The serial killer Levi Bellfield will have his DNA taken as part of an investigation into whether Michael Stone was wrongly convicted of the 1996 murders of Lin and Megan Russell. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) will obtain a sample from Bellfield, who is serving whole-life tariffs for three murders and one attempted murder.
Background of the case
Michael Stone has maintained his innocence since his 1998 conviction for killing Lin Russell, 45, and her six-year-old daughter Megan in Chillenden, Kent. Megan’s sister Josie, then nine, survived a vicious attack with a claw hammer. The CCRC is investigating following Bellfield’s claims that he was the real killer.
DNA testing advances
Advances in DNA science may allow previously unidentified male genetic material left at the crime scene to be linked to an individual. The CCRC stated: “We intend to obtain a sample from Mr Bellfield. No date has been set for this.” Bellfield’s solicitor, Theresa Clark, said: “I’m sure he’d agree to the DNA test. He’s going to cooperate.”
Stone’s application to CCRC
As part of Stone’s application, his own DNA was taken by investigators on Thursday. Exhibits from the original crime scene still available include part of a shoelace believed used to bind victims, and sticks. However, a lunchbox containing a bloody fingerprint has been lost. Karen Todner, Stone’s solicitor, said: “There’s a whole range of things that can be done now.”
DNA evidence at the scene
Todner explained that previous DNA testing showed two categories of male DNA at the murder scene. Some could be identified as belonging to Lin’s husband, Shaun, but other male DNA remained unidentified. “There is male DNA on some of the items,” she said. “New techniques possibly allow this to be matched to a person.”
Other suspect and key witness
Stone’s application to the CCRC names another suspect besides Bellfield. The key witness against Stone was Damien Daly, who claimed Stone confessed to him in prison. Daly was later convicted of a separate murder. Todner noted: “The only evidence against him is from a person serving life for murder and whom the jury in that case disbelieved. There is nothing else against Michael Stone.”
Bellfield’s credibility
Bellfield has confessed to the Russell murders, retracted his admission, and confessed again. He has also admitted to at least six other attacks on women in London and Surrey where victims survived, and claimed to have murdered Elizabeth Chau, who disappeared in 1999. The Metropolitan Police disbelieved that confession and refused to dig for a body. Stone’s original convictions were overturned, but a second jury convicted him again. The CCRC has faced criticism for failures, including in the Andrew Malkinson case.
