Convicted child killer, Kathleen Folbigg, has been pardoned and released from Grafton prison in the last half hour.
In a live media address this morning, NSW Attorney General, Michael Daley, announced that the 55-year-old was to be formally pardoned and released from prison.
Ms Folbigg was sentenced to 30 years jail in 2003 after being found guilty of killing her four young children.
Sarah, Laura, Patrick and Caleb – aged between 19 days and 19 months – died between 1989 and 1999 in the NSW Hunter region.
The Attorney General’s announcement precedes the finalisation of a judicial inquiry report by former NSW Chief Justice Tom Bathurst, KC.
The inquiry earlier this year heard new scientific evidence that suggested the deaths of Ms Folbigg’s children could have been due to natural causes, with scientists telling the inquiry that new evidence suggested a rare gene mutation may have caused the deaths of Laura and Sarah.
In correspondence with Mr Daley, Mr Bathurst said he had reached the view that there is reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms Folbigg for the deaths of her children.
In his concluding paragraph, Mr Bathurst states, “…I am firmly of the view there is reasonable doubt as to Kathleen Folbigg’s guilt”.
Mr Daley said upon receiving the report he took the opportunity to ensure Ms Folbigg was released without delay.
“I spoke to the Minister for Corrections last night,” the Attorney-General said.
