On 9 July 1996, Dr Lin Russell and her young daughters Megan and Josie were walking home from a school swimming gala in Chillenden, Kent, when a man brutally attacked them along an unmade track. Dr Russell and Megan died but Josie survived.
Michael John Stone had a history of serious violence and on the first anniversary of the murders, an E-fit of the suspected killer was broadcast on the BBC TV Crimewatch programme. A psychiatrist who had treated Stone contacted the police to report that he thought the image resembled his patient and Stone was arrested a week later. Through many hours of interviews, he stoutly maintained his innocence and was not then charged, but he was remanded in custody on unrelated acquisitive offences.
Controversial witness
An ostensible breakthrough in the case took place on 23 September 1997. It was well known, at least within Canterbury prison, that Stone remained the main suspect. To avoid contact with other inmates who might hope to gain favours
