Coroner Formally Opens Inquests for Five of Lucy Letby's Murdered Victims
Inquests into the deaths of five infants murdered by former neonatal nurse Lucy Letby were formally opened and immediately adjourned today at a Cheshire coroner's court. The babies, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were among seven children killed by Letby at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.
Proceedings Suspended Pending Public Inquiry Report
Senior coroner for Cheshire Jacqueline Devonish announced she would be suspending hearings into the children's deaths until after Lady Justice Thirlwall delivers her report from the public inquiry investigating Letby's crimes later this year. Ms Devonish formally opened inquests into the deaths of Baby C, a premature baby boy murdered in June 2015; Baby E, a twin boy murdered in August 2015; Baby I, a premature baby girl killed in October 2015; and Babies O and P, two triplet brothers murdered on successive shifts in June 2016.
Coroner's officer Detective Inspector Darren Reid read brief details of each child's birth, collapse, and subsequent death to the court. Ms Devonish then formally suspended hearings until a review scheduled for May 5, with full inquests planned for two weeks beginning September 14.
Previous Inquests and Legal Context
An inquest has already been conducted into the death of Baby A, Letby's first victim who was killed in June 2015. In October 2016, a coroner recorded a narrative conclusion stating it could not be determined what caused the infant's collapse and death, or whether it resulted from natural or unnatural causes. The court heard that Baby A's family does not want his inquest reopened.
Additionally, an inquest had been opened and suspended in January 2016 into the death of Baby D, a full-term baby girl murdered in June 2015. That coronial investigation was later suspended as criminal proceedings commenced. Ms Devonish further suspended the inquest into Baby D's death to the same review and inquest dates scheduled for later this year.
Legal Representatives Outline Positions
At a pre-inquest hearing last week, Richard Baker KC, representing families of the deceased babies, emphasized that the inquests should not be used as a collateral attack on Letby's convictions. He stated the coroner was bound by the guilty verdicts and couldn't act in any way that is inconsistent with them.
Mark McDonald, Letby's new defence barrister who attended the virtual hearing, responded that he was acutely aware the inquests were not the forum to re-litigate the convictions. He added: The convictions stand until they are overturned by the Court of Appeal. However, understanding how each baby died is an important factor. Mr McDonald claimed there were systemic problems on the hospital's neonatal unit when the babies died.
Background on Letby's Case and Recent Developments
Lucy Letby, 36, is serving a record 15 whole life terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more – one of whom she attacked twice – at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. She has twice failed to appeal her convictions.
In April last year, her legal team lodged a file of new expert evidence with the Criminal Cases Review Commission, hoping her case would be referred back to the Court of Appeal for a third time. Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service announced it would not bring further charges against Letby, despite Cheshire Constabulary submitting evidence files regarding alleged offences involving two infants who died and seven who survived.
Letby was removed from clinical duties in July 2016 after consultant paediatricians raised concerns she might be deliberately harming babies, though these fears were not mentioned at Baby A's inquest. Cheshire Constabulary was not called to investigate the increase in baby deaths until May 2017.
