Kathleen Folbigg's Compensation Claim Stalled

 BY IAN CROUCH

Exonerated Hunter Valley mother, Kathleen Folbigg's compensation claim for wrongful imprisonment is reportedly falling on death ears.

News Limited reports the now 58-year-old has been ghosted by Premier Chris Minns after making multiple requests to meet him.

It's been more than two years since Kathleen Folbigg was released from prison where she spent 20 years for the deaths of her 4 children before being acquitted in 2023.

Her lawyer says the state government is still refusing to give a timeline for the compensation decision, describing the lack of information as ludicrous.

Kathleen Folbigg

 

  

 

Singleton Mother Kathleen Folbigg Has Her Convictions Quashed

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has quashed Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children. 

It comes after she was granted an unconditional pardon back in June, after having served almost 20 years in gaol. 

She had been convicted of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter. 

But, Justice Andrew Bell said new scientific evidence had brought to light reasonable doubt about her guilt, and it is appropriate she be acquitted.  

Speaking outside the court, the 56-year-old said it's been a long time coming. 

"For almost a quarter of a century, I faced disbelief and hostility.

I hoped and prayed that one day I would be able to stand here with my name cleared."

Justice Bell also noted how a Special Commission of Enquiry into Ms. Folbigg's case, heard it would be unreliable to rely on her diary entries as admissions of guilt.

She said there were legal avenues to prove her innocence back in 1999, and she never should have been put behind bars.

"Those books contained my private feelings which I wrote to myself. No one expects those types of things to be read by strangers, let alone opinionated on. 

They took my words out of context and used them against me; they accused me of something I never wrote about, never did, and never would do. 

I hope no one else will ever have to suffer what I have suffered," she said. 

Image: Newcastle Herald

Kathleen Folbigg To Face Possible Appeal For Her Convictions

BY OLIVIA DILLON

An appeals court will likely consider overturning Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's convictions over the deaths of her four children, following the release of the final report on the matter. 

The 55-year-old was earlier this year released from gaol and pardoned, after having served 20 years in prison for killing her 4 children; Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura. 

She was released after an inquiry heard there was evidence her children could have died from natural causes and there was reasonable doubt about her guilt.

In his report, Inquiry Commissioner Tom Bathurst KC found there was an identifiable cause for three of the deaths. 

He also said Ms. Folbigg's diary entries should not have been used during her trial. 

Mr. Bathurst has confirmed he will refer the matter to the Court of Criminal Appeal. 

Image: Supplied

Kathleen Folbigg Pardoned and Released from Gaol

BY OLIVIA DILLON

After 20 years in gaol, Singleton mother Kathleen Megan Folbigg has been pardoned and released from prison. 

It comes after Chief Justice Tom Bathurst, found "with a firm view" there is reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms. Folbigg over the murder and manslaughter of her four children. 

He said he's unable to accept she was anything but a caring mother to her children. 

NSW Attorney General Michael Daley made the recommendation of a pardon this morning to NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and she has accepted. 

The 55-year-old has walked free from prison. 

Folbigg's lawyers say they'll be exploring the matter of compensation in due course. 

Image: The Australian

Kathleen Folbigg's Legal Team Push for Parole

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg's legal team have launched a bid for her to be released on parole, pending the final report on the enquiry into her convictions over the death of her four children. 

Although the head of the inquiry, former NSW Chief Justice Tom Bathurst has yet to deliver his report to the Governor, the Director of Public Prosecutions has already accepted new evidence has given rise to a reasonable doubt about the 55-year-old's guilt. 

Fobigg's solicitor Rhanee Rego has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Attorney General to release her as soon as possible. 

It comes after a former Newcastle Woman of the Year and staunch supporter of Fobigg said she's waiting by the phone to hear she's been released from prison. 

Helen Cummings said she believes the case will go down as the worst examples of wrongful conviction in the history of New South Wales. 

Image: The Australian

'Reasonable Doubt' Exists in Kathleen Folbigg Case, Inquiry Told

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The inquiry into the convictions of Singleton mother Kathleen Folbigg has heard there is reasonable doubt of her guilt. 

The 55-year-old was gaoled in 2003 over the deaths of her four children.

However, the enquiry has heard today there is a strong plausible case for each child's death, including a rare genetic mutation found in two of Folbigg's daughters. 

It's also been submitted, her son Patrick may have died from an underlying neurogenetic disorder such as epilepsy. 

In addition, it's possible explanations for the deaths of those three children, could undermine the tendency reasoning used to convict Folbigg of her son Caleb's manslaughter.

The hearing has also heard evidence suggests it would be unreliable to interpret some of her diary entries as submissions of guilt. 

If reasonable doubt is found when closing submissions end, the case could be referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal, which may quash Folbigg's convictions.

A pardon could also be recommended, which would see Folbigg released from prison. 

Image: Canberra Times

Second inquiry into Kathleen Folbigg adjourned after two days

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The second inquiry into the murder and manslaughter convictions of Singleton killer Kathleen Folbigg over the deaths of her four children, has been adjourned for three months, so new scientific evidence can be reviewed. 

Two genetic experts from Denmark testified at the hearing in Sydney yesterday. 

They're the co-authors of a research paper published last year, discussing a rare genetic mutation which can cause sudden death in children. 

Ms Folbigg's two daughters did have the mutation. 

The inquiry will resume in February.

Second inquiry into Kathleen Folbigg begins in Sydney

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A second inquiry has begun in Sydney today, into the convictions of Singleton murderer Kathleen Folbigg. 

She's serving a minimum 25-year sentence for the murders of her three children, and the manslaughter of the fourth. 

An inquiry in 2019 found Ms Folbigg's convictions should be upheld.

The NSW Attorney General ordered a new inquiry earlier this year, however, following new evidence arguing a genetic mutation could have been responsible for the deaths. 

Scientists and medical experts will testify throughout the week.

Supporters hopeful second inquiry will clear Kathleen Folbigg convictions

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The NSW Attorney-General has ordered a second inquiry into Kathleen Folbigg's convictions for killing her four children.

Ms Folbigg was convicted in 2003, with murdering three of her children, and the manslaughter of a fourth.

But supporters remain hopeful, she'll be cleared on the basis of new scientific evidence. 

Ms Folbigg's lawyers are requesting a pardon, with many researchers arguing, at least her two daughters' deaths can be explained by a genetic mutation.

Supporter and friend Helen Cummings says the justice system needs to listen to the science.

"These were eminent scientists, four Nobel Laureates, 150 of them around the world," Ms Cummings said.

"If the law cannot accept their evidence into these sorts of cases, and has to push to so hard to say, you know, we're even willing for these experts to brief you." 

Attorney-General Mark Speakman made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, saying the evidence needs to be tested, before a pardon is issued.   

It's understood, a pardon alone would not have cleared Ms Folbigg's convictions.

Ms Folbigg will be eligible for parole in 2028, after serving 25 years of her 30 year sentence.

Ms Cummings says she's hoping it's the end to a painful story.

"There are two parents in this whole saga, and you know unfortunately this is going to show possibly the worst miscarriage of justice in the world, that's how it's going to end up," Ms Cummings said.

"It's sad for Kathleen, she's still in prison, she shouldn't be.

"I mean, what is prison about? Are we protecting society from Kathleen? It's still punishing her, it's very wrong.

"I hope this is fast, and she can clear her name."

Kathleen Folbigg Makes Desperate Plea For Clemency

BY IAN CROUCH

The woman at the centre of Singleton's notorious child killer case has written to the state's Attorney General begging him to reconsider her Petition for Pardon.

Kathleen Folbigg is 18 years into a minimum 25 year sentence for the murder of three of her children and the manslaughter of a fourth child.

90 eminent scientists recently signed a petition arguing for her release based on new evidence which suggests all four children died as the result of a genetic mutation.

In a handwritten letter, Folbigg has begged NSW Attorney General, Mark Speakman to 'soften his heart' and grant her petition, saying she has always protested her innocence and regrets following the advice given to her at the time to not give evidence at her trial.

Kathleen Folbigg at an inquiry into her
convictions in 2019

Kathleen Folbigg Loses Final Appeal: Convictions To Stand

BY IAN CROUCH

Notorious Singleton child killer, Kathleen Folbigg will remain behind bars after losing the final avenue of appeal against her convictions for killing her four babies.

The 52-year-old is serving a 30 year sentence for killing her four children Patrick, Laura, Sarah and Caleb between 1989 and 1999.

In 2015 her lawyer lodged a petition casting doubt over some of the evidence used to convict her, prompting NSW Attorney General, Mark Speakman to order an inquiry.

Former NSW District Court Chief Judge, Reginald Blanch chaired the inquiry which began hearing submissions and evidence in March.

Mr Blanch has now released a 557-page report following the conclusion of the inquiry.

He found the inquiry produced evidence which reinforced Folbigg's guilt and that he does not have "any reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Kathleen Megan Folbigg for the offences of which she was convicted".

Mr Blanch's report went on to say that "I find that Ms Folbigg's untruthfulness to the police and in the evidence she gave before the Inquiry was a deliberate attempt to obscure the fact that she committed the offences of which she was convicted."

He also found Folbigg's explanations concerning incriminating diary entries at the times of her babies' deaths to be "simply unbelievable".

Attorney General, Mark Speakman says he has spoken to Folbigg's former husband, Craig about the report and acknowledged the inquiry has further aggravated what already was "an unimaginable tragedy", saying he was sorry for the toll the inquiry has taken on Mr Follbigg and family members over the past year.

Kathleen Folbigg will continue serving her 30 year sentence and will be eligible for parole in 2028 at the conclusion of her 25 year non-parole period.

Katheen Folbigg: convictions to stand

NSW Attorney General Orders Inquiry Into Folbigg Convictions

BY IAN CROUCH

Fifteen years after being gaoled for killing her four children, the NSW Attorney General has ordered an inquiry into the convictions of former Singleton mother, Kathleen Folbigg.

She is currently serving a 30 year sentence with a non-parole period of 25 years in Cessnock Gaol.

Kathleen Folbigg has always maintained her four children, Caleb, Patrick, Sarah and Laura died over a ten year period from natural causes.

A team from the University of Newcastle Legal Centre petitioned the NSW Governor for an inquiry, arguing there was a lack of evidence showing the infants were suffocated.

Attorney General, Mark Speakman says there is sufficient cause for concern to warrant an inquiry.

"The petition appears to raise a question of the evidence that led to Ms Folbigg's convictions in 2003. That question concerns evidence as to the incidence of reported deaths of three or more infants in the same family attributable to unidentified causes," he said.

Inquiry Ordered Into Convictions Of Kathleen Folbigg. Picture Daily Telegraph