For years, Kathleen Folbigg kept a photograph on her jail cell wall at Clarence Correctional Centre. The picture was of a farm in Grafton, rural NSW. It’s home to a small army of rescue animals and, where Kathleen’s best friend and long-time supporter, Tracy Chapman, lives.
It’s also now the property Kathleen, ‘Kath’ to her friends, calls home after she was released from prison and pardoned on June 5. Convicted of murdering three of her children, Laura, Patrick and Sarah, along with the manslaughter of her first child, Caleb, she served 20 years of a 25-year sentence.
That was, until last week when NSW attorney-general Michael Daley announced an unconditional pardon had been granted following new scientific findings. Daley announced that Kathleen, 56, and her daughters Laura and Sarah carried a rare genetic variant, known as CALM2G114R, which cast doubt on her convictions.
Tracy, who’s been there for her childhood friend over the last 20 years, was moved to tears at the news of her release, before an emotional reunion upon Kathleen’s arrival to the farm.
This story is from the June 19, 2023 edition of New Idea.
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This story is from the June 19, 2023 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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