In 1997 a Massachusetts judge reduced the charges against a British nanny convicted of killing her 8-month-old charge, enabling her to get out of jail, earn a law degree and become a salsa dancing teacher.
Louise Woodward, 18, of Elton, England, was hired by Sunil and Deborah Eappen, of Newtown, Mass., to care for their two young sons.
On Feb. 4, 1996, Woodward called police saying she found 8-month-old Matthew unresponsive. He died five days later. When police questioned Woodward, she said she had been a little rough with the baby and she was arrested. During the ensuing trial, prosecutors said Woodward slammed the baby on a hard surface because he wouldn’t stop crying. The defense said the baby could have died from a head injury received several weeks earlier.
A jury convicted Woodward of second-degree murder, but a judge knocked the conviction down to involuntary manslaughter, saying Woodward had acted out of confusion and not malice. She was released from jail immediately for time already served.
