Kathleen Folbigg, who was released from prison this week, slept comfortably on Monday night (June 5). The Australian woman, who was imprisoned in 2003 over the deaths of her four children, was pardoned after a judicial review found there was reasonable doubt about her original convictions.

Kathleen Folbigg, who was released from prison this week, slept comfortably on Monday night (June 5). The Australian woman, who was imprisoned in 2003 over the deaths of her four children, was pardoned after a judicial review found there was reasonable doubt about her original convictions. During a televised media conference, Folbigg's friend Tracy Chapman said, "She slept for the first time in a real bed, she has made a cup of tea with a real crockery cup and real spoons to stir with, which sounds probably pretty basic to you all, but she's grateful. Decent tea, you know, real milk," news agency Reuters reported. "She said it was the first time she's been able to sleep properly in 20 years, even though it was brief last night," Chapman added. 'Extremely humbled, grateful' In a video message, Folbigg said she was extremely humbled and grateful for the pardon and called her release a major victory for "science and especially the truth". Remembering her children, she said, "I have forever and will always, think of my children, grieve for my children, and I miss them and love them terribly." The 55-year-old was also mesmerised by the latest gadgets, including iPhones and smart televisions. "She has watched it in awe. Even the television, she was going, 'Oh, my god, look at the television, it's got so many capabilities!' ... she said she'll be watching some binge TV," her friend Chapman said. Folbigg is currently staying at Chapman's farm near Coffs Harbour, about 500km (300 miles) north of Sydney. She enjoyed her first night of freedom over pizza, garlic bread and coffee liqueur. Folbigg maintained her innocence in the case Kathleen Folbigg was convicted of the murder of her three children and the manslaughter of her fourth. The 55-year-old maintained her innocence throughout, saying her children died of natural causes. In 2019, an initial inquiry found evidence that reinforced Folbigg's guilt. But a second inquiry revisited her convictions in 2022 after new evidence suggested two of her children had a genetic mutation that could have caused their deaths. The inquiry, led by former Chief Justice Thomas Bathurst, also found there was a reasonable possibility three of the children died from natural causes, two due to a genetic mutation known as CALM2-G114R and one because of an underlying neurogenic disorder. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Extremely humbled': Pardoned Australian woman enjoys freedom after 20 years in prison

Once branded "Australia's worst female serial killer" Kathleen Folbigg, who has spent 20 years in jail for murdering her four children, has been pardoned. As per BBC, the woman was pardoned after new evidence suggested that she in fact did not kill her infant children.

Folbigg was convicted by a jury for the deaths of Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura over a period of ten years.&nbsp;

However, a recent investigation revealed that scientists believe the children may have died from natural causes.&nbsp;

<h2>Miscarriage of justice</h2>

This case has been widely regarded as a grave miscarriage of justice in Australia.&nbsp;Throughout the ordeal, Folbigg has consistently maintained her innocence.&nbsp;

In 2003, the mother of four was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murders of three children and the manslaughter of her first son, Caleb.&nbsp;

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The children, ranging in age from 19 days to 19 months, died suddenly between 1989 and 1999. Prosecutors at the time alleged that she had suffocated them.&nbsp;

<h2>Previous appeals</h2>

On 24 October 2003, Folbigg was sentenced to forty years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of thirty years.

An appeal in 2005 reduced her sentence to thirty years imprisonment with a non-parole period of twenty-five years.

However, the appeal and a 2019 inquiry did not find sufficient grounds to question her guilt and heavily relied on circumstantial evidence from her original trial.&nbsp;

<h2>The new evidence</h2>

This pardon follows a long-standing campaign advocating for the woman's release, which was sparked by a team of immunologists discovering a genetic mutation shared by her daughters that could cause sudden cardiac death.&nbsp;

The recent inquiry, led by a retired judge and former state chief justice Tom Bathurst, prompted prosecutors to acknowledge that advances in genetic research on gene mutations had altered their understanding of the children's deaths.&nbsp;

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Additionally, evidence surfaced indicating that her sons possessed a different genetic mutation associated with sudden-onset epilepsy in mice.

On Monday, the New South Wales Attorney General, Michael Daley, announced that Bathurst had concluded that there was reasonable doubt about Folbigg's guilt in each case.&nbsp;

As per Guardian, Bathurst told the attorney general that he had reached "a firm view that there was reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms Folbigg for each of the offences for which she was originally tried".

Consequently, the governor of New South Wales signed a full pardon, ordering Folbigg's immediate release from prison.

However, the pardon does not erase Folbigg's convictions. Her supporters on Monday reportedly began calling for "very, very significant" compensation for her.

A decision about Folbigg's convictions would be made by the Court of Criminal Appeal if Bathurst decides to refer the case to them.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Once branded "Australia's worst female serial killer" Kathleen Folbigg, who has spent 20 years in jail for murdering her four children, has been pardoned. As per BBC, the woman was pardoned after new evidence suggested that she in fact did not kill her infant children.

Once branded "Australia's worst female serial killer" Kathleen Folbigg, who has spent 20 years in jail for murdering her four children, has been pardoned. As per BBC, the woman was pardoned after new evidence suggested that she in fact did not kill her infant children. Folbigg was convicted by a jury for the deaths of Caleb, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura over a period of ten years. However, a recent investigation revealed that scientists believe the children may have died from natural causes. Miscarriage of justice This case has been widely regarded as a grave miscarriage of justice in Australia. Throughout the ordeal, Folbigg has consistently maintained her innocence. In 2003, the mother of four was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murders of three children and the manslaughter of her first son, Caleb. Also read | Zelensky's counteroffensive crashing? Russia says it killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in Donetsk region The children, ranging in age from 19 days to 19 months, died suddenly between 1989 and 1999. Prosecutors at the time alleged that she had suffocated them. Previous appeals On 24 October 2003, Folbigg was sentenced to forty years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of thirty years. An appeal in 2005 reduced her sentence to thirty years imprisonment with a non-parole period of twenty-five years. However, the appeal and a 2019 inquiry did not find sufficient grounds to question her guilt and heavily relied on circumstantial evidence from her original trial. The new evidence This pardon follows a long-standing campaign advocating for the woman's release, which was sparked by a team of immunologists discovering a genetic mutation shared by her daughters that could cause sudden cardiac death. The recent inquiry, led by a retired judge and former state chief justice Tom Bathurst, prompted prosecutors to acknowledge that advances in genetic research on gene mutations had altered their understanding of the children's deaths. Also read | WATCH | Pet dog gets lucky as Youtuber Brent Rivera gifts $20,000 luxury house Additionally, evidence surfaced indicating that her sons possessed a different genetic mutation associated with sudden-onset epilepsy in mice. On Monday, the New South Wales Attorney General, Michael Daley, announced that Bathurst had concluded that there was reasonable doubt about Folbigg's guilt in each case. As per Guardian, Bathurst told the attorney general that he had reached "a firm view that there was reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms Folbigg for each of the offences for which she was originally tried". Consequently, the governor of New South Wales signed a full pardon, ordering Folbigg's immediate release from prison. However, the pardon does not erase Folbigg's convictions. Her supporters on Monday reportedly began calling for "very, very significant" compensation for her. A decision about Folbigg's convictions would be made by the Court of Criminal Appeal if Bathurst decides to refer the case to them. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australian woman found innocent after spending 20 years in jail over deaths of her four children

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'Extremely humbled': Pardoned Australian woman enjoys freedom after 20 years in prison

Australian woman found innocent after spending 20 years in jail over deaths of her four children