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New evidence may link Levi Bellfield to Russell murders, say lawyers New evidence may link Levi Bellfield to Russell murders, say lawyers
(about 3 hours later)
New evidence could link the serial killer Levi Bellfield to the hammer murders of a woman and her young daughter, lawyers acting for a man twice convicted of the killings believe. New evidence may implicate the serial killer Levi Bellfield in the Chillenden murders and exonerate the man who has spent the Past 19 years behind bars after being convicted of committing them, a lawyer has claimed.
Michael Stone is serving three life sentences for bludgeoning to death Lin Russell and her daughter Megan, six, in an attack near Chillenden, Kent, in 1996. Russell’s other daughter, Josie, nine, suffered severe head injuries and the family’s dog, Lucy, was killed in the attack. Michael Stone is serving three life sentences for the murders of Lin Russell and her six-year-old daughter, Megan, as well as the attempted murder of Lin’s nine-year-old daughter, Josie, in 1996.
Stone has always maintained his innocence and has fought a protracted legal battle to clear his name. Now his legal team say they will present new evidence on Wednesday that they claim points to Milly Dowler’s killer, Bellfield. On Wednesday, Stone’s barrister, Mark McDonald, claimed fresh evidence had emerged. “There is now new and compelling evidence which proves that he [Stone] was not responsible for these awful crimes. The evidence suggests that the person responsible is Levi Bellfield, the convicted murderer of three women, including Milly Dowler,” his firm, 33 Bedford Row, said.
The lawyers said: “There is now new and compelling evidence which proves that he [Stone] was not responsible for these awful crimes. The evidence suggests that the person responsible is Levi Bellfield, the convicted murderer of three women including Milly Dowler.” McDonald added: “This evidence needs to tested by the court of appeal and, if believed, will lead to the largest miscarriage of justice since the Birmingham Six.” He said he would outline the evidence at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, claiming it points instead to Bellfield.
Stone’s barrister, Mark McDonald, said: “This evidence needs to tested by the court of appeal and, if believed, will lead to the largest miscarriage of justice since the Birmingham Six.” The Russells were bludgeoned to death in rural Kent in 1996 by a man wielding a hammer. Josie suffered severe head injuries, but survived, and the family’s dog, Lucy, was also killed.
Stone was convicted over the attack in 1998 but he has always maintained his innocence and has fought a protracted legal battle to clear his name.
It is not the first time Stone’s legal representatives have pointed the finger at Bellfield. In 2011, his solicitor, Paul Bacon, claimed Milly’s killer was a better match for an e-fit of the suspect issued during the police manhunt.It is not the first time Stone’s legal representatives have pointed the finger at Bellfield. In 2011, his solicitor, Paul Bacon, claimed Milly’s killer was a better match for an e-fit of the suspect issued during the police manhunt.
In a two-part BBC documentary aired in May, a panel of independent experts re-examined the evidence and suggested another suspect.In a two-part BBC documentary aired in May, a panel of independent experts re-examined the evidence and suggested another suspect.
Stone was told in 2006 that he must spend a minimum of 25 years behind bars for the attack on Russell, 45, and her daughters as they walked home from a swimming gala in July 1996.Stone was told in 2006 that he must spend a minimum of 25 years behind bars for the attack on Russell, 45, and her daughters as they walked home from a swimming gala in July 1996.
Josie survived her injuries and grew up with her father, Shaun Russell, in Wales, becoming an artist.Josie survived her injuries and grew up with her father, Shaun Russell, in Wales, becoming an artist.
In November last year, the Metropolitan police closed an investigation into serious crimes allegedly involving Bellfield, saying all lines of inquiry had been exhausted and officers had found no evidence linking him to cases for which he had not already been convicted.In November last year, the Metropolitan police closed an investigation into serious crimes allegedly involving Bellfield, saying all lines of inquiry had been exhausted and officers had found no evidence linking him to cases for which he had not already been convicted.
Stone was convicted of murder and attempted murder in October 1998. Appeal court judges quashed the convictions in 2001 after doubts were raised about a key witness, but Stone was convicted again at a second trial and, in October 2001, was given three life sentences. Appeal court judges quashed Stone’s original convictions in 2001 after doubts were raised about a key witness, but he was convicted again at a second trial and, in October 2001, was given three life sentences.
Stone was convicted on the evidence of Damien Daley, who admitted in the witness box that he had lied during the first trial, but not in relation to the detail of what Stone killer had told him. Daley said Stone confessed to the hammer murders through a heating pipe into the next cell at Canterbury prison.Stone was convicted on the evidence of Damien Daley, who admitted in the witness box that he had lied during the first trial, but not in relation to the detail of what Stone killer had told him. Daley said Stone confessed to the hammer murders through a heating pipe into the next cell at Canterbury prison.
There was no forensic evidence against Stone, who pleaded not guilty and who maintained throughout that his cellmate was lying about his confession.There was no forensic evidence against Stone, who pleaded not guilty and who maintained throughout that his cellmate was lying about his confession.
Bellfield, who now calls himself Yusuf Rahim, is serving a whole-life tariff after being found guilty in 2011 of abducting and killing Milly. The 13-year-old was snatched from the street while on her way home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.Bellfield, who now calls himself Yusuf Rahim, is serving a whole-life tariff after being found guilty in 2011 of abducting and killing Milly. The 13-year-old was snatched from the street while on her way home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002.
At the time of the trial, Bellfield was already in jail for the murders of Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy. In 2008, he was given a whole-life term for the murders of McDonnell, 19, in 2003, and Delagrange, 22, in 2004 and the attempted murder of Sheedy, 18, in 2004.At the time of the trial, Bellfield was already in jail for the murders of Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy. In 2008, he was given a whole-life term for the murders of McDonnell, 19, in 2003, and Delagrange, 22, in 2004 and the attempted murder of Sheedy, 18, in 2004.