THE LUKE MITCHELL TRIAL

W hilst perhaps simply academic, the question which has troubled, is why, if belonging to our enigmatic 'skunting' knife, bought on 4 December, 2003, Luke had written on the pouch, shown in court: JJ 1989 - 2003 Plus, of course, "666", within the fish emblem and also reportedly written on the other side, of which we do not appear to have a photograph. "THE FINEST DAY I EVER HAD, WAS WHEN TOMORROW NEVER CAME!" (note the added exclamation mark), is an acknowledgement to a journal entry from one of Jodi Jones and Luke's shared, favourite artists, the late Kurt Cobain. A similar version, in exactly the same writing style, was shown in court, from one of Luke's school jotters. The pouch was uncovered during a search of Luke's house, on the day of his arrest, 14 April, 2004. Also found, was a copy order form, relating to items purchased in 4 December, 2003, from a 'Joe Brown and Co." catalogue, including one written down as, "SKUNTING KNI

The trial transcripts for DC Alan Towers are now perhaps recognised as potent ially of major importance. These transcripts cover two days of court appearances, on 17 December, 2004 and 20 December, 2004. However, they were not transcribed until September, 2013, much later than the others we have seen - typically 2007 and 2008. It is not certain how much of the contents might be previously, largely unknown. Firstly, quoting from the trial transcripts of DC Alan Towers, when questioned by QC Alan Turnbull. At this point, Turnbull requests that they consider the recorded testimony of Luke Mitchell, taken by Towers at Dalkeith police station, directly after events: Turnbull: I wonder if we could read on from there, then, and let's just begin at that passage, "I got home about twenty to five to ten." Towers: Yes. Turnbull: "I got home about twenty five to ten. David High phoned me part of the way home. When I was in my room about twenty past, half past ten", in brack

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As someone with over 20 years of experience in various, detailed, historical research undertakings and often resulting in major new findings, publicised world-wide, I understand the importance of original case evidence. Frequently, what has subsequently been reported, is factually erroneous and in later y ears, often incorporates a one-dimensional spin. Literally, "pouring over witness testimonies", is a vital component. In the Luke Mitchell case, it was the absence of actual trial transcripts, which was frustrating and thus reliant on either contemporary newspaper reports, or ensuing publications and documentaries which promoted a specific agenda - our potential miscarriage of justice. However, the asserted unavailability of trial documentation, primarily, if not exclusively, from Luke's representative and  author, Sandra Lean, existed for many years, even until October 2023 and a myth only dispelled, around the same time. Whilst unlikely they will reveal any material, 

Trial transcript are continually being obtained, at their own expense, by prominent supporters regarding a potential miscarriage of justice and simply wishing the facts to be fully open, rather than a selective publication, often bearing a preconceived agenda. One example of actual trial proceedings being signed off, is statedly certified: "...in terms of Section 94(7) of the Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1995 that this transcript is a correct and complete transcript of part of the record..." etc. It is dated 12 January, 2007. Despite Sandra Lean's proclamations otherwise, have trial transcripts, only revealed now, in truth, been available to us all for 16 years and at no more than a copying/admin fee, working out to be approx.60p per page? Yet, as we know, only recently, Sandra Lean still vehemently asserted that obtaining copies were impossible and even if, would cost circa £60,000. See the true, factual background, in my  8 November blog , regarding same.

Newly available online and further enabling a factual perspective. I believe more will follow, shortly and cover a targeted, significant three day trial period. I also understand this is because it was all which was affordable to the purchaser(s), long-standing campaigner(s), questioning the evidential basis for Luke's conviction. Regrettably, this fundamentally relates to Sandra Lean's 29 October, 2023 YouTube video, in which Sandra castigates "mischief makers", implying that a call for funding to purchase transcripts, at enormous expense of having the trial proceeds transcribed - quoting a figure of circa £60,000 to Bob Ruff, in our 15 October, 2023 podcast - was undermining the 'campaign'. Plus, they were not available anyway, Sandra just previously having cited, in detail, obsolete, 1993 legislation, which said so. There was never any request for a collective funding, as it had suddenly been realised by Luke's supporters, that trial transcripts were ac