The sibling of a man who was found guilty of murdering a mother and her daughter has come forward following news that authorities are reexamining the evidence that led to his conviction.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is currently scrutinizing the evidence that resulted in the conviction of Michael Stone, 65, a former drug addict convicted of the killings of Lin Russell, 45, and her six-year-old daughter Megan in 1996. The brutal hammer attack took place in Chillenden near Canterbury as the victims were returning home from a swimming gala on July 9 of that year.
While Josie, the sister of Megan, survived the attack, Stone was convicted of the heinous crimes and sentenced to three life terms in 1998, despite his consistent claims of innocence. Now, his sister has broken her silence regarding the reinvestigation, expressing hope that he may be freed nearly three decades later.
Stone has persistently maintained his innocence throughout two trials, an unsuccessful appeal, and numerous attempts to challenge the conviction overseen by the CCRC. Forensic expert Professor Angela Gallop has recently compiled a dossier shedding new light on the case and has urged for a reevaluation of the murder weapons and more thorough analysis of blood samples.
Barbara Stone, aged 63, sees this as a potential breakthrough in their long wait for justice. She remarked, “For the first time, the professor is approaching this from a scientific standpoint, devoid of personal bias.” She expressed optimism due to advancements in DNA testing and the unexpected findings from the new examination, as Stone was not present during the forensic analysis.
Additionally, the CCRC’s renewed focus on career criminal Damien Daley has been welcomed by Barbara Stone. Daley’s testimony that Stone confessed to the crimes in a prison cell heavily influenced the jury during the retrial in 2001. Stone’s sister stated that Daley’s confession of lying about the cell confession has further cast doubt on the credibility of his testimony.
Professor Gallop is currently examining various items related to the case, including Lin Russell’s trousers, the shoelace used to bind the victims, and pieces of towel used as blindfolds and gags. She has also requested the analysis of a balaclava discovered half a mile away from the crime scene. Despite the absence of DNA evidence linking Stone to the scene, he was incarcerated in Gillingham.
Barbara Stone has steadfastly supported her brother in his quest for justice and communicates with him daily at HMP Frankland, County Durham, where notorious serial killer Levi Bellfield is also imprisoned. Although Bellfield previously claimed responsibility for the double murder four years ago, authorities dismissed his statement as lacking credibility.
Barbara Stone mentioned her brother’s cautious optimism regarding the ongoing reevaluation, acknowledging past disappointments but emphasizing his unwavering determination. Stone, who has served over 28 years in prison, has been eligible for parole since 2022 but has refrained from applying, viewing it as an admission of guilt.
