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30 March 2007 / Jennifer James
Issue: 7266 / Categories: Blogs , Public
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The untimely death of Sally Clark highlights the devastation caused by incorrect accusations, says the Insider

The Insider generally concentrates on the capricious things in life; sometimes, however, there is a serious news story that cannot be ignored. The death of Sally Clark a couple of weeks ago has struck a chord that will resonate for years to come. Sally was found dead at her home; the cause of death believed to have been natural causes, possibly accelerated by excessive alcohol consumption.

Alcohol dogged Sally. After her original trial for murder in November 1999 she was described as a lonely drunk who resented her babies and deliberately smothered them so that she could return to her former high-flying legal career. How the prosecutors could advance that theory with a straight face is beyond me, along with their promulgation of the now infamous ‘Meadow’s law’. This, basically, said that one cot death is a tragedy, two is suspicious and three is murder unless proven otherwise.

Against the odds

Cot death is a diagnosis made only

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

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NLJ Career Profile: John McElroy, London Solicitors Litigation Association

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From first-generation student to trailblazing president of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, John McElroy of Fieldfisher reflects on resilience, identity and the power of bringing your whole self to the law

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