Episode 13: Baby H, Part 2 "Whilst at Chester, her monitor regularly set off alarms. This didn’t happen at Arrowe Park.”
Jan 30, 2023
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This week, Liz and Caroline finish explaining the evidence for Baby H, a baby Lucy Letby is accused of trying to murder. Also, criminologist Professor David Wilson shares his interest in crime and punishment, including a miscarriage of justice case. Follow the trial on Twitter @LucyLetbyTrial.
23:54
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Quick takeaways
One key takeaway from the podcast is the conflicting views between the prosecution and defense regarding the cause of baby H's collapses, with the prosecution arguing that Lucy Letby deliberately harmed her, while the defense presents an alternative theory suggesting medical procedures as the cause.
Another important takeaway is the emphasis on fair treatment and protecting the rights of individuals in the criminal justice system, as highlighted by criminologist Professor David Wilson, who shares his experiences and discusses the impact of class privilege and prejudice on outcomes.
Deep dives
Overview of the Trial of Lucy Letby
The podcast episode focuses on the trial of Lucy Letby, a neo-natal nurse accused of murdering seven infants and attempting to kill ten others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The trial is one of the most anticipated criminal trials in recent years and involves shocking allegations of harming tiny, preterm babies. The prosecution asserts that Letby, who denies all charges, sabotaged the care of the babies while on duty. The episode provides detailed accounts of the alleged attacks on one particular baby, referred to as 'Baby H', including cardiac arrests and medical interventions. The podcast emphasizes the importance of ensuring a fair trial and presents insights from expert witnesses challenging the defense's arguments.
Questioning the Cause of Baby H's Collapses
The prosecution and defense provide conflicting views on the cause of baby H's collapses. The prosecution argues that Letby, who was involved in baby H's treatment, deliberately harmed her leading to the cardiac arrests. The defense presents an alternative theory suggesting that the stress of multiple medical procedures caused the heart to stop. Expert witnesses, including doctors, provide testimony, with some acknowledging poor treatment and hazardous medical practices affecting baby H's care. However, they disagree with the defense's claim and argue that the collapses were not solely due to medical causes. The episode focuses on the detailed accounts of baby H's collapses, the emergency responses, and the subsequent transfer to a different hospital for treatment.
Insight from a Criminologist and Reflections on Miscarriages of Justice
The podcast episode features an interview with criminologist Professor David Wilson, who shares his experiences and reflections on the criminal justice system. Professor Wilson highlights the role of class privilege and prejudice in the system, discussing how social background can impact outcomes. He recounts encounters with prisoners whom he believed to be wrongly convicted, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and protecting the rights of all individuals. The episode also mentions the case of Stefan Kishko, who was eventually exonerated after being wrongfully convicted and died shortly after his release. The interview provides a broader perspective on justice and highlights the complex nature of criminal trials.
This week, Liz and Caroline finish explaining the evidence the jury heard in relation to Baby H, a premature baby girl who Lucy Letby is accused of trying to murder twice on consecutive night shifts. Baby H was a poorly baby who was on and off a ventilator while at the Countess of Chester Hospital. But within two days at Arrowe Park Hospital, she dramatically improved. Prosecutors say Lucy Letby was sabotaging her care while she was at the Countess. Lucy Letby denies these allegations.
Also in this episode: Professor David Wilson, a well known criminologist who is sometimes called the real life Cracker, tells us how punching an opponent in the nose during a rugby game in university led to his interest in crime and punishment. He also opens up about the saddest miscarriage of justice he encountered - the case of Stefan Kiszko who was wrongfully imprisoned for 16 years before being exonerated.