Share this @internewscast.com

CANBERRA, Australia — An Australian appeals court on Thursday overturned all convictions against a woman 20 years after a jury found her guilty of killing her four children.

Kathleen Folbigg already was pardoned at the New South Wales state government’s direction and released from prison in June based on new scientific evidence that her four children may have died from natural causes as she had insisted.

The pardon was seen as the quickest way of getting the 56-year-old out of prison before an inquiry into the new evidence recommended the New South Wales Court of Appeals consider quashing her convictions.

Applause filled the courtroom and Folbigg wept after Chief Justice Andrew Bell overturned three convictions of murder and one of manslaughter.

While the verdicts at trial were reasonably open on the evidence available, there is now reasonable doubt as to Ms. Folbigg’s guilt,” Bell said.

“It is appropriate Ms. Folbigg’s convictions … be quashed,” Bell said.

Outside court, Folbigg thanked her supporters, lawyers and scientists for clearing her name.

“For almost a quarter of a century, I faced disbelief and hostility. I suffered abuse in all its forms. I hoped and prayed that one day I would be able to stand here with my name cleared,” Folbigg said.

“I am grateful that updated science and genetics have given me answers of how my children died,” she said tearfully.

But she said evidence that was available at the time of her trial that her children had died of natural causes was either ignored or dismissed.

“The system preferred to blame me rather than accept that sometimes children can and do die suddenly, unexpectedly and heartbreakingly,” Folbigg said.

Her lawyer, Rhanee Rego, said their legal team would now demand “substantial” compensation from the state government for the years spent in prison. Folbigg had been labeled in the media as Australia’s worst female serial killer.

The inquiry that recommended Folbigg’s pardon and acquittal was prompted by a petition signed in 2021 by 90 scientists, medical practitioners and related professionals that argued that significant new evidence showed the children likely died of natural causes.

Her first child, Caleb, was born in 1989 and died 19 days later in what a jury determined to be the lesser crime of manslaughter. Her second child, Patrick, was 8 months old when he died in 1991. Two years later, Sarah died at 10 months. In 1999, Folbigg’s fourth child, Laura, died at 19 months.

Prosecutors argued she smothered them. She was convicted in 2003 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Evidence was discovered in 2018 that both daughters carried a rare CALM2 genetic variant that could have caused their sudden deaths.

Experts also testified that myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, was also a possible cause of Laura’s death.

There was also expert evidence that Patrick’s sudden death was possibly caused by an underlying neurogenetic disorder.

The scientific explanations for the three siblings’ deaths undermined the prosecutors’ case that the tragedies established a pattern of behavior that pointed to Caleb’s probable manslaughter.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera remembered by community after fatal Chatham shooting on South Drexel Avenue during operation

Community Honors Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera After Tragic Shooting on South Drexel Avenue in Chatham

The community in Chicago is mourning a 36-year-old mother and police officer…
WNBA news: Chicago Sky host Indiana Fever for first-ever women's basketball game at United Center

WNBA Update: Chicago Sky to Welcome Indiana Fever for Historic First Women’s Basketball Game at United Center

CHICAGO — The Chicago Sky are hosting the Indiana Fever Saturday for…
High-altitude view of the Chenab Bridge in Reasi, India.

India Unveils World’s Tallest Railway Bridge, Surpassing Eiffel Tower, in Celebrated £200m “Crown Jewel” Project

THE world’s highest railway bridge has opened – built with 30,000 tonnes…
Third teen death in national forest raises alarm as two high schoolers found shot during camping trip

Third Teenager’s Death in National Forest Sparks Concern After Discovery of Two High School Students Shot on Camping Trip

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! High school students Pandora…
'USAID' paperwork found in car of Boulder terror attack suspect targeting pro-Israel group

Man Charged in Boulder Firebombing at Pro-Israel Event Faces Federal Hate Crime Allegation in Court

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The person suspected of…
US soldier killed in vehicle crash while training abroad, Army confirms

U.S. Army Confirms Soldier’s Death in Overseas Training Vehicle Accident

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A U.S. soldier died…
Travis Decker, suspect in the murder of three young girls.

Mother of Three Daughters Claims ‘Something Snapped in Travis Decker’ While Sharing Heartbreaking Father’s Day Video

The mother of the three sisters discovered dead at a remote campsite…
US sanctions money laundering network aiding Iran as regime faces nuclear reprimand at IAEA

US Imposes Sanctions on Money Laundering Network Supporting Iran Amidst Nuclear Reproval at IAEA

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! On Friday, the Department…
Panthers win Stanley Cup Final Game 2 over Oilers in double OT

Panthers Triumph Over Oilers in Double Overtime to Take Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final

EDMONTON, Alberta — Brad Marchand secured a victory for the defending champion…
Colorado Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar resigns after calling Buc-ee's project opponents 'terrorists'

Colorado’s Palmer Lake Mayor, Glant Havenar, Steps Down After Controversial Remarks on Buc-ee’s Project Critics

According to local media reports and messages referenced in a lawsuit, the…
Israeli forces recover body of Thai hostage killed in Gaza by terror group

Israeli Military Retrieves Body of Thai Hostage Slain by Terror Group in Gaza

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Israeli military has…
Dems Are Losing Their Minds, Launching the Usual Fear Tactics After SCOTUS Lets DOGE Get on With Its Work

Democrats Panic and Resort to Fear Tactics as Supreme Court Allows DOGE to Proceed

It might seem cliché to repeatedly mention this, but it consistently arises…