Genetic experts: new evidence casts doubt on Australian mother's murder conviction

Kathleen Folbigg was convicted in 2003 for smothering her four children. But two genetic experts told an inquiry that a rare genetic mutation probably caused the deaths of two daughters.

Folbigg, now 55, was found guilty in 2003 of three charges of murder and one of manslaughter. But growing numbers of scientists are convinced that recent genetic breakthroughs have created reasonable doubt of her guilt.

Mette Nyegaard and Michael Toft Overgaard, both researchers at Denmark’s Aalborg University, are among the authors of a scientific article published last year about a genetic variant carried by Folbigg and both her daughters, Sarah and Laura.