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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Mother cleared of baby salt death | Mother cleared of baby salt death |
| (6 days 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. | Marianne Williams, from Wiltshire, was found not guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of killing 15-month-old Joshua. |
| The 24-year-old had repeatedly denied murdering Joshua, who was born 12 weeks prematurely with kidney problems. She was also cleared of his manslaughter. | The 24-year-old had repeatedly denied murdering Joshua, who was born 12 weeks prematurely with kidney problems. 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 |
| The jury took two and a half hours to reach its verdict. | The jury took two and a half hours to reach its verdict. |
| Outside the court Ms Williams' solicitor, Jacqui Cameron, read a statement on her behalf. | Outside the court Ms Williams' solicitor, Jacqui Cameron, read a statement on her behalf. |
| She said: "Marianne is naturally delighted with the verdict and is extremely pleased that common sense has prevailed. | She said: "Marianne is naturally delighted with the verdict and is extremely pleased that common sense has prevailed. |
| Joshua had medical problems and needed daily medication | Joshua had medical problems and needed daily medication |
| "We as lawyers, however, are very concerned that parents, usually mothers, are continuing to face the grave charge of murder on what can only be described at best as complex, and at worst dubious medical evidence. | "We as lawyers, however, are very concerned that parents, usually mothers, are continuing to face the grave charge of murder on what can only be described at best as complex, and at worst dubious medical evidence. |
| "In far too many cases, as in this case, clinicians are much too prone to point the finger of suspicion at parents who are already vulnerable, having just suffered the death of their child. | "In far too many cases, as in this case, clinicians are much too prone to point the finger of suspicion at parents who are already vulnerable, having just suffered the death of their child. |
| "Today's verdict means that Marianne can go home to her family and begin to rebuild her life." | "Today's verdict means that Marianne can go home to her family and begin to rebuild her life." |
| During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Ms Williams, who was on antidepressants, killed her son because she felt she could not cope. | During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Ms 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. |
| Ms Williams was 21 when Joshua died. | Ms Williams was 21 when Joshua died. |
| Joshua was born on 26 November, 2002, after Ms Williams had been in a long-term relationship with his father Paul Taylor. | Joshua was born on 26 November, 2002, after Ms Williams had been in a long-term relationship with his father Paul Taylor. |
| Joshua, whose twin had died in the womb, weighed 2lb 10oz (1.2kg) at birth and had a number of medical problems, including very small kidneys. | Joshua, whose twin had died in the womb, weighed 2lb 10oz (1.2kg) at birth and had a number of medical problems, including very small kidneys. |
| 'Filthy stigma' | 'Filthy stigma' |
| The trial was told that because Joshua's kidneys were failing, they would expel too much sodium. | 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. | He was given necessary daily dosages of sodium chloride to replenish his salt levels. |
| Ms Williams' mother, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the BBC the last two-and-a-half years had been "absolutely horrendous" for her daughter. | Ms Williams' mother, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the BBC the last two-and-a-half years had been "absolutely horrendous" for her daughter. |
| She said: "Nobody can ever understand the two-and-a-half years, the memories, the devastation, the filthy stigma that she's had to live with and face on a daily basis, unless you've actually experienced these sort of situations." | She said: "Nobody can ever understand the two-and-a-half years, the memories, the devastation, the filthy stigma that she's had to live with and face on a daily basis, unless you've actually experienced these sort of situations." |
| Outside court Det Insp Matt Johnson, of Wiltshire Police, defended the investigation, which he said had been "complex, and required sensitivity". | 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 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." |