British nurse Lucy Letby, convicted of killing 7 babies, found guilty of another attempted murder
CBSJul 18
UK Begins Inquiry Into Nurse Lucy Letby Case
Above: A television screen near Manchester Crown Court broadcasts the sentencing of convicted hospital nurse Lucy Letby. Image copyright: Christopher Furlong/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The UK government opened a public inquiry Tuesday into the events at the Countess of Chester hospital’s neonatal unit where former nurse Lucy Letby worked from 2015 -2016. Letby was sentenced to life in prison last year for killing seven infants and attempting to kill seven others.
The inquiry, led by the senior Court of Appeal's Lady Justice Thirlwall, is expected to probe three areas of concern — the experience of the victims' parents, the conduct of the hospital's staff, and the broader culture of the National Health Service (NHS).
The Spin
Narrative A
Letby was handed multiple life sentences because she was at the scene of all seven infant deaths, it was proven that the babies were poisoned, and she wrote an incriminating note. It's unfortunate that armchair detectives are still pushing theories about her innocence online. It's time to turn the page from this open-and-shut case.
Narrative B
Letby could successfully appeal her conviction. One of the main pieces of evidence against her was a doctor who claimed he saw her standing over a dying baby, but this could've been hearsay. These could've potentially been the words of a nurse feeling guilty over the death of a baby. Given the amount of public support Letby has, it's worth reviewing this case one more time.