NESTON and Ellesmere Port MP Andrew Miller's forecast that jailed constituent Louise Woodward could be home for Christmas may come true.
The American judge showed mercy and sensationally threw out a jury's murder verdict. He reduced Louise's conviction to involuntary manslaughter and sentenced her to 279 days - exactly the length of time she has already spent in jail. Louise has to remain in America in case of appeals, but supporters in her home village of Elton, near Ellesmere Port, hopes she will be home for Christmas.
Mr Miller cautiously anticipated this after last week's equally sensational verdict. He immediately joined the fight for release after her conviction in America for the murder of eight-month-old baby Matthew Eappen.
Mr Miller believed it best not not to get involved in the American justice system and trust in the judge. However, Mr Miller, diplomatically, represented the interests of his 19-year-old constituent.
Her parents, Gary and Sue Woodward, of Elton, were in America to be close to their daughter and remain there with her. Sue worked at Carlett Park College, Eastham.
Back home, Louise's sister Vicky, said: "I just can't wait for her to come home."
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