Luke Mitchell’s bid to challenge a parole denial was rejected. Concerns about fairness and a risk assessment were dismissed.
Mitchell wanted a delay to speak to his lawyer about a risk assessment report. He had a limited version of the report, while the parole board had the full version. The board chose to ignore the report. Other evidence led them to keep Mitchell in jail.
Mitchell’s lawyer said the board should have used it. He felt Mitchell needed the full report. The board’s choice was unlawful, he argued, even if the report hurt his case.
The parole board’s lawyer said they acted legally. Mitchell thought the report writer was biased and even reported the doctor. He didn’t see why Mitchell wanted it considered, calling the report flawed.
Lady Haldane rejected Mitchell’s arguments in her written judgment on Wednesday. She said the process wasn’t unfair. Since the reports weren’t used to assess risk, she wrote that this followed rules and wasn’t unfair.
The panel used their skills and experience. They ignored the reports’ details and reached a decision using other information. She wrote that this wasn’t procedurally unfair. Mitchell likely feels bad about the decision.
Mitchell murdered Jodi Jones near her home in 2003, when he was 14. He got at least 20 years before parole and had dated Jodi for four months before killing her. A judge called it “a truly evil murder”.
Jodi didn’t return home one evening. Mitchell said his dog found her body with her hands tied, her throat cut, and her body slashed. Police investigated for ten months before Mitchell was convicted in 2005 at age 16.
He has lost four appeals since and has online supporters who think he’s innocent. A TV show aired about him in 2021. After parole was denied, a relative of Jodi spoke, saying women would be in danger if he were free.
Mitchell went to jail in February 2005 and was eligible for parole last April, with the time before his trial counted. He believed the board cared more about Jodi’s family, leading him to want the hearing delayed because of the report.
He could still speak to a lawyer by phone but felt the victim impacted the board. The board must have another hearing before April to review all evidence. Lady Haldane stated she would refuse his request, reserving all questions of expense at that time.