Mix-up adds further delays to Jodi killer's conviction appeal

LUKE Mitchell's attempt to continue to challenge his conviction for the murder of schoolgirl Jodi Jones has been put off again.

Mitchell, 21, appeared briefly at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh yesterday to hear that crossed wires had prevented a planned hearing going ahead.

Mitchell's legal team thought they were there for a "procedural matter" to decide the next court date. But judges had come prepared to rule on whether Mitchell – who has already lost an appeal against conviction – should be allowed to reopen the question of DNA evidence.

Four similar attempts to reopen appeals have already been knocked back.

Lord Gill, sitting with Lord Hardie and Lady Cosgrove, agreed to continue the legal debate over Mitchell to another day – when they will also consider whether his minimum sentence of 20 years should stand.

The legal question dates back to last year.

No date has been fixed for the next hearing.