Australian Mother Jailed For Killing Her Children, Pardoned | READ WHY
Faith Ukanwa
Jun 05, 2023
Australian Mother Jailed For Killing Her Children, Pardoned | READ WHY
An Australian mother jailed for killing her four young children was pardoned and released on Monday after 20 years behind bars, ending what authorities called a "terrible ordealÔÇØ.
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Kathleen Folbigg was dubbed "Australia's worst female serial k-illerÔÇØ after she was convicted in 2003 of murd-ering three of her children and the mans-laughter of a fourth.
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Prosecutors argued she suffocated the children, who died between the ages of nine weeks and three years, but Folbigg has steadfastly maintained each death was due to natural causes.
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In 2021, dozens of scientists from Australia and abroad signed a petition calling for Folbigg's release, saying new forensic evidence suggested the unexplained deaths were linked to rare genetic mutations or congenital abnormalities.
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New South Wales Attorney-General Michael Daley said Folbigg had been pardoned following an inquiry, launched in May 2022, that established "reasonable doubtÔÇØ surrounding the convictions.
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"This has been a terrible ordeal for everyone concerned, and I hope that our actions today put some closure on this 20-year matter,ÔÇØ he told reporters.
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Folbigg, 55, was released on Monday morning from a prison in Grafton, in the north of New South Wales state, where she had been serving a sentence of at least 25 years.
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"We've received confirmation that Ms Folbigg has walked free this morning and that she is in the sunlight, she's now free from prison,ÔÇØ said supporter Sue Higginson, a Greens politician.
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"It is a massive relief for all of those who have stood by Ms Folbigg.ÔÇØ - 'Absolutely delighted' -
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In the absence of firm forensic evidence, prosecutors had argued that it was extremely unlikely four children would suddenly die without explanation.
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But retired judge Tom Bathurst, who led the inquiry, said subsequent investigations uncovered medical conditions that could account for three of the deaths.
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Bathurst said Sarah and Laura Folbigg possessed a rare genetic mutation, while Patrick Folbigg may have had an "underlying neurogenic conditionÔÇØ.
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Given these factors, Bathurst found the death of Caleb Folbigg was also no longer suspicious.
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He said he was unable to accept that "Folbigg was anything but a caring mother for her childrenÔÇØ.
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Folbigg's friend Peter Yates said he was "absolutely delightedÔÇØ.
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"What we're particularly pleased about is that he's given Kathleen a full pardon,ÔÇØ he told national broadcaster ABC.
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"That means that she's free to live her life as a normal citizen and that makes a big difference to her.ÔÇØ
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While the pardon lifts Folbigg's prison sentence, Yates noted she would need to apply separately through the court system to have the convictions overturned, a process that could take "two or three yearsÔÇØ.
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The Australian Academy of Science, which helped to spark the inquiry, said it was "relievedÔÇØ to see justice for Folbigg.
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AFP
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— Faith Ukanwa