THE murder of pizza delivery girl Julie Hogg is being examined by law experts considering a controversial change in the law.

The Law Commission has started its investigation into the future of the double jeopardy law, which means people cannot be tried twice for the same crime.

The Northern Echo has joined Julie Hogg's mother, Ann Ming, politicians and legal experts in calling for the law to be changed.

The issue of double jeopardy was highlighted last year when Billy Dunlop, 37, from Billingham, admitted killing 22-year-old Julie.

Two previous juries had failed to reach a verdict on the case and Dunlop was serving a seven-year jail term for a serious assault.

Despite his admission, Dunlop cannot be retried for murder, although he was convicted on two counts of perjury relating to the original trial.

Mrs Ming, who discovered Julie's naked and mutilated body behind a bath panel at her home three months after the murder, backed our campaign to get a change in the law.

The Northern Echo took Mrs Ming and her husband, Charlie, to London to meet Home Secretary Jack Straw, last year, to campaign for a change in the law retrospectively so Dunlop could be sentenced for murder.

The couple were told a decision would not be made until later this year, when the Law Commission delivers its findings on the issue.

Yesterday, it emerged that Julie's case is being considered by the Law Commission as part of consideration of double jeopardy.

Its conclusion is expected to be published in the next few months.