UK - Lin, 45, & Megan Russell, 6, Chillenden, Kent, 9 July 1996

[sl77]

I think this is another one of those cases where people confuse ‘things that make someone an interesting suspect’ with ‘evidence that they did the crime’, isn’t it.

Stone’s conviction has never sat right with me. But I don’t think he’ll ever be released. The public just doesn’t seem to have the appetite for miscarriage of justice cases anymore. My theory is the MOJ movement back in the day was almost *too* successful - some of the men being freed were either probably actually guilty, or if innocent then not exactly individuals the public could warm to. Meanwhile the state grew tired of seeing police and the justice system being (often rightly) torn to shreds, and set about rigging the game in their favour again.

Unfortunately for Stone he just missed the bus.

I watched the BBC documentary on this case again last night - it’s available on iPlayer for anyone that hasn’t seen it - and it’s difficult for me to imagine the corporation making such a programme today. Which is a shame as it’s excellent.

Not sure I agree RE BBC:

The Wrong Man: 17 Years Behind Bars

Fighting to prove his innocence, Andrew Malkinson tells the shocking story of how he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for a horrific crime he didn’t commit.

www.bbc.co.uk

That was made last year.

Stone's problem is he was arrested during a time when police stitched people up and we didn't have the cameras/phones etc to help provide alibis and evidence.

The CPS should not be allowed to prosecute for murder based solely on a "confession".

 

[rvlvr]

The difference there though is surely that Malkinson had been freed - in that documentary, the BBC are telling the story of his wrongful conviction.

I searched the BBC’s website and the earliest article I could find mentioning AM was from 2023. Probably because it’s a lot easier to talk about convictions that have been quashed than it is to suggest that someone has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice - particularly if, as in Stone’s case, that someone isn’t palatable and is doing time for child murder. JMO, I think the BBC is a much more timid organisation today than it was a decade ago.

That said, I hadn’t realised, when I previously posted, that the CCRC are still looking at Stone’s case. Ignoring that the CCRC clearly isn’t fit for purpose, perhaps he still has a glimmer of hope?