LUKE'S BROTHER CHANGED STORY OF DEATH DAY; Trial hears of 'mistake'.
Byline: Gordon McIlwraithTHE brother of murder accused Luke Mitchell changed his story about the time he arrived home on the day Jodi Jones was killed, a court heard yesterday.
Shane Mitchell, 23, initially told police he had returned to the house in Dalkeith, Midlothian, at 3.40pm.
But a few days later, he contacted a detective and admitted he had actually arrived back about 4.55pm.
The High Court in Edinburgh also heard that tests on Shane's computer revealed that porn websites had been accessed between 4.53pm and 5.16pm that day.
There were also 100 porn images stored on the computer.
Shane told Alan Turnbull, prosecuting, that he provided police with a 'very lengthy' statement three days after Jodi's death on June 30, 2003.
In it, he described what he did at home after arriving at 3.40pm.
But on July 7, Shane contacted the detective who had taken the first statement and changed his story.
He told the court: 'I wanted to make a second statement because there were errors in my first one.'
Shane said he was questioned by police on the day Luke was arrested last April. Officers told Shane they suspected he had deliberately given them false information.
Shane said he had visited Luke two or three times since he was arrested.
Luke, 16, denies murdering 14-year-old Jodi near the Roan's Dyke path in Dalkeith.
He has lodged two special defences, one of alibi and one of incrimination.
Luke Mitchell also denies carrying a knife or knives and supplying cannabis.
The trial was adjourned yesterday after a member of the jury fell ill.
Shane is expected to be in the witness box again today when the trial resumes.
CAPTION(S):
KILLED: Jodi Jones
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
|---|---|
| Date: | Jan 11, 2005 |
| Words: | 290 |
| Previous Article: | Cars key to capital. |
| Next Article: | Plenty more fish in the sea, Geri. |