Margaret Smith

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Margaret Smith was found guilty of murdering her child (Keith). According to the court, her home was dirty and smoky and she did not appear to have the normal affection of a mother for her child. The case was launched after a seven year old girl told police she had seen Smith smothering Keith. At trial, evidence was also introduced from Professor Roy Meadows, who told the jury to be suspicious of the fact that Smith had previously taken Keith to hospital complaining of breathing problems and doctors found nothing wrong, as this was common in cases where women later kill their children. On appeal, inconsistencies in the seven year old witnesses testimony were highlighted (e.g. she had reportedly seen Keith’s death whilst she was away from school, but a school register showed she had been present) and Meadow’s evidence was deemed to be incorrect and prejudicial. On this basis, the original trial was flawed, the conviction was found the be unsafe, and a retrial was ordered. Smith was found not guilty at the retrial.

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