Tracy Chapman has issued a message to Kathleen Folbigg’s ex-husband, who has not changed his view about the deaths of his four children, as the best friend also weighed in on how much compensation the 55-year-old deserved after being jailed for two decades.
Kathleen Folbigg could receive millions of dollars in compensation if her conviction is quashed completely.
Ms Folbigg has released her first statement since being set free from jail, revealing she is extremely grateful for being pardoned over the deaths of her four children.
Ms Folbigg was convicted two decades ago for killing their children Patrick, Sarah and Laura, and the manslaughter of Caleb when they were 19 days to 19-months-old.
She had always maintained her innocence but was sentenced to 25 years behind bars for the deaths of the four kids that took place between 1989 and 1999.
However, fresh scientific evidence from an inquiry found there was “reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Ms Folbigg for each of the offences for which she was originally tried”.
Tracy Chapman said Kathleen Folbigg’s husband there is “no point holding grudges” and urged him to seek help to find closure over his four children’s deaths. Picture: Sky News
Ex-husband and father to the four children, Craig Folbigg, took exception to the call to release Ms Folbigg from jail following the findings from a recent inquiry.
His solicitor Danny Eid told reporters on Tuesday Mr Folbigg “has not changed his view” and was convinced the 55-year-old was guilty of the killings.
“He is frustrated and disappointed he has to endure yet another chapter,” Mr Eid said, adding his client was the “victim in this case”.
“This is a man people say will heal over time. But with all this time the wounds continue to bleed for him. As you can imagine losing four children in those circumstances, closure is so important for him and his family.
“With 20 years of repeated attempts to try and overturn the conviction and multiple inquiries by the state’s greatest legal minds — the wound can never heal.”
Craig Folbigg (pictured with Kathleen) maintained his ex-wife was guilty of killing their four children, his solicitor told reporters this week. Picture: Supplied
Ms Folbigg (pictured right) with Ms Chapman after she was released from jail and driven to her best friend’s farm in New South Wales to stay. Picture: 7News
Tracy Chapman, who stood by Ms Folbigg from the beginning, was asked on Sky News Australia about Mr Folbigg’s comments in relation to her friend being pardoned.
“At the end of the day… his (retired chief justice Tom Bathurst who led the inquiry) report is comprehensive, I know exactly what is in that report in terms of the details that went into that case,” she said on Wednesday, noting she had not read the full report.
“I’ve always said, even though he doesn’t wish to hear it, Craig lost four children as well.
“I understand we all grieve differently. This case is a very important case in that regard that everybody has their own lived experience of grief and it’s not for us to judge.”
She understood how Mr Folbigg might still be “bitter” and “twisted” but the decision was the right call, adding she does not know how to help him process.
“Perhaps he needs therapy, I don’t know. There’s no point holding grudges and there’s no point being angry,” Ms Chapman said on First Edition.
Kathleen Folbigg releases statement video after prison release
Sky News Australia host Peter Stefanovic also touched on the topic of compensation and how much Ms Folbigg was expecting after being in prison for 20 years.
The final report from the inquiry stated the matter may be referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal to determine whether Ms Folbigg’s convictions could be quashed.
If successful, her legal team will initiate proceedings to claim compensation, which is set to reach in the millions of dollars, but those discussions were being held off, for now.
Ms Folbigg’s legal team will likely seek compensation after she was imprisoned for two decades. Lindy Chamberlain (pictured) was compensated $1.3m by the Australian government after being wrongfully jailed for killing her daughter Azaria in the Northern Territory. Picture: Supplied
“She doesn’t want to have those conversations now; she’s been very firm on that (but) eventually we must have those conversations because she’s got absolutely nothing left,” Ms Chapman said in response to how much Ms Folbigg wanted.
“I don’t know what price you put on 20 years (in jail) but my guess is it would be substantial. She needs to have something.”
Lindy Chamberlain, who was wrongly accused of killing her baby Azaria while camping at Uluru in the Northern Territory, and served three years of her life sentence, was compensated $1.3 million by the Australian government in 1992.
A coroner found her baby was killed by a dingo in 1982, which she had claimed, with the convictions later overturned following a royal commission in 1987.
For now, Ms Folbigg is focused on living day-to-day and enjoying her freedom on her friend’s farm near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.
Ms Chapman flagged her best friend has not thought about working as of yet, but might help with her animal-assisted therapy business she is setting up.