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Kathleen Folbigg granted ‘unconditional pardon’
Kathleen Folbigg has been granted an unconditional pardon and will be released from prison “without delay” following an inquiry that analysed new evidence into the deaths of her four infant children.
Naomi Neilson
Following the April inquiry, which heard a genetic variant could be the cause of death for Ms Folbigg’s daughters Sarah and Laura, Attorney-General Michael Daley has announced he recommended to the governor to grant an “unconditional pardon”.
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“I have reached a view that there is reasonable doubt as to Ms Folbigg’s guilt,” Mr Daley announced.
“She has now been pardoned.
“This has been a terrible ordeal for anyone concerned, and I hope our actions today can put some closure on this 20-year matter.”
In 2003, Ms Folbigg was convicted of the manslaughter of her child Caleb, the inflection of grievous bodily harm of her son Patrick and the murders of her children Sarah, Laura and Patrick.
A review and an appeal upheld those convictions.
Mr Daley said the difference between this decision and those attempts to overturn her conviction was that “new evidence has come to light”.
Mr Daley refused to comment on compensation, telling the media that they were “getting ahead of ourselves” and that it would take time for former chief justice Tom Bathurst to hand down his final report.
Much of the inquiry focused on the genetic mutation CALM2 G114R, which was recently added to the list of mutations on ClinVar.
World-leading experts were invited to the inquiry to discuss the variant, and all but one said there is a reasonable possibility of death.
“I wish Ms Folbigg well for the rest of her life,” Mr Daley said.
More to come.
