An Australian woman convicted of killing her four newborns says her decision to pardon her after 20 years is a “triumph for science” and “truth”.
Kathleen Folbigg was released from prison on Monday after an inquest confirmed new evidence cast “reasonable doubt” on her convictions.
Originally accused of poisoning her children, evidence suggests they died from rare genetic abnormalities.
The 55-year-old said she was “humbled” and “grateful” to be freed.
“For the last 20 years I’ve been in prison, I have always been, and always will be thinking about my children [and] grieving for my children,” she said in a video statement. .
Ms Folbigg also thanked her friends and supporters, who had campaigned for her case to be reviewed in recent years.
“I wouldn’t have survived this whole ordeal without them,” she said.
Ms Folbigg was met at the prison gate by long-time friend Tracey Chapman, who said she spent her first day of freedom in simple joy.
They included a comfortable bed, pizza and garlic bread, and a Kahlua and Coke, with Ms. Chapman telling reporters that Ms. Folbigg was “in awe” of modern technology such as smartphones.
“Keith has no hate in her heart. She just wants to live the life she’s lost for the last 20 years and move on,” he said.
Ms Folbigg will now seek to have her convictions overturned at the Court of Criminal Appeal, lawyer Rehne Rego said.
“If Australia really wanted to make something good out of a tragic story, they would seriously consider reviewing the post-sentence review system,” he said, adding that Ms Folbigg’s case had taken a long time to be examined. .
Ms Folbigg, who has always maintained her innocence, made two unsuccessful appeals against her conviction and an earlier inquiry upheld the guilty verdict.
But on Monday the New South Wales (NSW) Attorney-General said Ms Folbigg had been granted an unconditional pardon because of another recent inquiry into her case.
The inquest, chaired by retired judge Tom Bathurst, heard that all four children may have died of natural causes.
A team of immunologists found that Ms Folbigg’s daughters Sarah and Laura shared a genetic mutation – known as CALM2 G114R – which can cause sudden heart attacks.
The heart condition, called calmodulinopathy, is so rare that there are only 134 known cases worldwide.
Evidence also emerged that one of his sons, Patrick, had died of an epileptic seizure.
The inquest heard that the circumstantial evidence of the death of her other son, Caleb, was undermined by the fact that three of their children died of natural causes.
The inquest also heard that Ms Folbigg’s diary entries which were used in her original trial should not have been accepted as admissions of guilt.
Her ex-husband, Craig Folbigg, contacted police after reading the diary entries, which prosecutors argued suggested she had harmed the children.
He says he is guilty, and his lawyer said news of his release had “added to his client’s pain and suffering for two decades”.
Ms Folbigg could eventually claim substantial compensation from the state if her convictions are overturned.
If her appeal is successful she can take legal action against the NSW Government, or receive a settlement payment from them.
