I find the prosecution’s case compelling, but I’ll tell you where the seed of doubt is for me.
These babies’ deaths were not considered suspicious, despite post mortems and debriefs. And even despite a few voices expressing concern internally, the majority dismissed those concerns outright. So they looked retrospectively for foul play, and they’ve found it.
So the question for me is whether, were they to apply the same level of retrospective scrutiny to other premature deaths across the country, might they come across similar findings. It left an impression on me when Dr Evans said the specific lines of air seen in these cases are also seen in SIDS cases. Now, I don’t believe these babies died of SIDS, I’m aware such deaths can’t occur on a hospital ward. But it tells me there are ‘unexplained’ deaths in which this air is found without any explanation for how it got there. My understanding is the specific air findings referred to are not the same as normal port mortem accumulation of air. I’m not questioning the expertise of the experts, but it’s a cause of death that not many seem to know too much about.
In terms of NG air, Letby testified today that the NGs are not always aspirated before feeling. This is very significant information, because until this point I’ve understood that air being aspirated alongside milk vomit has no reasonable explanation, because the air would have been aspirated. But that’s called into question now.
The FB and handover sheet evidence is significantly weakened now the context has been added.
For me, the entire case hinges on the insulin poisonings. But even that has questions, considering we’ve had a nurse testify under oath that the TPN bag was changed unexpectedly the following day. And the pattern of her being the only nurse present is no longer there when only those cases are considered.
There are two outcomes from where I’m sitting, keeping in mind she’s not on trial for being a bit of an odd bod. Either we have frankly psychopathic and sadistic behaviour, like arranging a housewarming party in the minutes between attacking two vulnerable babies, and manipulating others beyond belief for much of her life, or we have a bunch of the worst coincidences imaginable in respect of a competent nurse who threw herself head first into caring for intensive care babies. There’s nothing in the middle.
I’m hopeful the jury will arrive at a decision, and I’m confident in our judicial system. I am also acutely aware that the jury are privy to much much more information that we are, and hopefully things are clear for them.
I also enjoy the chat, so happy to play devils advocate as it helps me to get a clearer understanding in my own mind.
All my opinion.
