Jodi Jones murderer Luke Mitchell claims he was framed in new Channel 5 documentary

Convicted murderer Luke Mitchell claims he was framed in a new two-part television series investigating the death of Jodi Jones.

Channel 5’s Murder in a Small Town, which starts next Wednesday at 9pm, re-examines the case against Mitchell, the teenager convicted of brutally murdering his girlfriend in 2003.

Two former detectives reopen the case in the documentary and claim to have uncovered details of other male DNA found at the crime scene, and new information about another male from a witness living in the area at the time.

In the second episode, Mitchell and his mother, Corinne, take a lie detector test.

Mitchell, now 32, insists he did not murder 14-year-old Jodi in woods near Easthouses, Midlothian, 18 years ago.

In phone calls from jail, he said: “I was the local weirdo. It was easy to put on me.”

Mitchell, who at the time was 14, also claims two police officers tried to bully him into admitting he killed his girlfriend Jodi by telling him: “Confess you little b*****d.”

In the documentary he insists he was framed for the murder and would never admit to it - even if it meant an immediate release.

Convicted killer Luke Mitchell claims he was framed in a new two-part Channel 5 documentary.

Tragic Jodi was found in woodland near her home in Easthouses, in 2003. Her hands had been tied behind her back, her throat cut and her body repeatedly slashed.

Mitchell told the Channel 5 documentary: “I can’t be more clear. I absolutely did not kill Jodi and I’ve been locked up for a crime I didn’t commit. I will not admit to something I’ve not done. I want to clear my name."

Mitchell was convicted of murder in 2005 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and was ordered to serve at least 20 years in prison.

Mitchell has had four previous attempts to overturn his conviction. Two were rejected on appeal and a bid to have his case referred to the UK Supreme Court was turned down at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Another appeal was refused by miscarriage of justice investigators at the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission.

In the Channel 5 programme, Mitchell tells how he found Jodi while searching for her with other locals, including family, after she disappeared.

The documentary also follows former police detectives John Sallens and Michael Neil as they re-examine the case.

They say there was only circumstantial evidence and an apparent sighting of teens by witness who drove past at 30mph.

The team concludes there is more evidence pointing to other suspects being responsible. One of the former cops claims Mitchell “suffered a serious miscarriage of justice” and was let down by the legal system.

A forensic scientist, professor Allan Jamieson, also casts doubt on whether Mitchell killed Jodi and says in this case there is insufficient evidence for a conviction.

Detective Chief Superintendent Laura Thomspn said: “Following the discovery of Jodi Jones’ body, a thorough investigation was conducted by Lothian and Borders Police. Extensive forensic analysis was carried out along with door-to-door inquiries and other investigative techniques.

“As a result, Luke Mitchell, was charged with Jodi’s murder, before being convicted in 2005.

“We are satisfied we do not need to trace any other individuals in connection with this investigation.”

Murder in a Small Town airs on Channel 5 at 9pm next Wednesday and Thursday.

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