Dr Evans slams statisticians doubting Lucy Letby’s convictions
Expert witness condemns statisticians for questioning Lucy Letby’s guilt
Dr Dewi Evans, a key prosecution expert witness in the Lucy Letby trial, has criticised statisticians questioning her guilt, labelling them as ‘arrogant’ and ‘ignorant.’
Dr Evans’ reports were instrumental in convicting Letby for harming and murdering babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s neo-natal unit. He expressed surprise at statisticians’ interventions, claiming they lacked detailed knowledge of the case.
He emphasised that the police investigation and the 10-month trial at Manchester Crown Court were unrelated to statistics and opposed calls to delay or modify the public inquiry starting today.
"Is this a miscarriage of justice or not?"@owenjonesjourno says Lucy Letby may well be guilty, but the use of statistics along with other facets of the defence should be reexamined to ensure she isn't a scapegoat.
Saira Khan | Vanessa Feltz | #JeremyVine pic.twitter.com/cItOXbrywo
— Jeremy Vine & Storm Huntley on 5 (@JeremyVineOn5) September 6, 2024
Dr Evans stated, ‘It is astounding that statisticians are pushing this narrative. The investigation, the prosecution, and our testimonies had nothing to do with statistics. Statisticians lack understanding of medical practice and legal processes. They haven’t read the babies’ notes or the witness statements from doctors and nurses at the Countess, nor have they properly reviewed the Court of Appeal judgement affirming Letby’s convictions.’
Recently, 24 experts, including statisticians, scientists, doctors, and neonatologists, urged the Government to postpone the inquiry into Letby’s crimes, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall.
Tamlin Bolton, representing the families of six victims, found claims of Letby’s wrongful conviction upsetting for the families. She emphasised the importance of having all information before giving an expert opinion, describing other speculations as mere assumptions.
Bolton highlighted that the public inquiry focuses on the ‘duty of candour’ between patients and hospitals and ‘governance’ within the NHS, not Letby’s convictions.
She stressed on BBC Breakfast how upsetting these claims were for the families she represents. They sought time for further investigation and to address wider professional concerns.
Their letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood suggested broadening the inquiry’s scope to examine potential factors contributing to increased neonatal deaths, without presuming criminal intent.
The Government, however, rejected their demands, and hearings are set to begin at Liverpool Town Hall today.
Dr Evans warned that these calls would add to the families’ grief, showing contempt for due process and the victims’ families. He pointed out that the families had waited years to understand why their children died, and now face a lifetime of grief.
Parents of twin boys, Babies E and F, attacked by Letby, condemned those questioning her convictions. They found the comments ‘hurtful and distasteful’ and felt they were being misinformed about the trial. They highlighted evidence, such as the graph showing Letby on duty during each collapse and death, which statisticians claim is flawed, as being discussed out of context.
Letby, formerly from Hereford, murdered one of their sons, Baby E, by injecting air into his bloodstream and causing internal bleeding. Baby F was poisoned with insulin, surviving but with brain damage.
Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more in two trials. Her appeals have been rejected, and she is serving a whole life term in jail.
Recently, Letby replaced her legal team with pro bono services from renowned miscarriages of justice barrister, Mark McDonald, who believes in her innocence. He has been contacted by doctors, statisticians, and experts eager to take on her case and plans to seek another hearing at the Court of Appeal through the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Expert Witness Testimony – UK/US Differences & Lucy Letby’s Trial explains the key differences in expert witness testimony between the UK and the US, highlighting the UK’s focus on providing criteria for the jury to test their conclusions, and the US’s more definitive expert opinions, impacting Lucy Letby’s trial.(read more)
- Express.co.uk reports on a medical witness attacked for giving evidence against Lucy Letby, while the campaign to free her intensifies, raising concerns of a miscarriage of justice.(read more)
- The Guardian explores the safety of Lucy Letby’s convictions, highlighting doubts from experts over the reliability of medical and statistical evidence presented during her trial.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was the key prosecution expert witness in the Lucy Letby trial?
Dr. Dewi Evans.
Why did Dr. Dewi Evans criticize the statisticians questioning Lucy Letby’s guilt?
He called them ‘arrogant’ and ‘ignorant’ for lacking case detail knowledge.
What is the focus of the public inquiry into Lucy Letby’s crimes?
‘Duty of candour’ between patients and hospitals and NHS governance.
What was the reaction of the families of Letby’s victims to the speculation about her guilt?
They found it ‘upsetting’ and ‘hurtful.’
What is Lucy Letby’s current legal status?
She is serving a whole life term and has had two appeal attempts rejected.
