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S P E C I A L S The Au Pair Trial Pediatricians blast defense in au pair case
November 12, 1997
Web posted at: 9:26 p.m. EST (0226 GMT)BOSTON (CNN) -- Fifty doctors who treat child abuse victims released a letter Wednesday denouncing the medical evidence presented by defense experts at Louise Woodward's murder trial.
"Infants simply do not suffer massive head injury, show no significant symptoms for days, then suddenly collapse and die," said a letter signed by the pediatricians and intended for publication.
The theory used to defend the British au pair -- that 8-month-old Matthew Eappen died from an old injury that re-bled -- "is a courtroom diagnosis, not a medical diagnosis," the letter said.
"All of us just felt outraged that this type of medical testimony was being allowed to be passed off as truth," said Dr. Robert M. Reece, one of the doctors who wrote the letter.
Judge Hiller Zobel reduced Woodward's second-degree murder conviction to involuntary manslaughter on Monday and set her free, declaring the 279 days she had spent in prison an adequate sentence.
The judge said Woodward's actions were "characterized by confusion, inexperience, frustration, immaturity and some anger, but not malice." A finding of malice if necessary for a second-degree murder verdict.
The ruling drew angry cries from the baby's parents, Deborah and Sunil Eappen, from prosecutors and from children's advocates.
They said the ruling sends the wrong message: that you can kill a child and get away with it.
"Yes, people lose control and, yes, they do horrible things to children, but they need to be held accountable for it," said Suzanne Barnard, a social worker for the children's division of the American Humane Association.
Asked about the case, President Clinton's spokesman Mike McCurry said Wednesday: "The president believes that the judge was in the best position to make those determinations."
Also on Wednesday, a Woodward family spokesman asked reporters to "behave" so the family could come and go without interference.
"They want to lead a normal life," said Don Wegle. "Louise is doing great, but she just wants to get out with her parents."
Woodward has been ordered to remain in Massachusetts while the prosecution appeals Zobel's ruling.
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Related stories:
- British press hails au pair decision - November 11, 1997
- Reaction to au pair's release exuberant, grim - November 10, 1997
- Judge frees au pair - November 10, 1997
- Reaction to Woodward decision - November 10, 1997
Related sites:
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- The Louise Woodward Campaign For Justice - official support site set up by family, friends and sympathetic supporters of the British Au-Pair Louise Woodward
- Louise Woodward Support Page - supporters from Boston
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