Justice in Doubt: Russell Murders Re-Examination

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has launched a comprehensive three-pronged investigation into the murder convictions of Michael Stone. These convictions stem from the brutal 1996 hammer attacks that killed Lin Russell and her six-year-old daughter Megan in Kent, while the elder daughter, Josie, survived. Stone was arrested and subsequently convicted despite no DNA evidence placing him at the scene, leading many to question the integrity of the original trial. The CCRC's renewed scrutiny is focusing on multiple avenues. A key element involves re-evaluating the testimony of Damien Daley, a prosecution witness who claimed Stone confessed to the murders in a jail cell. Daley's account was considered pivotal by the judge in Stone's 2001 retrial. The commission also intends to utilize advanced forensic techniques to re-examine evidence collected from the crime scene. Furthermore, the investigation is exploring the potential involvement of Levi Bellfield, the convicted killer of Milly Dowler, who Stone himself has implicated. This extensive review is occurring on the cusp of the 30th anniversary of the tragic events, potentially reopening deep wounds and challenging a long-standing judicial outcome.