Letter: Woodward verdict

Sir: Now that Louise Woodward's verdict of murder has been reduced to manslaughter, many Britons - led by some British newspapers - are planning a hero's welcome for Ms Woodward when she returns home.

Even with a reduced verdict and a sentence of time served, Judge Zobel reaffirmed the central fact of the case: she is responsible for the death of Matthew Eappen. She is no hero. To treat her other than as a convicted killer puts British nationalism above human justice.

DAVID O'NEIL

Boston, Massachusetts