Crime & justice

New Research Challenges Evidence in Lucy Letby's Conviction

Was Letby rightfully convicted of murder or was she the victim of a catastrophic miscarriage of justice?

Published MAY 1

New Research Challenges Evidence in Lucy Letby's Conviction

Story

Above: A TV broadcasts the judge sentencing Lucy Letby in Manchester, England, on Aug. 21, 2023. Image credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The Facts

New peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Diabetes, Science and Technology by Prof Geoff Chase and chemical engineer Helen Shannon argues that four in 10 preterm babies show naturally high insulin readings. The findings challenge evidence used to convict former nurse Lucy Letby of infanticide.
The Telegraph
The Justice Gap
Sage Journals
Lucy Letby, a former neonatal nurse, was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to kill seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. She received 15 whole-life terms and has twice been turned away from the Court of Appeal.
Express.co.uk
The Sun
Crown Prosecution Service
The prosecution argued that blood insulin levels in two babies were so high that it was "impossible" they occurred naturally. Chase and Shannon found that babies born with antibodies that bind to insulin can keep hormone levels elevated, particularly following infection or antibiotic exposure.
The Telegraph
The Sun
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Both babies in the insulin cases had been treated with antibiotics for suspected sepsis. The neonatal unit had also been working to eliminate a bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which had colonized taps at the hospital.
The Telegraph
The Justice Gap
Sage Journals
In March, Policing Minister Sarah Jones told the House of Commons that a "meticulous and very lengthy investigation" led to Letby's arrest, and that due process — including independent CPS assessment, a jury trial and two appeal processes — had been followed in her conviction.
Express.co.uk
The Justice Gap
ITV
However, former Cabinet minister Sir David Davis called the research "clear new evidence" and urged the Criminal Cases Review Commission to refer the case back to the Court of Appeal, describing the insulin evidence as "integral to Letby's conviction."
The Telegraph
Express.co.uk
Independent

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Lucy Letby was found guilty after a jury deliberated overwhelming evidence for more than 100 hours. Post-it notes on which she wrote 'I killed them all' and baby collapses tied exclusively to her shifts go far beyond coincidence. With her conviction, justice was served for families who waited eight years to see accountability for crimes committed against the most defenseless victims imaginable.

Sky News

r/lucyletby on Reddit

Narrative B

The insulin evidence that anchored Letby's conviction has been shattered by peer-reviewed research showing premature babies naturally produce sky-high insulin readings — especially when exposed to infection or antibiotics, exactly the conditions present at Countess of Chester. The jury was told these levels were impossible without poisoning, but that was flat-out wrong. The CCRC must refer this case to the Court of Appeal immediately.

Guy Rowland on X

r/lucyletby on Reddit