Woodward case lawyer claims defence rift

An American lawyer who met recently in England with Susan Woodward, the mother of Louise Woodward, has claimed in a sworn affidavit that a gaping breach has opened up between the British nanny and her defence lawyers in Boston.

While the allegations raise questions about the lawyers' relationship with EF Au Pair, the nanny agency that placed Woodward in America, their credibility of the claims came under swift attack.

In the papers, submitted to the court that tried Woodward but sent straight back by return post, Daniel Shea, a small-time lawyer from Houston, Texas, reports that Mrs Woodward complained that she was fighting efforts by the lawyers to appeal the manslaughter conviction imposed on her daughter.

Initially found guilty of second degree murder in the death of baby Matthew Eappen, Woodward was later given a reduced manslaughter conviction by Judge Hiller Zobel, and released on time served.

Mr Shea asserts that EF Au Pair wanted Woodward to proceed with an appeal. He says that if Woodward's name is cleared it will reduce the risk of a civil liability case that the Eappens may file against the agency. That could imply a conflict of interest for the defence.

There is, however, little to back up Mr Shea's claims. Andrew Miller, the Woodwards' constituency MP, who attended the 16 November meeting between Mrs Woodward and Mr Shea, said Mr Shea had misrepresented Mrs Woodward in his affidavit. "There is absolutely no question that the family is determined to clear Louise's name," Mr Miller said.