Colin Campbell appeals murder conviction amid new evidence

Colin Campbell, a former nurse convicted in 2008 of murdering four elderly women and attempting to murder a fifth by insulin injection, has begun an appeal nearly two decades after his trial. The prosecution's case was based largely on circumstantial evidence, emphasizing the rarity of spontaneous, severe hypoglycemia and Campbell's presence during the incidents. However, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has referred the case for appeal, highlighting new expert evidence and advancements in medical knowledge suggesting the deaths may have been due to natural causes rather than foul play. During the appeal, Campbell's legal team pointed to additional cases of unexplained hypoglycemia in elderly patients at the same hospitals after Campbell left, which were not attributed to criminal acts, and noted that similarities in patient age were not discussed at the original trial. The case raises questions about the reliability of the original convictions given evolving medical understanding and the circumstantial nature of the evidence. Campbell continues to deny all wrongdoing.