Luke Mitchell, convicted of Jodi Jones murder, fails in legal bid against parole following concerns about a risk assessment report.
A report assessed his danger to the public. Mitchell only had a partial version of that report. The parole board had the full report.
The judge learned the board didn’t use the report. They used different evidence to keep Mitchell in jail. The board wouldn’t stop the hearing. Mitchell’s lawyer said this was wrong. He wanted his client to see the full report.
The lawyer claimed the board’s choice was unlawful. He said this even though the report hurt Mitchell’s case. Jodi Jones’s name then appeared.
The board’s lawyers said they acted legally. A doctor wrote the report. Mitchell thinks this doctor is biased. He reported the doctor to the medical council. The lawyer couldn’t see how the report aided Mitchell.
Mitchell thought the report had flaws. Still, he thought it was unfair of them to ignore it. The judge rejected Mitchell’s lawyer’s arguments. She saw no unfair procedure in this case. The reports criticized Mitchell. He also criticized the reports greatly.
The reports weren’t used in the risk assessment. This followed rules strictly, she said. The judge saw no unfairness to Mitchell. She thinks the panel members are skilled and experienced. They set aside the reports from their minds.
They reached a verdict using other things. Again, she thought the process was fair. Mitchell probably resents the outcome. That’s normal from his point of view. His resentment doesn’t make process unfair.
Mitchell killed Jodi in 2003, near her home. He received a minimum 20-year sentence then. He dated Jodi four months before he murdered her. The judge called it a truly evil murder.
Jodi didn’t come home one evening soon after. Mitchell said his dog found her body. Her hands were tied; her throat was cut. Her body had many slashes. He was convicted in 2005 after an inquiry.
He lost several appeals afterwards later. A documentary in 2021 created online support. One victim’s relative feared his release. She called him a very dangerous killer. She wanted him to stay locked up.
Mitchell was jailed in 2005. He became eligible for parole last April, though. Remand time counts toward his sentence. Mitchell felt the board cared more for his victim. He wanted to win his freedom from jail.
He wanted the hearing delayed initially. The parole board could access a full risk report. He only knew of a limited form of it there. Mitchell could at least speak to a lawyer on the phone. He felt the board cared more about another victim’s feelings.
The lawyer stated the parole board must hold another hearing. This new board reconsiders all evidence before April next year. The judge rejected Mitchell’s requests totally. She reserved all later expense questions then.