Experts question the evidence used to convict Lucy Letby

A panel of global neonatal specialists finds no proof supporting Lucy Letby’s murder charges, pointing to systemic failures in hospital care.

(L-R) Professor Neena Modi, Barrister Mark McDonald, MP Sir David Davis, and Dr. Shoo Lee attend a press conference presenting new evidence on the safety of former nurse Lucy Letby’s convictions, on February 4, 2025, in London, England. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina

An international panel of neonatal and pediatric specialists has challenged the conviction of British nurse Lucy Letby, stating that there is no medical evidence to support the charges against her. Letby, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2023 for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The 14-member panel, led by Canadian neonatologist Dr. Shoo Lee, presented its findings at a news conference in London, revealing that an independent review found no proof that Letby harmed any infants in her care. Instead, they pointed to critical failures in medical care and management at the hospital during 2015 and 2016.

“Our conclusion was that there was no medical evidence to support malfeasance causing injury in any of the 17 cases in the trial,” Dr. Lee stated. “In summary, ladies and gentlemen, we did not find any murders.”

One of the key findings of the panel was that the prosecution’s expert witness, Dr. Dewi Evans, had misinterpreted a 1989 study on air embolisms co-authored by Dr. Lee. Dr. Evans had argued that certain skin discolorations on the infants indicated they had been injected with air, leading to their deaths. However, Dr. Lee and his team determined that the discolorations were not caused by air embolisms, disputing a crucial part of the prosecution’s case.

Additionally, the panel noted that some of the deaths were likely preventable and resulted from hospital mismanagement. Many infants were born prematurely or had pre-existing conditions, which the prosecution overlooked when building its case against Letby.

Systemic failures at Countess of Chester Hospital

The panel’s report also pointed to significant systemic failures at the Countess of Chester Hospital. According to the findings, the neonatal unit suffered from chronic understaffing, delayed diagnoses, and improper medical procedures.

Dr. Neena Modi, a neonatology professor at Imperial College London and panel member, explained, “There was a combination of babies being delivered in the wrong place, delayed diagnosis, and inappropriate or absent treatment.”

One case highlighted by the panel involved “Baby 1,” whom prosecutors alleged was murdered by Letby via an air injection. However, the experts concluded that the cause of death was actually thrombosis due to an existing medical condition. In another case, “Baby 11,” the prosecution claimed Letby deliberately dislodged a breathing tube, but the panel found that a doctor had improperly handled resuscitation efforts, leading to fatal consequences.

In response to the panel’s findings, Letby’s defense attorney, Mark McDonald, has submitted a formal request to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to reconsider her conviction. “There is overwhelming evidence that the conviction is unsafe,” McDonald stated.

The CCRC, which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, has acknowledged receipt of the request but has not provided a timeline for its review. If new evidence is accepted, it could lead to an appeal or even a retrial.

Meanwhile, Conservative MP David Davis has become a vocal advocate for Letby, calling for a retrial in Parliament. “Given the serious concerns raised by medical experts, this case must be re-examined,” Davis said.

A public inquiry into the case is currently underway, but it has been operating under the presumption that Letby is guilty. The inquiry is examining whether hospital management and culture contributed to the deaths and if the hospital failed to protect infants due to its internal failures.

One senior doctor testified that during the time of the deaths, the neonatal unit was “almost at breaking point” due to staff shortages and lack of proper resources. Previous regulatory reports had also warned that the hospital did not have adequate staffing or infection control measures in place.

Next steps in the case

As scrutiny over the case grows, Letby’s legal team is also preparing to challenge the conviction through the Court of Appeal. Although two previous attempts were unsuccessful, the new findings could strengthen her case.

McDonald has shared the latest evidence with Letby, who remains behind bars. While he declined to discuss her state of mind in detail, he stated, “She has hope, and that’s all I can say.”

The CCRC has emphasized that it does not determine innocence or guilt but will assess whether there are valid grounds for an appeal. “We are aware of the speculation and commentary surrounding Lucy Letby’s case,” a CCRC spokesperson said. “It is crucial to ensure that all evidence is thoroughly examined, while keeping the affected families in mind.”

The international panel’s findings have reignited debate over one of Britain’s most high-profile criminal cases. With serious concerns raised about the medical evidence used to convict Letby, the case now faces renewed scrutiny from legal and medical experts alike.

As the justice system reevaluates the case, the implications extend beyond Letby herself, highlighting broader issues within Britain’s National Health Service and the handling of complex medical trials in court.