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Mother did not kill 'salt baby' | Mother did not kill 'salt baby' |
(10 minutes later) | |
A mother has been cleared of murdering her son by poisoning him with salt. | A mother has been cleared of murdering her son by poisoning him with salt. |
Marianne Williams, from Wiltshire, was found not guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of killing 15-month-old Joshua Taylor. | Marianne Williams, from Wiltshire, was found not guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of killing 15-month-old Joshua Taylor. |
The 24-year-old had repeatedly denied murdering Joshua, who had been born prematurely with kidney failure. She was also cleared of his manslaughter. | The 24-year-old had repeatedly denied murdering Joshua, who had been born prematurely with kidney failure. She was also cleared of his manslaughter. |
Tests showed Joshua had high levels of sodium in his body when he died at Southampton General Hospital in 2004. | Tests showed Joshua had high levels of sodium in his body when he died at Southampton General Hospital in 2004. |
Cheers and tears | Cheers and tears |
Miss Williams had stood trembling in the dock as the verdict was read out. | Miss Williams had stood trembling in the dock as the verdict was read out. |
She wiped away tears when she heard that she had been cleared of both charges, to cheers from the defendant's supporters in the public gallery. | |
Outside court, Miss Williams still shaking but jubilant, said: "I'm just overwhelmed. It has been a long time coming." | Outside court, Miss Williams still shaking but jubilant, said: "I'm just overwhelmed. It has been a long time coming." |
The jury of six women and six men had taken two-and-a-half hours to reach a verdict. | |
Joshua had medical problems and needed daily medication | Joshua had medical problems and needed daily medication |
During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Miss Williams, who was on antidepressants, killed her son because she felt she could not cope. | During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Miss Williams, who was on antidepressants, killed her son because she felt she could not cope. |
But the defence said Joshua died as a result of a combination of his medical condition and the drugs he was taking for his care. | But the defence said Joshua died as a result of a combination of his medical condition and the drugs he was taking for his care. |
Miss Williams, originally from Wales, was 21 when Joshua died. | Miss Williams, originally from Wales, was 21 when Joshua died. |
Joshua had been born 12 weeks prematurely on 26 November, 2002, when Miss Williams had been in a long-term relationship with his father Paul Taylor. | |
A twin had died in the womb. | |
Joshua weighed 2lb 10oz (1.2kg) at birth and had a number of medical problems, including very small kidneys. | Joshua weighed 2lb 10oz (1.2kg) at birth and had a number of medical problems, including very small kidneys. |
Sensitive investigation | Sensitive investigation |
The trial was told that because Joshua's kidneys were failing, they would expel too much sodium. | |
He was given necessary daily dosages of sodium chloride to replenish his salt levels. | |
Outside court Det Insp Matt Johnson, of Wiltshire Police, defended the investigation, which he said had been "complex, and required sensitivity". | |
He added: "The decision to bring charges was only taken after lengthy consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and a meticulous review of all the evidence that was available. | He added: "The decision to bring charges was only taken after lengthy consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and a meticulous review of all the evidence that was available. |
"I'm grateful for the work and commitment of the CPS and I would also like to pay tribute to the police officers and support staff who worked tirelessly with dedication and great professionalism from the outset of what was a very distressing investigation. | "I'm grateful for the work and commitment of the CPS and I would also like to pay tribute to the police officers and support staff who worked tirelessly with dedication and great professionalism from the outset of what was a very distressing investigation. |
"I acknowledge the verdict reached by the jury and would add only that I am satisfied that every possible piece of evidence that could be found was properly presented." | "I acknowledge the verdict reached by the jury and would add only that I am satisfied that every possible piece of evidence that could be found was properly presented." |