Former Neonatal Nurse Lucy Letby to Face Retrial in U.K. Baby Murder Case

Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse convicted last month for murdering seven infants under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England, is set for a retrial on a charge of attempting to murder a newborn girl. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed its intent to revisit one of the unresolved charges related to an infant referred to as Child K from February 2016.

During Letby’s 10-month trial, the jury failed to deliver verdicts on six counts of attempted murder for five infants, with Letby facing two counts for one newborn. Although she attended the recent hearing via video from prison, her participation was minimal, only confirming her name. June 10, 2024, has been marked as the tentative date for the trial.

The severity of Letby’s life imprisonment reflects the heinous nature of her crimes. She allegedly harmed infants through various methods, including injecting air into their bloodstreams and adding insulin to their feeds. This severe sentencing, devoid of any chance for parole, is a rare occurrence in the U.K.

Following the convictions, the British government initiated an independent inquiry to investigate the broader context of the events at the hospital, notably addressing concerns raised by staff members about Letby’s actions.

The decision not to proceed with retrials on the other five counts of attempted murder has been met with disappointment from lawyers representing affected families. Tamlin Bolton from Switalskis law firm emphasized the families’ need for clarity on what transpired with their children.