Lucy Letby, the former nurse convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others, will not face new charges over those deaths, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Tuesday.
The CPS had been considering additional charges against Letby in connection with nine babies, but ultimately determined that the evidence did not meet the required standard for bringing fresh charges. The agency has maintained its convictions from previous trials at Manchester crown court, which resulted in 15 whole-life prison terms for Letby.
The decision has come as a shock to Cheshire constabulary, which had been investigating Letby since 2017 and expressed "surprise and disappointment" at the CPS's findings. The force emphasized that its investigation into hospital bosses was ongoing, particularly regarding allegations of corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter.
Letby maintains her innocence, with her barrister stating that there is "overwhelming evidence" that she never harmed any children. Her legal team has submitted a dossier of 31 reports compiled by 26 experts, which they claim undermines her convictions. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is now considering this evidence, and Letby's lawyers are urging the panel to conclude its review quickly and refer the case back to the court of appeal.
The CPS had initially considered 11 new offences, including two murders and two attempted murders in relation to two babies who died. However, prosecutors ultimately determined that the evidence did not meet the required standard for bringing fresh charges.
Letby's conviction has been one of the most contentious in recent British legal history. Her case has sparked public debate about miscarriages of justice, with some experts questioning the original investigation and convictions. David Davis, a senior Conservative MP, welcomed the CPS decision, stating that Letby was the victim of "one of the major injustices of modern times".
The CPS had been considering additional charges against Letby in connection with nine babies, but ultimately determined that the evidence did not meet the required standard for bringing fresh charges. The agency has maintained its convictions from previous trials at Manchester crown court, which resulted in 15 whole-life prison terms for Letby.
The decision has come as a shock to Cheshire constabulary, which had been investigating Letby since 2017 and expressed "surprise and disappointment" at the CPS's findings. The force emphasized that its investigation into hospital bosses was ongoing, particularly regarding allegations of corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter.
Letby maintains her innocence, with her barrister stating that there is "overwhelming evidence" that she never harmed any children. Her legal team has submitted a dossier of 31 reports compiled by 26 experts, which they claim undermines her convictions. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is now considering this evidence, and Letby's lawyers are urging the panel to conclude its review quickly and refer the case back to the court of appeal.
The CPS had initially considered 11 new offences, including two murders and two attempted murders in relation to two babies who died. However, prosecutors ultimately determined that the evidence did not meet the required standard for bringing fresh charges.
Letby's conviction has been one of the most contentious in recent British legal history. Her case has sparked public debate about miscarriages of justice, with some experts questioning the original investigation and convictions. David Davis, a senior Conservative MP, welcomed the CPS decision, stating that Letby was the victim of "one of the major injustices of modern times".