Saturday, June 25, 2022

Folbigg Inquiry: Australia: Huge event in the forensic world - propelled by new developments in forensic science. ABC News reports that retired Chief Justice Tom Bathurst will make up his own mind about new evidence at the Inquiry, which is set for November..."The NSW (New South Wales) Attorney General ordered a second public inquiry into Kathleen Folbigg's convictions for the murders of three of her children and the manslaughter of a fourth child, after claims new scientific evidence could clear her. Now aged 55, she was convicted in 2003 and has six years left to serve of her minimum 25-year sentence. Retired Chief Justice Tom Bathurst QC told a directions hearing today he will put aside the findings of a 2018 inquiry because new scientific and genetic evidence has been flagged. "Having particular regard to the genetic variant evidence … on completion I will report to the governor," he said. "It is incumbent on me to make up my own mind."


PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Counsel assisting the new inquiry, Sophie Callan SC, said there were 19 new pieces of evidence and a group of scientists from the Australian Academy of Science were considering assisting the inquiry. "It's an unusual inquiry promoted by new developments in genetic science," she said. "We submit your honour must put the findings of the Blanch Inquiry aside, it is necessary for your honour to come to your own view." If the Academy does assist, it will be the first time a body of scientists has intervened in a wrongful convictions inquiry in Australia. A group of 90 scientists last year petitioned for Folbigg's early release, arguing there was no medical evidence she smothered the children. They discovered two of her daughters inherited a previously unknown genetic variant from their mother, which could lead to sudden death."

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STORY: "Retired Chief Justice tells Kathleen Folbigg Inquiry he will make up his own mind on fresh scientific evidence," by Court Reporter Jamelle Wells, published by ABC News, on June 23, 2022.


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Key points:


  • A fresh inquiry will look into Kathleen Folbigg's convictions for killing four of her children

  • It came about after claims new genetic evidence could clear her

  • Retired Chief Justice Tom Bathurst says he will make up his own mind about new evidence.

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A retired NSW Chief Justice who will preside over a fresh inquiry into convicted baby killer Kathleen Folbigg says he will make up his own mind about new evidence that will be heard.


The NSW Attorney General ordered a second public inquiry into Kathleen Folbigg's convictions for the murders of three of her children and the manslaughter of a fourth child, after claims new scientific evidence could clear her.


Now aged 55,  she was convicted in 2003 and has six years left to serve of her minimum 25-year sentence.


Retired Chief Justice Tom Bathurst QC told a directions hearing today he will put aside the findings of a 2018 inquiry because new scientific and genetic evidence has been flagged.

"Having particular regard to the genetic variant evidence … on completion I will report to the governor," he said.


"It is incumbent on me to make up my own mind."


The 2018 inquiry by retired District Court Judge, Reginald Blanch, found medical evidence presented then, only reinforced Folbigg's guilt.


Counsel assisting the new inquiry, Sophie Callan SC, said there were 19 new pieces of evidence and a group of scientists from the Australian Academy of Science were considering assisting the inquiry.


"It's an unusual inquiry promoted by new developments in genetic science," she said.


"We submit your honour must put the findings of the Blanch Inquiry aside, it is necessary for your honour to come to your own view."


If the Academy does assist, it will be the first time a body of scientists has intervened in a wrongful convictions inquiry in Australia.


A group of 90 scientists last year petitioned for Folbigg's early release, arguing there was no medical evidence she smothered the children.


They discovered two of her daughters inherited a previously unknown genetic variant from their mother, which could lead to sudden death.


Her husband Craig, who gave her diary to police before she was convicted in 2003, the DPP, Police Commissioner and NSW Health will be represented at the new inquiry which is set for November.


Folbigg's children died between 1989 and 1999.


She is convicted of murdering Patrick, at eight months, Sarah at 10 months, and Laura at 19 months. She is convicted of the manslaughter of Caleb at 19 days.


Kathleen Folbigg has always maintained they died of natural causes."


The entire story can be read at:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-24/kathleen-folbigg-baby-killer-inquiry-into-convictions/101180418

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic"  section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com.  Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
FINAL WORD:  (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases):  "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices."
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
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FINAL, FINAL WORD: "Since its inception, the Innocence Project has pushed the criminal legal system to confront and correct the laws and policies that cause and contribute to wrongful convictions.   They never shied away from the hard cases — the ones involving eyewitness identifications, confessions, and bite marks. Instead, in the course of presenting scientific evidence of innocence, they've exposed the unreliability of evidence that was, for centuries, deemed untouchable." So true!
Christina Swarns: Executive Director: The Innocence Project;
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FINAL, FINAL, FINAL WORD: "It is incredibly easy to convict an innocent person, but it's exceedingly difficult to undo such a devastating injustice. 
Jennifer Givens: DirectorL UVA Innocence Project.