"A free woman": Kathleen Folbigg officially acquitted of her children's deaths
<p>After spending 20 years in prison for the deaths of her children, Kathleen Folbigg has officially been cleared. </p>
<p>The 55-year-old was released from jail earlier this year, after she was charged with murder and manslaughter convictions over the mysterious deaths of her four kids, Sarah, Caleb, Laura and Patrick.</p>
<p>Folbigg always maintained her innocence, saying her children died of natural causes. </p>
<p>On Thursday, Chief Justice Andrew Bell and Justices Julie Ward and Ian Harrison handed down the Court of Criminal Appeal judgement, finding there was reasonable doubt as to her guilt.</p>
<p>All of Folbigg’s convictions were quashed and a verdict of acquittal was entered on each count.</p>
<p>After the emotional ruling, Folbigg, her best friend Tracy Chapman and her lawyer Rhanee Rego, made a statement outside court.</p>
<p>“I’m grateful for the huge efforts of my friends and family, my legal team, scientific professionals,” she told reporters.</p>
<p>“The time this has taken in seeing today’s result has cost me a lot, not just financially but emotionally."</p>
<p>“For almost a quarter of a century, I faced disbelief and hostility. I suffered abuse in all its forms."</p>
<p>“I hoped and prayed that one day I would be able to stand here with my name cleared."</p>
<p>“I hope that no one else will ever have to suffer what I suffered. I am grateful that updated science and genetics has given me answers as to how my children died."</p>
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<p>“However, even in 1999, we had legal answers to prove my innocence — they were ignored and dismissed."</p>
<p>“The system preferred to blame me rather than accept that sometimes, children can and do die suddenly, unexpectedly and heartbreakingly."</p>
<p>“I think the system and society needs to think before they blame a parent of hurting their children.</p>
<p>“My children are here with me today and they will be close to my heart for the rest of my life. I love my children and I always will."</p>
<p>In her statement, Rego said Folbigg was finally a “free woman”.</p>
<p>“After 24 years, the legal system has finally listened to Kathleen Folbigg,” she said.</p>
<p>“Today she is a free woman — a woman who demonstrated courage and resilience to reject the claims made against her."</p>
<p>“But this story is about more than just about Kathleen Folbigg."</p>
<p>“It is a story about the good in this world, about a large group of people who saw an injustice and did something about it.”</p>
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<p>Folbigg was first jailed in 2003 after being found guilty of the manslaughter of her son Caleb, maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent to do grievous bodily harm on Patrick and the murders of Patrick, Sarah and Laura.</p>
<p>She was initially sentenced to 40 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 30 years. An appeal later reduced her sentence to 30 years, with a non-parole period of 25 years. </p>
<p><em>Image credits: Seven News</em></p>
