US professor charged with boyfriend's murder begs judge to be freed to join fight against coronavirus

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Professor Wyndham Lathem is charged with the murder of a 26-year-old hair stylist

A US professor charged with the murder of his boyfriend has asked a judge to be freed on bail so his research skills could be used in the fight against coronavirus.

Microbiologist Wyndham Lathem, 45, is accused in the 2017 stabbing of 26-year-old hair stylist Trenton Cornell-Duranleau.

Lathem asked a judge to be freed on bail claiming his academic knowledge could be useful and health issues put him at a greater risk if he contracted Covid-19.

The Chicago Sun-Times, citing court records, reported Judge Charles Burns denied granting Lathem bail in an emergency hearing conducted via teleconference.

Stabbed to death: Trenton Cornell-Duranleau

Lathem, who worked at Northwestern University in Chicago, is accused of attacking Trenton while he was sleeping. Mr Cornell was found with more than 40 stab wounds on July 27 in 2017.

The microbiologist's alleged accomplice, ex-Oxford University employee Andrew Warren, pleaded guilty last year in a deal that calls for him to testify against Lathem, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Oxford University employee Andrew Warren, 56, and Wyndham Lathem, a US college worker

The two academics were on the run for eight days before handing themselves in.

Dr William Goldman, chair of Microbiology and Immunology at University of North Carolina, in an email appended to Lathem’s motion, said: “With his background and experience, Dr Lathem is well-suited to advise and participate in studies that are aimed at understanding SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It would make sense to take advantage of as many experts as possible during this worldwide crisis that is rapidly expanding in scope.”

The Professor's lawyer Adam Sheppard said the microbiologist was disappointed by the ruling, adding his client reported mild symptoms of Covid-19 on Friday.

“We are deeply concerned about his health,” Mr Sheppard said.

“He had been hopeful that he might get out (on bond), but he was not overly optimistic.”

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