The Russell Murders

[Andontothenextproblem]

Following on from my previous thread about Jill Dando there was quite a few references made to the Russell murders so thought I would start a new one to discuss that.

The murders have stayed with me since I first heard about them on the news at 16, it was 1st case that really shook and terrified me, that some one could do the evil things he did to such a normal and lovely family and with such a similar upbringing to my own.

I also watched the new documentary today about the case which really does highlight holes in Stones charges and sentencing though like many I’m also not sure Belfield did it either, which leaves me really baffled.

I think potentially the police were under so much pressure to arrest someone that Stone with his shoddy past was fair game.

But I am baffled how a jury found him guilty twice (he appealed) and also rejected an application to review evidence on just a known liar saying he’d whispered he was guilty down a drain pipe and without a single bit of forensic evidence.

What’s everyone else’s thoughts on this…

I did a legal research paper in 1998/9 about the conviction of Michael Stone and the lack of evidence. There has been talk the horrific crime was committed by another well know convicted murderer.

Well, it certainly fits Bellfield's MO and doesn't fit Stones so that's one thing. Stone was not known to hit women over the head with a hammer and I also don't think he has much in the way of violence towards women and children - could be wrong about that as it's been years since I looked into it all though

But I think there was more to his conviction that the word of some old convict so who knows?

I agree it needs a real review again

Stone innocent

I thought exactly the same as you.
Horrendous crime, one of those that haunts you.
I now seriously doubt Stones conviction was just.
Pretty horrendous for him too if he's innocent.
I was surprised that they didn't let him have another appeal, it was based on a self confessed liar.
Stone asked to be put in isolation because previous inmates said he'd confessed to them then while in isolation (to protect himself from false allegations of his confessions) he apparently confessed to someone he didn't even know through a pipe!
The whole thing stinks.

I just don’t think it feels “right” putting either of them there on that day..

it was such a random/hidden rural path, the chance of either city dwelling nutters randomly driving past just feels off…

As far as I know they have only tested forensically on the items at the scene of the crime once, in 1996 when it happened, why wouldn’t you review again, especially given how much more advanced DNA testing is now, if any kind of doubt to Stone.

I'm sure they looked into Belfield as a suspect and discounted him

As far as I’m aware Belfield has never been investigated for this particular crime. He is already serving two life sentences and Mr Stone had been convicted correctly or incorrectly. There hasn’t been any independent review into the status quo which will in part be down to the cost of using public funds. I believe there has been a miscarriage of justice as Stone was found guilty based on circumstantial evidence only.
There was DNA at the crime scene belonging to an unknown third party whether they are involved or innocent.

I've gone the other way with this. watched this one, and planning to watch Jill Dando at the weekend.

I don't think it was Michael Stone, but I'm not sure who I think did do it... absolutely horrific any which way.

Just googled and it seems Belfield confessed to the Russell murders. He later retracted his confession. He has apparently made another confession but the police have refused to entertain it.
Being the nasty piece of work Belfield is, he's probably toying with the police

Wasn’t Belfield around that area of Kent in some capacity I’m sure I read that somewhere such an awful murder

I am inclined to believe it was Belfield. It fits with his MO and he had strong connections to that area at the time of the murders.
I listened to a podcast about Belfields crimes and they did touch on the confession to the Russels murder, as soon as I heard it I thought “yes that makes absolute sense”.
Although as I understand it, the father/husband (Mike?) has always supported Stones conviction.

Such a distressing case. Michael Stone definitely seemed like the type of person who might have done it, but I seem to recall the evidence against him was quite weak. I don’t think Bellfield did it - he is just fucking with people because he enjoys it.

I check Josie Russell’s Instagram page occasionally - I’m pleased to say she seems to be doing well. She is an extremely talented artist.

it was such a random/hidden rural path, the chance of either city dwelling nutters randomly driving past just feels off

It wouldn't have been an opportunistic attack, whoever did it would have been stalking them. Which fits with Bellfield's MO.

Bellfields ex partner has said it coincided with a birthday so she remembered him being with her on that day, giving him an alibi.

i see no incentive for her to be untruthful so unless she’s mistaken it wasn’t him

Bellfield confessed to the killings in a statement in 2022 then retracted it, he then made another statement earlier this year confessing again, but the police have said that the conviction against Stone still stands, even though Bellfields solicitor has said that Bellfield is adamant that he carried out the murders.

She is. I commissioned a piece by her a few years ago, which i love.
Tbh while i can understand the interest in crime, esp when it was brutal and there's uncertainty about a conviction, i've never been comfortable with people's lives being 'investigated' by the media - i can't imagine what it must be like to be flicking through a tv guide or paper and suddenly see photos of your murdered relatives, advertising yet another documentary about them.

Such a awful, tragic case 😞

I've read bellfields Ex says it couldn't have been him and provided an alibi and she absolutely hates him, as we all should.

I personally think it was him and I think he found time somewhere, I really do.

I understand Stone was having an extreme episode of MH at the time and it was his psychologist that thought he'd committed the crime? If I remember rightly?
I just think it seems a huge, absolutely massive leap to go from discussing killing women during untreated psychosis to actually carrying out that attack. Bellfield was a seasoned stalker etc at the time of the Russell murders. He took great pleasure in hurting women.

Bellfield is the most heinous bastard, I wish nothing but horror and terror for him. I actually do hate him.

Is the Russel one on Netflix too? X

@Lwrenagain I had a quick read of the Wikipedia page and it seems like there was other evidence like witnesses saying Michael stone had blood on his clothing after the murders took place. I don’t think they’re completely reliant on what he disclosed to his psychiatrist.

Also it goes both ways, if Michael stone either lied to his psychiatrist or was mistaken due to mental health, why would you take Levi bellfields confession as the truth? Levi belffield could equally say he was lying, had mental health flare up, under pressure etc

Ultimately you’re dealing with unreliable storytelling here

Probably I've based it on pure hatred for bellfield, if I'm honest with you and I don't want to imagine more people are capable of those crimes than I have to, I should look into it more really before cementing my opinion.

Bellfields ex was terrified of him so with him being safely in jail forever I don't think she would lie about his whereabouts on that day x