A new documentary has raised concerns about the evidence used to convict nurse Lucy Letby, with medical experts claiming it was 'deeply disturbing' and 'flawed'. Letby was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others at Manchester Crown Court, receiving 15 whole-life sentences.
In ITV's 'Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt?', her barrister Mark McDonald argues there was no direct evidence against her. He stated: 'No one saw her do anything wrong. In the trial, they started from the starting point, “she has done harm. Now we have to show how she has harmed each child.”'
A panel led by Dr Shoo Lee claimed in February that Letby did not murder any babies. Dr Neena Modi, former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, described the trial as 'deeply disturbing' and 'conducted with so many flaws'. Alleged flaws include a shift chart that statistician Professor Jane Hutton called 'grossly misleading' for omitting incidents when Letby was not working.
Other disputed evidence includes the removal of a breathing tube, which experts say can be dislodged for various reasons, and notes by Letby including 'I am evil I did this', which her defence claims were encouraged by hospital staff to cope with stress. The prosecution's lead expert, Dr Dewi Evans, denies altering his views on how three babies died, stating his evidence was agreed by a jury and the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Letby's case on all grounds in May 2024. The Crown Prosecution Service said it is considering police files on further baby deaths and collapses at the Countess of Chester and Liverpool Women's Hospital. Letby's defence has submitted an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
