A nurse working in a British hospital has been convicted of killing seven babies and attempting to kill six others. Lucy Letby, 33, faced charges of murder in relation to the deaths of five baby boys and two girls, as well as attempted murder charges for five boys and five girls. These incidents occurred between 2015 and 2016 during her time at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England. The prosecution accused Letby of deliberately causing harm to the newborn babies, using methods such as injecting air into their bloodstreams and administering air or milk through nasogastric tubes. She was also accused of poisoning infants with insulin and interfering with their breathing tubes.
Letby pleaded not guilty to all charges, but after 22 days of deliberation, a jury of seven women and four men reached a verdict. However, one juror was excused during the deliberations, leading the judge to offer the option of a majority decision from the remaining 11 jurors. Letby was found guilty on multiple charges but was acquitted of one charge of attempted murder, with the jury unable to reach a verdict on others.
During the trial, which began in October of the previous year, it was revealed that the hospital had experienced an unusual increase in the number of baby deaths and instances of sudden health deterioration in 2015. Prosecutors argued that Letby was present during all of these cases and described her as a constant, malevolent presence in the neonatal unit. They suggested that Letby harmed the babies in ways that left little trace, and convinced her colleagues that the collapses and deaths were natural.
The first baby to be targeted, according to the prosecution, was a prematurely born boy who died within a day. They alleged that Letby injected air into his bloodstream. The case attracted attention in May 2017 when the police launched an investigation into the baby deaths at the hospital. Letby was subsequently arrested three times before being charged in November 2020. A Post-It note found at her home, on which she wrote “I am evil, I did this,” was presented as a confession by the prosecution.
Letby’s defense argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove her guilt and suggested that the babies’ collapses and deaths could have been due to factors such as natural causes or deficiencies in care provided by others. They also claimed that senior doctors blamed Letby to hide shortcomings in the neonatal unit.
During her testimony, Letby maintained her innocence, stating that she had always done her best to care for the infants and that her purpose was to provide care, not harm. She became emotional at times and defended the medical records she kept at home, explaining that they were for reference and not evidence of wrongdoing.
The defense interpreted her notes, which expressed self-blame and feelings of inadequacy, as the reflections of a woman who had lost confidence in herself. They argued that these writings were meant for Letby’s personal contemplation and not intended for anyone else.
Overall, the trial revealed a disturbing case of alleged deliberate harm to vulnerable newborns, raising questions about the safety and oversight of neonatal care. The guilty verdict emphasizes the importance of vigilant monitoring and swift action in addressing any concerns within healthcare settings.
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