Police say staff at the hospital where Letby worked could face manslaughter charges.
Police made a “big mistake,” lawyers for Lucy Lebby claimed after saying detective staff could face manslaughter charges.
Mark McDonald, who represents Lebby, who claims he is a victim of a miscarriage of justice, said the expert evidence compiled by her defense team was “pointing his fingers” in a “very different direction” from where police are looking.
Lebby, 35, from Hereford, has issued a full lifespan order of 15 after killing seven infants, attempting to kill seven victims, seven infants and seven others at Manchester Crown Court between June 2015 and June 2016.
Cheshire Constabrary is conducting an investigation into the corporate manslaughter charges of Countess of Chester Hospital, where Lebby worked as a nurse, and on Thursday the investigation expanded to negligent manslaughter charges.
The unit said the suspects have been identified and notified in connection with an investigation into the baby’s death between 2012 and 2016.
The Sarlwall investigation, an open investigation into events surrounding Letby’s crime, is scheduled to be re-membered at Liverpool City Hall on Monday for the final closing submission.
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McDonald said: “On the eve of legal debate to stop the investigation of Thurwall, police have decided to issue a press release discussing gross manslaughter.
“We now have substantial and important expert evidence that has completely destroyed the prosecution case against Lucy Lebby and is pointing our fingers in a very different direction than what police are currently looking for.
“It’s time to take a step back and ask yourself if they’ve made a big mistake.”
In a previous statement, Cheshire Police said: “In October 2023, following the lengthy trial and subsequent conviction of Lucy Letby, Cheshire Constabrary began an investigation into corporate manslaughter charges at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
“This focuses on senior leaders and their decision-making and determines whether a crime has occurred in relation to the response to an increase in the level of deaths.
“As our enquiries continue, the scope of our investigation has expanded, including significant negligence and manslaughter charges.”
The statement continued. “This is another crime against a corporate manslaughter charge, focusing on the gross negligence or omission of an individual.
“It is important to note that this does not affect Lucy Lebby’s conviction for multiple crimes, including murder and attempted murder.
“We have been notified of the person identified as a suspect. There have been no arrests or charges yet, so we will not confirm the number of people involved or their identity.
“Both the investigation’s corporate manslaughter and the manslaughter component of negligence are continuing, and these timescales are not set.
“At 2012 and 2016, investigation into baby death and non-fatal collapse on the neonatal unit at both the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital is also underway.
“Our priority is to maintain the integrity of ongoing research and support the many families at the heart of these.”
Last month, an international panel of neonatologists and pediatrics experts told reporters that bad healthcare and natural causes are reasons for collapse and death.
Their evidence was passed to the Criminal Case Review Board. This is investigating potential miscarriages of justice and the Letby legal team hopes her case will be introduced to the Court of Appeals.
A spokesman for the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “With Turwall’s investigation and ongoing police investigation, it is not appropriate to make further comments at this time.”
