also claiming that Luke was in the kitchen that evening "cooking pies and mashing potatoes". But the jury previously heard that when Shane was questioned by police on April 14 last year he said he had not seen Luke in the house on the evening of June 30, 2003, and that he had been looking at pornography on his computer in his bedroom.

Advocate depute Alan Turnbull, QC, prosecuting, read sections of Shane's statement from July 7 to the jury. In his statement he told police that he remembered his mother's car being in the driveway and the front door being open.

His statement continued: "I went into the hallway and shouted out and then went upstairs to the bathroom to wash my hands. About five minutes later I came straight back down. When I was in the bathroom I left the door open.

"Afterwards I went downstairs into the living-room, then into the kitchen. Luke was standing at the cooker mashing tatties. I could smell burnt steak pies. I did not mention the smell because I did not want to insult him.

"He was pretty happy. I spoke to him, then my mother. That was the first time I had seen my mother that day and I was talking to her about how her day had been." The court heard that Shane then went upstairs to log on to his computer but was called down for dinner by Luke five minutes later.

Mr Turnbull asked Mr Mitchell: "I want to understand how it came to be that you make this reference to police about mashing tatties." Mr Turnbull then read out to the court the section of Mrs Mitchell's statement given on the previous day to Shane's. She said in her statement: "When I got home Luke was in the kitchen first of all. Luke then strained the potatoes and mashed them. At that point I think Shane came in and I could smell the pies in the oven and I asked one of them to take them out, commenting that Luke had overdone them."

Mr Turnbull then asked Mr Mitchell: "When you came to give your statement the very next day it includes reference to you saying that Luke was mashing the tatties and there being a burning smell."

Mr Mitchell agreed. Mr Turnbull then asked: "How can it be you gave information to police which was incorrect and then give information about mashing tatties and burnt pies.

"Before you gave that statement did you discuss with anyone what you should say to police?"

Mr Mitchell replied: "In a way."

Mr Turnbull said: "Who".

Mitchell replied: "My mother."

Mr Mitchell then admitted he had been affected by this discussion with his mother. "If it had not been for that discussion with your mother would you have been able to give any of this evidence to police?" Mr Turnbull asked.

"Not really," replied Mr Mitchell.

Asked what his mother had said to him after giving her statement Mr Mitchell replied: "She said to me: 'You came in and Luke was with us and we had tatties for dinner, then you went back out again.'"

Mr Mitchell told the court that he was "extremely shaken" when he gave his statement to police.

Luke Mitchell denies murdering Jodi on June 30, 2003 at a wooded area near Roan's Dyke, between the Newbattle and Easthouses areas of Dalkeith. The trial continues

Here's a recap re Shane's evidence.

Maybe this is why he doesn't speak out publicly anymore?