New evidence

The first hearing block in the Kathleen Folbigg Inquiry kicked off on Monday and was listed to run for two weeks.

But it was adjourned for three months yesterday to allow time to review new evidence that has been presented.

Genetic experts Mette Nyegaard and Michael Toft Overgaard travelled from Denmark to appear at the Inquiry.

They are co-authors of research published in March 2021 that found a rare inherited genetic mutation, CALM2-G114R, may cause cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death in children.

The rare genetic mutation was found in Kathleen’s daughters Laura and Sarah. Their research discovered that it interferes with sodium and calcium levels, which are important for heart function.

Read an explanation of why it can be deadly in Cosmos Magazine.

Chief justice Tom Bathurst adjourned the Inquiry until February 2023. He said the parties involved in the inquiry needed time to process the new evidence.

He described it as “new and quite exceptional” information.

As my friend Tracy notes: “Beyond reasonable doubt? Hell yes!”

Tracy is the driving force behind the campaign to free our high school friend Kath from jail. That’s Tracy in the red top in the main pic, beside Kath in the blue dress, with me on the far right.

Not many people get the chance to do something extraordinary in their lives. Even fewer are brave enough to pursue it.

But Tracy has campaigned for many years to keep the case in the public eye and never lost hope. She talks to Kath almost every day on the phone and has been relentless in her pursuit of justice.

I don’t think the tide of opinion about the case would have turned without Tracy’s passionate involvement. She won’t give up until Kath is free.

Thank you Tracy for being who you are and always fighting for what you believe in. We need more people with big hearts and steely resolves like yours in this world.

Kath has spent nearly 20 years in prison after being convicted in 2003 of killing her four children.

It is unimaginable.

Now she will wait another three months until the inquiry begins again. And who knows how long after that for a final decision to be made.

I owe Kath a letter. It is long overdue. I’d better get cracking.