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Life sentence for au pair
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October 31, 1997
Web posted at: 10:29 a.m. EDT (1429 GMT)CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts (CNN) -- British au pair Louise Woodward received a mandatory life sentence on Friday for the shaking death of an 8-month-old baby in her care. The 19-year-old, who cried and asked "Why?" after jurors returned their verdict on Thursday night, will be eligible for parole in 15 years.
Woodward was convicted of second-degree murder which means jurors believed she intentionally killed Matthew Eappen and acted with malice.
Under Massachusetts law, Judge Hiller Zobel was required to hand down the life sentence. He had the option of setting aside the jury's verdict -- in effect, overruling the decision -- but such actions are rare.
Woodward's attorneys have promised to appeal the conviction.
Verdict brings shock, disbelief
"I didn't do anything," Woodward said through sobs as defense attorney Andrew Good embraced her when the jury's verdict was announced Thursday after 27 hours of deliberation over three days. "Why did they do that to me?"
At the same time, thousands of miles away, there were tears of dismay from friends and supporters in her hometown of Elton, England. The case received extensive coverage in Britain, where trials are not televised.
Behind Woodward in the courtroom, her parents sat without expression after the verdict was announced. Gary Woodward, a carpenter, and his wife, Susan, an employee at an English college, had said their daughter wasn't capable of murder.
Deborah and Sunil Eappen, physicians who have said they firmly believe Woodward killed their son, were not in the courtroom for the verdict. Prosecutor Gerard Leone Jr. said the couple watched the verdict on television and were pleased with the decision.
"They're obviously satisfied that the person responsible for killing Matty was found responsible," he said.
Defense gamble failed
Woodward's attorneys admitted they had gambled and lost on a trial procedure -- successfully narrowing what crimes the jury could consider.
At their request -- one which Woodward approved -- the judge did not tell the jury they could vote to convict her of manslaughter, which carries a lighter sentence. That left jurors with three choices -- convictions on either first- or second-degree murder or acquittal.
Defense lawyer Harvey Silverglate said Woodward also turned down several plea-bargain offers because she was confident that she could convey her innocence to a jury.
Prosecutors, however, said evidence that Matthew was a victim of abuse by the au pair was clear.
"This case wasn't really a close call before it got into the courtroom," prosecutor Martha Coakley said. "The jury was able to see through the medical evidence that this child had been harmed."
Correspondents Brian Jenkins and Hilary Bowker contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- British au pair convicted of murder - October 31,1997
- British au pair guilty of 2nd-degree murder - October 30, 1997
- Au pair guilty in baby-shaking death - October 30, 1997
- British au pair chooses 'all or nothing' verdict - October 27, 1997
- Cross-examination of nanny called 'minefield' for prosecution - October 26, 1997
- Nanny says she didn't harm baby - October 23, 1997
- Au pair accused of murder takes stand, denies guilt - October 23, 1997
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