Networked Knowledge - Media Report

This version of the report is edited by Dr Robert N Moles

On 1 May 2007 Chalpat Sonti  of the Illawarra Mercury reported “International body looks at Catt case” He said that an international organisation made famous by wrongfully convicted boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is considering whether to take up the case of a Dapto woman. If the Association in Defence of the Wrongfully Convicted accepts the case of Roseanne Catt, it will be the first time it will have taken up a case in Australia.

Ms Catt spent 10 years in prison after being convicted in 1991 of ordering the murder of her former husband, Barry Catt, and other related offences, in Taree two years earlier. But six of the eight convictions were quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal in 2005, after it found there was sufficient proof to show evidence against her had been fabricated by, among others, two serving police officers.

Ms Catt is now seeking compensation for the time she spent in jail, dismissal of the remaining charges against her. She also wants charges to be laid against those she says perjured themselves to obtain her conviction. She has submitted fresh evidence to back her claims but says she is frustrated at delays by the State Government in dealing with her case.

The Attorney-General's office is still waiting on legal advice from the Crown Advocate. Ms Catt wrote to the Canadian-based association seeking its help. It is due to make its decision on the case later this week.

Director of Client Services Win Wahrer told the Mercury if the association endorsed Ms Catt's case it would work with her lawyer and assist them in any way it could to bring about her exoneration. It had never been involved with a case from Australia, but did have some international experience, Ms Wahrer said.

Mr Carter, who spent 19 years in jail for three murders he did not commit, was executive director of the association from its formation in 1993 until last year. His story was the subject of the film The Hurricane.

Source: On  1 May 2007 Chalpat Sonti  Illawarra Mercury “International body looks at Catt case”

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