Date of Incident: 5-1988
Date of Conviction: 1991
Exoneration Date: 2005
Sentence: 12 years
Sentence Served: 10 years
Contributing Causes: Perjury by witnesses induced by police threats, police misconduct
Compensation:
Roseanne CATT
Roseanne Catt was convicted in 1991 of malicious wounding, administering poison to endanger life, and conspiracy to commit the murder of her husband Barry Catt. She was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
In 2000, alarms were raised when it was discovered that the officer in charge of the case, Detective Sergeant Thomas, and Barry Catt were friends. Despite this information, Ms Catt remained in prison until August 2001.
The case was re-opened by request of the Attorney- General. Fresh evidence had been discovered independently by Ms Catt’s lawyers. A witness had come forward with new evidence.
An internal investigation was also initiated into the operation of the case. The close friendship between Detective Sergeant Thomas, and Barry Catt, was of major concern. The investigation highlighted doubts on the conviction of Ms Catt, especially when it came to light that Detective Sergeant Thomas had previously investigated, and tried to charge Ms Catt with arson in 1983. There was no evidence to support this charge, and criticisms were raised that Detective Sergeant Thomas should even be allowed to head the case, in which he had a close relationship with the victim. It was suggested in the investigation, that a firearm may have been planted at the scene.
Evidence also came to light regarding a cover up of confessions of perjury by a witness. The witness, Tracy Taylor, came forward and confessed to giving false evidence against Ms Catt, but said that this false evidence was given for fear of her life, and her child’s life. This fear was caused by threats from investigating police. The police went to her home and told her that she would be charged with conspiracy to commit murder with Ms Catt, if she did not co-operate. She was pressured by the police to give false evidence against Ms Catt.
In 2005, the DDP dropped the charges against Ms Catt, after she had served 10 years of her 12 year sentence.
