THE Crown Prosecution Service has explained why it sought to have a retrial for one outstanding charge of attempted murder in the case of nurse Lucy Letby.
The 33-year-old, from Hereford, was sentenced to a whole life order after jurors convicted her of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neonatal unit in 2015 and 2016.
However, the jury in her trial at Manchester Crown Court was unable to reach verdicts last month on six counts of attempted murder in relation to five children.
This morning (September 25), the prosecution, headed by Nicholas Johnson KC, said they were seeking a retrial in the case of the attempted murder of Child K.
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The remaining counts would 'lie on file' which means there was no result.
Letby appeared via video link from HMP Newhall to hear the hearing from court 4 at Manchester Crown Court.
Jonathan Storer, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “These decisions on whether to seek retrials on the remaining counts of attempted murder were extremely complex and difficult.
“Before reaching our conclusions we listened carefully to the views of the families affected, police and prosecution counsel.
“Many competing factors were considered including the evidence heard by the court during the long trial and its impact on our legal test for proceeding with a prosecution.
“We have met with all the families affected by these decisions to explain how they were reached.”
A provisional date of June 10, 2024 for the retrial has been set with it lasting two to three weeks.
Earlier this month, Letby, who is originally from Arran Avenue, formally lodged a bid to challenge her conviction at the Court of Appeal.
The judge therefore said it would be 'inappropriate' for the retrial to take place until the appeal application was processed.
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