‘A last chance to prove innocence’
Michael Stone’s defence lawyer claims fresh witnesses could cast doubt on the killer’s conviction.
Stone’s legal team received descriptions placing another man at the Chillenden murder scene – one with a striking similarity to notorious murderer Levi Bellfield.
Stone’s lawyer Paul Bacon is also calling on police to release a 66cm shoelace found at the scene and feared lost.
While forensic specialists carried out “exhaustive tests” on the lace over a decade ago, he believes modern tests may yield more clues which could support his client’s claims of innocence.
He said: “The shoelace was tied around one of the victims.”
Mr Bacon requested access to it from Kent Police in a letter dated May 25, but has not yet had a response. Police say all the evidence from the examinations was disclosed.
Bellfield was convicted in 2011 of the murder of 13-year-old Milly Dowler, who had disappeared on her way home from school in Walton-on-Thames in 2002.
When found guilty, Bellfield was already serving life sentences for the murders of Marsha McDonnell, 19, and Amélie Delagrange, 22, in West London. Both died of severe head injuries after being hit with a blunt instrument in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
Earlier this year Bellfield finally admitted to Milly’s murder after years of denial – and was said to have made further jail-cell confessions.
But he withdrew the confessions, dashing any hope Stone had that the serial killer might admit to the Russell murders too.
Mr Bacon is appealing for witnesses to get back in touch. “This is Michael Stone’s last chance to prove his innocence,” he said.
Anyone with information can call Mr Bacon on 07973 269033.