Lucy Letby Case: Expert Panel Casts Doubt on Convictions, Appeal Underway

The case of Lucy Letby, a former nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital, has taken a new turn. An expert panel has concluded that the deaths and injuries of the infants were likely due to “bad medical care” or natural causes, challenging the basis of Letby’s convictions. This development coincides with an application by Letby’s legal team to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) for a review of her case.

Expert Panel Findings

The expert panel, comprised of 14 members including neonatologists from the UK, US, Germany, Sweden, and Japan, reviewed the cases of 17 babies linked to Letby. Chaired by Dr. Shoo Lee, an emeritus professor at the University of Toronto, the panel found significant issues with the medical care provided to the infants. Dr. Lee stated that they found “so many problems with the medical care” and “no medical evidence to support malfeasance causing death or injury”.

The panel’s findings suggest that the babies’ deterioration was due to factors such as thrombosis, complications from respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, and infection. They also pointed to failures in basic medical procedures, delays in treatment, and misdiagnosis of diseases at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Dr. Lee even stated that had similar issues occurred at a hospital in Canada, “it would be shut down.”

Challenging the Prosecution’s Case

A key aspect of the prosecution’s case was the claim that Letby injected air into the babies’ bloodstreams. The expert panel disputed this, with Dr. Lee stating that the claim had “no evidence in fact”. They offered alternative explanations for the infants’ collapses, ruling out deliberate harm.

The panel also questioned the insulin poisoning accusations, which were central to the prosecution. While Letby’s original legal team did not contest the high insulin levels in two infants, the panel’s report casts doubt on the claim that Letby was the only person who could have administered the insulin.

CCRC Application

Letby’s lawyers have applied to the CCRC to investigate her case as a potential miscarriage of justice. The CCRC has confirmed receipt of a “preliminary application” and has begun assessing it. The CCRC’s role is to determine whether there is new evidence that presents a reasonable chance of the conviction being overturned. It is important to note that the CCRC does not determine innocence or guilt but rather assesses whether the case should be referred back to the Court of Appeal.

Mark McDonald, Letby’s new barrister, asserted that the expert panel’s report had “demolished” the medical case against her and was “overwhelming evidence that this conviction is unsafe.” He criticized Letby’s original legal team for not producing any medical experts to give evidence in her defense, leaving the jury with only the prosecution’s expert testimony.

Background: The Conviction and Initial Appeals

Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others while working as a nurse in the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. She was sentenced to 15 whole-life prison terms. Letby has twice been refused permission to appeal against her convictions by the Court of Appeal.

Hospital Context

The 31-page summary report highlighted that the Countess of Chester’s neonatal unit was overworked, understaffed, had plumbing issues, and had “inadequate numbers of appropriately trained” clinicians. This paints a picture of a unit facing significant challenges, which may have contributed to the issues identified by the expert panel.

Moving Forward

The CCRC will now assess Letby’s application and determine whether to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal. The outcome of this review could have significant implications for Letby’s convictions and the families involved.