Woodward appeals lodged

Woodward appeals lodged

The legal arguments that will decide whether Louise Woodward returns to a United States jail or flies home to Britain were last night lodged with a court in Boston, Massachusetts. Both prosecution and defence in the case of the 19-year-old au pair are appealing against her conviction for the manslaughter of eight-month-old Matthew Eappen after her trial last year.

Woodward, from Elton, near Chester, is appealing against the guilty verdict in a move which could result in a new trial. The District Attorney is seeking to overturn trial Judge Hiller Zobel's decision to quash the second- degree murder conviction brought in by the jury and to free her by sentencing her to the time she had already spent in jail awaiting trial. A hearing of the appeals is due on 6 March.