A new Netflix documentary, 'The Investigation of Lucy Letby', set for release on Wednesday, revisits the evidence that led to Letby's conviction for murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. The film, which had exclusive access to Cheshire police, now faces scrutiny as a growing number of medical experts question the prosecution's case.
The documentary features Dr Shoo Lee, a Canadian neonatologist, who claims his research was misused to convict Letby. Lee is among many experts who believe Letby is the victim of a miscarriage of justice. The film also includes retired paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans, who initially contacted police about the case, stating, 'Sounds like my kind of case'. Evans' theories on the babies' deaths contradicted earlier coroner's reports and internal reviews, which found no evidence of deliberate harm.
Cheshire police provided 'never before seen' footage, primarily of Letby's three arrests, which has been criticised as intrusive by her parents. The film shows Letby breaking down during the first arrest at her home, and later being arrested at her parents' house in her nightwear. The evidence presented includes shift charts linking Letby to suspicious incidents, her Facebook searches of parents, and her private notes containing phrases like 'I am evil, I did this'. However, her lawyer Mark McDonald notes that these notes were written during counselling for mental distress, and Letby has consistently maintained her innocence.
The documentary highlights the lack of context for some evidence and the absence of original pathologists' opinions. Despite the conviction, the film underscores ongoing doubts about the case, with experts divided on the reliability of the medical evidence used to secure the verdict.
