I FEEL SICK; JODI JONES: THE AFTERMATH EXCLUSIVE: Pal reveals cannabis smoking Mitchell used him as alibi an hour after Jodi was butchered.
Byline: LYNN McPHERSONA FRIEND of Luke Mitchell said yesterday he was sickened after the cold-blooded killer tried to use him as an alibi for the horrific murder of Jodi Jones.
David Tulloch smoked cannabis with Mitchell an hour after Jodi was slain.
The 17-year-old said: 'I feel sick that I spent any time in his company.'
Luke's apparent lack of guilt or any other emotion in the immediate aftermath of the killing was one of the most shocking factors to emerge at his trial.
After the bloody slaying, he walked to meet pals at Newbattle College - just half a mile from the murder scene.
Luke casually handed out cannabis and appeared not to have a care in the world as they smoked joints in the college grounds.
Police estimate Jodi was killed between 5pm and 5.45pm on June 30, 2003.
Tulloch and his friends went home thinking nothing unusual had taken place - but days later they were all questioned by police.
Tulloch gave evidence during a 41-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, as did several of his friends.
He said: 'Luke wasn't that talkative that evening but nothing he said or did made me think there was anything out of the ordinary.
'Looking back now I don't know how somebody of 14 was capable of what he did.
'I was just so shocked, especially when the police wanted to question all of us.
'I do feel angry because I think he was trying to use us to cover his back.
'He has got what he deserves and I'm just glad it's finished. But I suppose for Jodi's family it's just beginning.'
Tulloch and Mitchell shared a good mutual friend in David High. They were not bosom buddies but Tulloch revealed Luke was happy to pass cannabis around.
He said: 'That night I got a phone call from David High, who was pals with Luke.
'We went up to meet him at the college at about 7pm and we just mucked about.
'We were smoking hash - Luke always brought it. He always seemed to have enough to go round.
'We went to sit in the bunker just next to the college and smoked cannabis there.
'Then we went for a walk to a Tarzan swing past Luke's house and we mucked about on that for a bit.
'At about 9pm, myself and one of the other lads went home.'
Now, Tulloch realises he had smoked drugs with a vindictive killer who had only just removed the blood from his hands.
Meanwhile, the drug-dealer who was asked in court if he murdered Jodi has fled Dalkeith after Mitchell's family threatened him.
John Ferris, 18, is now living with his pregnant girlfriend's parents in an ex-council house in Girvan, Ayrshire.
Ferris admitted at the trial that he had supplied Mitchell 2oz of cannabis the day before Jodi was murdered.
Donald Findlay, QC, defending, asked Ferris if he murdered Jodi.
The small-time drugs dealer had been on the walkway where Jodi's body was discovered just half an hour before she was last seen.
Ferris denied any involvement but was threatened when he left court by Mitchell's elder brother, Shane.
Now he and his mother, Christine Walker, have had to flee their home in the Midlothian town.
Ferris is living with Stacey Carter, 19, and her parents and works for a construction company in Girvan.
He has told friends he can never return to Dalkeith. Ferris was convinced Mr Findlay was trying to use him to muddy the waters concerning his client's guilt.
Last night, Ferris reacted angrily to the fact that he had been tracked down. He said: 'Get away from here or you will get it.
'This is harassment. I want nothing to do with you.'
CAPTION(S):
Drugs: David, far left, was Mitchell's pal. Ferris, left, was his dealer
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| Publication: | Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland) |
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| Date: | Jan 23, 2005 |
| Words: | 641 |
| Previous Article: | Mark of the beast. |
| Next Article: | 7 lies nailed Luke; JODI JONES: THE AFTERMATH. |