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Nanny on 60 Minutes

Arthur J Pais in New York

Louise Woodward, the most-discussed nanny in the world, is forbidden by the out-of-court settlement she had reached with the parents of baby Matthew, from making any money for herself by selling interview, book or movie rights to her story.

But Woodward would be soon seen and heard as 60 Minutes, the CBS programme watched by more than 50 million people worldwide, will broadcast her interview in a few weeks. Mike Wallace, veteran 60 Minutes correspondent, interviewed Woodward in London recently. 60 Minutes does not pay for the interviews.

Twenty-year-old Woodward escaped a civil trial of the wrongful death civil lawsuit brought by the parents of eight-month-old Matthew Eappen when she reached an out-of-court settlement with them about three weeks ago.

A civil case, which carries financial penalty, is easier to prove than a criminal case. While O J Simpson was set free in the double murder criminal case, another jury found him guilty in a civil case, and fined him over $ 30 million.

Eappens say that their biggest fear was that Louise Woodward could become a millionaire driving around in a Rolls Royce because she killed their baby, their lawyer Frederick Ellis said.

The Eappens, who are doctors working for Boston hospitals, had filed the suit not to claim compensation from Woodward -- who has reportedly been offered $3 million for her life story -- but to prevent her from capitalising from the tragedy, family friends of Eappens said.

Among other things, the settlement said she could only use for charity the money made from any interview, book or film deal. She says she wants to give away the money to UNICEF, her favourite charity, in case of a book or movie or interview deal.

But more important, Woodward, who is studying law at South Bank University in London, says she wants to clear her name and prove her innocence. She has repeatedly hinted as to who might have caused Baby Matthew's head injury - if it is not his older brother, she has said, the parents should be questioned closely about it.

"There is evidence that she was convicted of what she did not do," Wallace told the media. "I shouldn't say anymore than that right now."

Woodward was last year convicted of the second-degree murder of Matthew but the verdict was reduced to manslaughter by trial judge Hiller Zobel.

She was sued by the baby's parents, doctors Sunil and Deborah Eappen, in June, on the same day the state's highest court upheld a manslaughter conviction against her, but allowed her to return to England.

During the trial, the story made big impact not only in America and England but also in India. The Woodward family received thousands of dollars in donations primarily from English families who believed that the Boston jury would be prejudiced against an English girl. Boston has a large Irish population.

But as the trial ended and Woodward went home, there were many allegations that Woodward's mother might have misused part of the donations.

A police investigation has already been launched into the claims, believed to relate to an invoice for more than $15,000 which Susan Woodward submitted for accommodation at the home of American lawyer Elaine Whitfield Sharp. Sharp ceased to represent Woodward a few months ago.

British papers published a few weeks ago a leaked letter from lawyer Quinn Melville confirming that the advice of a barrister specialising in trusts is to be sought. The letter said, "Our role is to investigate this matter thoroughly on behalf of the trustees.

"We wish to gather as much information as we can and then to ask an independent barrister, an expert in the field of trusts, to let us advice on what steps, if any, can be taken to protect the interests of the trustees."

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