Channel 4's new documentary, 'Conviction: The Case of Lucy Letby', probes the conviction of Britain's most notorious baby killer, questioning expert testimony and exposing deep divisions over whether she is guilty or the victim of a miscarriage of justice. The film follows the fight to overturn Letby's conviction, presenting a coherent argument that incompetence and mishap could explain the infant deaths.
Letby, a former neonatal nurse at Chester hospital, was convicted in 2023 of seven murders of infants and the attempted murder of seven more. The trial focused on sensational handwritten Post-it notes recovered from her house, which she claimed were imaginary cathartic exercises encouraged by counselling. The documentary does not closely examine the counselling process, a noted fault.
The film highlights the overwhelming importance of Dr Dewi Evans, the prosecution's expert witness, who remains convinced of Letby's guilt. Dr Evans, extensively interviewed, calls Letby's defenders the 'Great Metropolitan Elite' and believes the campaign is a London-based media stitch-up. The documentary also interviews anonymous parents whose child was transferred away from Chester hospital and now believe their child's survival is due to escaping Letby.
Letby's barrister Mark McDonald works to bring her case before the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Supporters include Private Eye's Dr Phil Hammond and Toronto neonatal expert Dr Shoo Lee, who argue the conviction is unsafe. The film suggests the pattern of deaths could result from systemic underfunding, understaffing, or mismanagement, rather than a single malign person.
The documentary does not solve the issue of guilt but addresses the onus of proof. It remains to be seen whether the Letby debate leads to improvements in neonatal care standards. 'Conviction: The Case of Lucy Letby' is in UK cinemas from 19 September and on Channel 4 on 29 September.
