The upcoming docuseries will look at Louise Woodward’s highly publicised 1997 murder trial.
A three-part documentary exploring the 1997 trial of Louise Woodward, a British nanny charged with murdering eight-month-old Matthew Eappen, is coming to Channel 4.
The broadcaster has commissioned Louise Woodward: Villain or Victim?, a new docuseries set to examine the then 19-year-old’s murder charge, trial and appeal featuring lawyers, detectives, paramedics and journalists related to the case.
Woodward was a nanny living in Massachusetts in 1997 when she was charged with second degree murder following the death of Matthew Eappen.
While the jury delivered a guilty verdict after being presented with evidence of symptoms related to Shaken Baby Syndrome, the judge ultimately threw out the jury’s decision, reducing Woodward’s conviction to involuntary manslaughter and releasing her from prison.
The upcoming Channel 4 series will “detail and re-examine the divisive case, the trial and its conclusion” and will be released as a boxset on All 4.
“The media circus around this story means it has remained in the public consciousness for over 20 years,” Managing Director of production company Naked, Fatima Salaria, said in a statement.
“With the opportunity to look back with fresh eyes alongside exclusive access to both sides of the story, this documentary offers a new perspective on the case.”
Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment, Daniel Fromm, added: “With privileged access to some of those close to the case, this three-part documentary boxset offers fascinating insights into a trial that gripped the public’s attention on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Earlier this year, ITV announced that it had commissioned a documentary special on the Louise Woodward case titled The Trial of Louise Woodward, which would mark 25 years since the US trial.