Jodi cousin makes murder denial

Jodi Jones was found dead in woods near her home

An 18-year-old witness in the Jodi Jones murder trial has denied that he and his cousin killed the schoolgirl.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Tuesday that John Ferris is related to Jodi by marriage.

Her body was found near the Roan's Dyke pathway near Dalkeith in June last year.

Jodi's boyfriend Luke Mitchell, now 16, denies murdering the teenager and has lodged two special defences, one of alibi and one of incrimination.

Mr Ferris, Jodi's second cousin, was asked in court if he was the one who had murdered the schoolgirl.

He vehemently denied the claim during cross-examination by defence lawyer Donald Findlay QC.

Mr Ferris told the court that he and another cousin, Gordon Dickie, were on the Roan's Dyke pathway at about 1715 on the day Jodi died, but said they did not see her.

He also said that Mr Dickie was not involved in the alleged murder.

'Different knives'

Mr Findlay asked the witness: "Did you murder Jodi?"

Mr Ferris replied: "No."

The lawyer continued: "Did Gordon Dickie murder Jodi?"

"No," replied the witness.

"Did the two of you together murder Jodi?" Mr Findlay continued.

John Ferris gave evidence on Tuesday

"No," said Mr Ferris.

Mr Findlay is representing Jodi's boyfriend, Luke Mitchell, who is on trial accused of the murder of the 14-year-old.

Giving evidence, Mr Ferris said that he saw several knives in Mr Mitchell's possession after he had begun going out with Jodi.

Mr Ferris also admitted to the court that he sold two ounces of cannabis to Mr Mitchell the day before Jodi died.

Mr Mitchell denies murdering the 14-year-old in June last year. He is alleged to have repeatedly struck her with a knife or similar instrument in a wooded area near her home in Dalkeith, Midlothian.

Asked by prosecuting advocate-depute Alan Turnbull QC whether he had ever seen Mr Mitchell with a knife, the witness agreed and told the court he had seen Luke with "different knives" on "many occasions".

He was then shown a number of knives, including two silver knives and a lock knife with a brown handle, which he identified as those he had seen in Mr Mitchell's possession.

The trial continues.