LUKE MITCHELL FROM EASTHOUSES DEMANDS SATANIC BOOKS IN SCOTTISH PRISON

In April 2014, Luke Mitchell, the man convicted of the brutal murder of 14-year-old Jodi Jones in Easthouses, Scotland, has made a controversial request while serving his life sentence at Shotts prison. Mitchell has formally asked for six books, including titles such as The Devil’s Notebook and Satan Speaks, claiming that access to occult and Satanic literature is a fundamental human right rooted in his religious beliefs.

Among the requested texts is The Satanic Bible, a publication that promotes the idea of creating a society devoid of law and order, where human sacrifice and murder are not only accepted but actively encouraged. The Satanic Bible, authored by Anton Szandor LaVey, discusses how individuals could be deemed suitable for human sacrifice, stating that the criteria are “brutally simple,” and that anyone who has wronged you unjustly could be considered a candidate.

Mitchell’s request also includes Satan Speaks, a book with a foreword penned by Marilyn Manson, the goth musician whose artwork and music are believed to have influenced Mitchell’s actions. The request has raised eyebrows within the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), which is reportedly considering whether to grant the request. The SPS has indicated that while religious materials are generally considered, they can restrict inmates from obtaining books that are not on their approved list of suppliers, especially if such materials could incite violence or antisocial behavior.

Mitchell, now 25 years old, is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Jodi Jones, which took place in June 2003. During his trial, his fascination with Satanic and occult themes was brought to light, with evidence showing that as a teenager, he had scratched “666” into his arm and drawn Satanic symbols and quotes on his schoolbooks. His interest in the occult was further highlighted by his admiration for Marilyn Manson and his fascination with the infamous 1947 Black Dahlia murder case, which involved the mutilation and murder of Elizabeth Short.

At the time of the murder, Mitchell was just 15 years old. He had been Jodi Jones’s boyfriend and was suspected early on, but it was several months before he was arrested. The murder occurred in a wooded area behind Jodi’s home in Easthouses, where her mutilated body was discovered. Mitchell was found to have a demonic tattoo and had written disturbing messages on his schoolwork, including lines such as “People like you need Satanic people like me to keep the balance” and “Just because I have chosen to follow the teachings of Satan doesn’t mean I need psychiatric help.”

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Mitchell had demonstrated “guilty knowledge” of the crime, citing his discovery of the body and his suspicious behavior. They pointed out that he had shown an interest in the Black Dahlia case and had marked a knife pouch with references to Jodi’s lifespan and a cryptic quote. Evidence also suggested that Mitchell’s clothes might have been burned in a garden incinerator, although no forensic evidence was recovered from the site.

Mitchell’s defense claimed that he had an alibi, asserting he was at home cooking dinner at the time of the murder, and argued that his dog might have helped him find the body. The trial, held at the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh, was the longest single-accused trial in Scottish history. After deliberating for five hours, the jury found Mitchell guilty in January 2005. He was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison by Judge Lord Nimmo Smith, who described him as “truly wicked.”

Mitchell appealed his conviction in 2006, arguing that the trial should have been moved outside Edinburgh. His appeal was heard in 2008, but the court upheld his conviction, criticizing the police interrogation methods used during his initial questioning. His appeal against the severity of his sentence was also rejected in 2011, with the court expressing sympathy for the victim’s family but stating that the punishment was appropriate given the circumstances.

In April 2011, Mitchell attempted to challenge his conviction on human rights grounds, citing the lack of legal representation during his police interview. However, his appeal was dismissed, and in November of the same year, he was refused permission to take his case to the UK Supreme Court. Throughout these proceedings, Mitchell’s fascination with Satanic themes and his disturbing behavior as a teenager have continued to attract media attention, fueling ongoing debates about the influence of occult materials on juvenile offenders and the appropriate restrictions within the prison system.