Lucy Letby attempted murder retrial begins
Former nurse Lucy Letby was back in court today on retrial for one count of attempted murder, on which a jury failed to reach a verdict last year.
Letby is accused of trying to murder Baby K, an infant whose identity is protected under law, in February 2016 while working as a neonatal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital.
“You will try this case, I repeat, on the evidence that is placed before you”
Mr Justice Goss
The 34-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Prosecution counsel Nick Johnson KC was due to open the case this morning.
This retrial was arranged after the jury in Letby’s original trial, in which she was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others, could not reach a verdict on the case of Baby K.
After the first trial last year, Letby was given a whole life prison order meaning she will remain behind bars for the rest of her life.
Letby unsuccessfully tried, twice, to gain permission to appeal her convictions.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Goss – who is presiding over the retrial – told the newly-sworn in jury that it was “highly likely” that they would be aware of Letby’s prior convictions and the last trial, the BBC reported.
He impressed upon them the importance that they try the former nurse on the evidence put before them, and that they disregard what they already may know about her.
“You will try this case, I repeat, on the evidence that is placed before you,” he said.
“You are the sole judges of fact. You will decide what is and what is not truthful from the evidence and the conclusions and assessment you draw from the evidence.”
