The Lucy Letby Case - The Epitome of the Law Enforcement System or a Miscarriage of Justice Most Foul?

SUMMARY

• Lucy Letby, a nurse in the Countess of Chester Hospital, was charged with seven counts of murder and seven more of attempted murder of babies. 

• Following her conviction, an inquiry (The Thirlwall Inquiry) was set up and concluded. The report is set to be released this September

• Three senior leaders at the Chester hospital have already been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, further muddying the waters

• However, her barrister, Mark McDonald, believes her to be innocent and that she did not kill any babies

• So how? How can the parties involved in this case be so polarised? 

CONTRADICTING EVIDENCE

• Before new evidence presented by professionals was presented, those provided by Letby’s defence was seen as insubstantial and distracting, hence Letby was initially convicted unanimously by the jury.

• As more experts like the Canadian neonatal expert, Shoo Lee, were involved, new evidence might prove the courts to be erroneous

• There is evidence that the babies’ deaths were not due to Letby’s deliberate sabotage, but the poor condition of the hospital that existed prior to the babies’ deaths

BABY O 

• Baby O was one of the seven babies Letby was alleged to have murdered

• During Letby’s trial, the jury was told that his death was in part due to liver injuries

• The prosecution’s pathologist attributed those injuries to Letby, as they are similar to those in a car accident

• However, one neonatal pathologist argued that the injuries seemed unlikely to be caused by impact 

• There are more theories that are employed to  attempt to explain the babies’ deaths, but the opinions of the experts are divided 

• This is mainly due to a lack of research and experimental data, perhaps exacerbated by the case’s highly emotional nature 

PESTLE ANALYSIS

POLITICAL

The UK government is forced, perhaps due to public pressure, to enact legislation to improve the quality of neonatal care after the release of the final report in the Thirlwall inquiry. 

ECONOMICAL

Inquiries and court proceedings are costly; this adds extra expensis for the government. Although this might be substantial.

SOCIAL

The arrest of the three senior leaders and the general uncertainty might impose anxiety and moral distress on the public, especially NHS staff, leading to poorer work quality and more errors being made. 

Moreover, protests and conflicts are likely due to the two moral camps: justice for the babies or justice for Letby.

TECHNOLOGICAL

Although it might be long-term, the change the government might make could improve the current technology when it comes to neonatal care

LEGAL

Law firms might conduct pro bono work for Letby or other affected parents or staff. 

Although the Thirlwall inquiry cannot cause one to be arrested, the evidence it discovered might be used against individuals by the police. 

As mentioned, three individuals have already been arrested. It is likely that there would be more as deeper institutional failure continues to unfold

ENVIRONMETAL

Luckily, there is no environmental effect, so rest assured that our Earth will continue to spin for another day; the sun will rise from the east once again, and the waves from the unforgiving ocean will continue to roar.