Lucy Letby case: Panel of experts to present ‘new medical evidence’
Fourteen experts from across the globe are preparing to present what they call 'significant new medical evidence' in the Lucy Letby case. The former neonatal nurse, 35, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven infants attempting to murder seven others.
But the case has come under intense scrutiny over the last year. Letby, who maintains her innocence, has seen two attempts to appeal her convictions denied.
Now, an international panel of experts in the care of newborn babies is set to put forward their analysis at a press conference in London later today (February 4). Among those on the 'blue riband committee' is retired medic Dr Shoo Lee, who co-authored a 1989 academic paper on air embolism in babies, which featured prominently in Letby’s 10-month trial.
Court cases heard how Letby, from Hereford, attacked babies on the neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital where she worked, by various means between June 2015 and June 2016. One such method was injecting air into the bloodstream which caused an air embolism that blocked the blood supply and led to sudden and unexpected collapses.
Dr Lee, who founded the Canadian Neonatal Network which includes 27 hospitals and 16 universities, has told The Sunday Times that he believed his findings on skin discolouration were misinterpreted by the prosecution. The newspaper also reported that it was understood the expert panel had found alternative causes of death for a 'large number' of the babies who featured in the trial.
Lawyers for Letby are planning to submit an application to the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates potential miscarriages of justice and can refer cases back