Russell Murders Case Under Fresh Scrutiny as Sister Voices Hope
The Criminal Cases Review Commission has initiated a comprehensive review of the evidence that led to the conviction of Michael Stone for the brutal 1996 hammer murders of Lin Russell and her six-year-old daughter Megan. This re-examination comes after forensic expert Professor Angela Gallop compiled a detailed dossier advocating for the re-analysis of key items from the Chillenden attack using advanced modern DNA techniques.
Family's Long-Awaited Breakthrough
Barbara Stone, the 63-year-old sister of Michael Stone, has broken her silence, expressing cautious optimism that this review could represent the breakthrough the family has awaited for nearly three decades. As a registered mental health nurse, she welcomed the scientific approach, stating, "For the first time, the professor is looking at this as a scientist, it's not people-related." She emphasized her brother's persistent claims of innocence, noting he has refused parole to avoid any implication of guilt.
Key Evidence and Controversial Testimony
Professor Gallop's dossier specifically calls for the re-examination of Lin Russell's trousers, the shoelaces used to bind the victims, towel strips employed as blindfolds, and a balaclava discovered half a mile from the crime scene. Additionally, Barbara Stone highlighted the scrutiny on career criminal Damien Daley, whose prison cell confession played a pivotal role in swaying the jury during Stone's 2001 retrial. She quoted her brother, saying, "In Mick's words, it was Daley who created the miscarriage of justice."
Michael Stone, now 65, was convicted in 1998 despite the absence of DNA evidence directly linking him to the scene. He has maintained his innocence through two trials and multiple appeals, with his sister reporting that he remains cautiously optimistic about the current review, though mindful of past disappointments. The case continues to draw significant public and legal attention as investigators delve deeper into the forensic and testimonial elements that have long fueled debate over its outcome.
