THE ALLEGED accomplice of an ex-Oxford University employee that stabbed a hairstylist to death has asked to be released from custody so that he can help research coronavirus.

Wyndham Lathem, a microbiologist, asked a judge to be freed on bail saying his academic knowledge could be useful during the coronavirus pandemic and his health issues put him in a greater risk if he contracted it.

The 45-year-old professor, who worked at Northwester University, denies stabbing his boyfriend, Tenton Conell-Duranleau, to death in 2017 with Andrew Warren – who was a treasury assistant at Somerville College.

Oxford Mail:

Andrew Warren

Prosecutors previously spelled out how Warren and Lathem met in an online chatroom where they hatched a plot to kill Mr Cornell-Duranleau and then themselves.

Last year 58-year-old Warren pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in a deal that calls for him to testify against Lanthem in exchange for a 45-year prison sentence.

Read the story in full here.

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

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

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

Lawyer Adam Sheppard said that Lathem was disappointed by the ruling, adding that his client reported mild symptoms of Covid-19 on Friday.

He said: “We are deeply concerned about his health.

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