Share
5th February 2025
12:58pm GMT
The former neonatal nurse was convicted in 2023 for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
An international panel of 14 medical experts, led by Canadian neonatologist, Dr. Shoo Lee, has conducted a comprehensive review of the evidence.
They now claim that there is no medical basis to support the occurrence of murders in the cases Letby was tried for.
Instead, the panel linked the infants' deaths and deterioration to natural causes or substandard medical care, highlighting issues like inadequate staffing and poor clinical practices at the hospital.
These findings directly challenge the testimony of Dr. Dewi Evans, whose expert evidence was pivotal in Letby's conviction.
In response to the panel's conclusions, Letby's legal team has submitted the report to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), seeking a reassessment of her case.
The CCRC is responsible for investigating potential miscarriages of justice and has the authority to refer cases back to the Court of Appeal if new evidence emerges. However, this process may take several years.
A government inquiry chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall is currently examining the circumstances that allowed Letby to continue her duties at the hospital despite emerging concerns.
This inquiry aims to identify systemic failures and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It is important to note that some families of the affected infants continue to uphold the original verdict, and say they are confident in the jury's decision.
The situation remains complex, with ongoing legal and investigative processes that may significantly impact the final outcome of this case.
