Lucy Letby’s conviction for the deaths of seven babies is under fresh scrutiny as independent experts start to review her case.

The 35-year-old former neonatal nurse, who is serving multiple life sentences for the murders and attempted murders of babies in her care, may now see new hope as a team of professionals looks into claims that her conviction was unjust.

CCRC Team Preparing for Review

Three members of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) are currently familiarizing themselves with the case.

Though the formal application for a review hasn’t been filed yet, this step indicates that the process of reassessing her conviction is underway.

Letby’s legal team, led by criminal defence and human rights barrister Mark McDonald, is expected to present compelling new evidence from a group of 14 international medical experts.

These professionals, forming a “blue-ribbon committee,” will review the controversial medical evidence surrounding Letby’s case, including the alleged air embolism diagnoses that played a pivotal role in her conviction.

The Experts and Their Findings

One of the key experts involved in the new review is Dr. Shoo Lee, a respected figure in neonatal care and the author of a paper that the prosecution cited in 2023.

Dr. Lee is expected to challenge key elements of the prosecution’s argument, particularly regarding the theory that Letby injected air into the babies’ bodies, causing fatal air embolisms.

Dr. Lee will argue that none of the babies in question should have been diagnosed with air embolism due to its rarity.

According to Dr. Lee, the discolouration on the babies’ skin, which was used as evidence in the trial, doesn’t match the specific patterns associated with air embolism.

Furthermore, the discolouration was present in about 10% of air embolism cases, but in Letby’s case, it occurred in nine out of the 17 babies she was accused of harming.

Delay in Formal Application Raises Questions

While Letby’s team has made public announcements about the review, a source close to the case expressed concern that they haven’t yet filed a formal application with the CCRC.

It has raised questions as to why so much information has been released to the media before the legal proceedings have officially begun.

The experts, particularly Dr. Lee, are expected to speak at a press conference tomorrow to outline their findings.

However, some have questioned whether this is the most effective approach to securing a case review, rather than allowing the legal process to unfold first.

The Investigation into Letby’s Conviction

Lucy Letby’s case has been surrounded by intense media attention since her 2023 conviction, which included charges of seven murders and seven attempted murders.

Despite a retrial in 2024, the outcome remains contentious, and many believe the case deserves further investigation.

The CCRC has not yet received an official application but has already started preparing for what could be a lengthy and complex review.

The minutes from the CCRC board meeting in September indicated that a senior case review manager has been assigned to handle the case, signaling the seriousness with which they are taking the matter.

Political Figures Stay Silent on Case

Amid the unfolding developments, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was asked about her confidence in the investigation during a BBC interview.

However, she chose to refrain from commenting on the details of Letby’s case, citing the complexity and sensitivity of individual legal proceedings.

The CCRC has made it clear that, while they have not received a formal application, they are unable to comment further on the matter until that happens.

A Critical Moment for Letby’s Defense Team

Mark McDonald, Letby’s barrister, has acknowledged the significance of the upcoming review, describing the reports from the experts as potentially “game changing.”

He stated that he has been waiting for these reports before formally submitting an application to the CCRC.

As the legal process continues to unfold, the coming weeks could prove crucial in determining whether Lucy Letby’s conviction is revisited and what the future holds for her legal battle.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn