Mike McIntyre, the first assistant district attorney in Lehigh County during the case, said the petition is "crazy. Finally, four months after that dreadful day in December, a farmer plowing his fields found what at first seemed to be a pile of discarded clothing. After watching the latest Starz episode of Wrong Man (a great investigative show), I started thinking about the Patricia Rorrer case again. I was able to email with Patricia via the PrisonConnect platform around Christmastime. Family members found Joanns tan Toyota sitting vacant in the parking lot of McCartys, a nearby bar. They theorized might've simply started a new life with another man, but this seemed absurd to everyone who knew Joann. He said that the gun had an unusual characteristic: the gun would jam after firing one shot. Do any of the TV episodes suggest the possibility of their being held alive for some time? According to court papers from Patricia 2017 appeal, DNA on the cigarette butt found near the two bodies belonged to Appellant. (Prosecutor Michael McIntyre, however, told ForensicFilesNow.com that that the cigarette butt was never actually tested). Andrew described his existence with Joanne and Alex as a little Camelot., Ex-spouse off list. As noted earlier, there was hair found in the victims hand, fingernail fragments found on her body, and also a cigarette butt. (Media sources vary as to whether she actually worked at the stable or just rented a stall there for her own horse.). Further, an early FBI report said the hairs found in the car had no roots which contain the DNA suggesting an evidence switcheroo. Catherine Howard - Fifth Wife of Henry VIII Documentary after the fact. Traupman died in 2016. They theorize that Andrew Katrinak framed Patricia and that the hostile phone call between Patricia and Joann actually took place not on Dec. 12 as Andrew said but rather on Dec. 7. And Patricia wasnt all edges. They noted houses near the murder scene would have heard a gunshot in December, when no farm equipment is making noise, and question why the murderer didnt just kill Joann inside her house instead of risking being seen in public in her car. Every time you take your infant to the Dr., they take measurements, so I'm wondering if records exist that show the baby was always in the higher percentile, or if he was say, 60-70th percentile, then suddenly BAM! Another witness, Walter Traupman, who never testified, had told state troopers that on the day of Joanns disappearance, he saw a couple who looked like Joann and Andrew arguing about the paternity of a baby. Although the prosecution used it as evidence that she was trying to create a false alibi, it actually sounded more like Patricia was simply trying to nail down the facts he had already asserted to her. Criminals aren't always the smartest folks - this area highlights the common (and reoccurring) mistakes they make. Patricia Rorrer Brutal Killing of Joanne Katrinak & Baby - FFF Copyright 2021 Patricia Rorrer - All Rights Reserved. 'Dateline NBC' Correspondent Keith Morrison Explores Claims of a Unseasonably warm weather in late December suggested that the victims were there since they were killed. She claimed to be at a dance class in private club but her name was missing from the sign in sheet that night. Thank you for reading, please use the links, and watch all the videos. It's as if she had left with young Alex as planned but then somehow simply vanished. List of female murderers by name | R | Murderpedia Lehigh Cty.) 1994 double-murder case returns to Lehigh County Court - Lehighvalleylive Other loyal friends and associates attested to Patricias kindness toward horses and devotion to her daughter, whom she took along as she worked in stables. Joann was shot once, then the gun jammed. Patricia was wrongfully convicted and we will show you how! Any amount will deeply appreciated. Thats my life.. Wish me luck! Find a typo or issue with the details of this case? No activity on her bank account or credit cards took place after the day she went missing, so investigators dismissed the theory that she took her child and bolted. Here is the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDGl9dMgHwY&fbclid=IwAR1nlAYf6AcIu_i8kN0fD_MCD3CnxJ6DG_oUgVFdqN3b2EJ4fcLO2ci3wWc, https://www.amazon.com/Convenient-Suspect-Investigation-Railroading-Innocent/dp/B0777SGHL4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tammy%20mal&qid=1588982960&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR0xwJARGyijcn3BqdWAzXSX0l9C7kM-9UtBxQio4AsMv62neDLzggK1IrI. She is sitting in Muncey Women's Correctional Facility for over 23 years now for something. Finally, prosecutors challenged Patricia's alibi. Highly charged case. Police treated Joann's car as a potential crime scene, and their investigation turned up several blonde hairs on the head rest. She did buy a .22 before. Flaw in reasoning. Since 2010, Tammy has been researching the 1994 Katrinak murders in Catasauqua. Her husband Andrew's mother expected Joann to arrive quickly, since they only lived a few minutes away. At first, a broad-daylight abduction of a mother and her infant seemed unlikely. To commit the murders, Rorrer took her victims out to a location that was familiar and significant. And why was my defense not provided with the "No Roots Attached" report which is exculpatory evidence, at trial.? They would have been held alive. By that time, we had both moved on and I had no romantic feelings for him. Patricia Rorrer - Wrongful Conviction, Innocent, Nonprofit As for the murder weapon, police didnt find a .22 caliber pistol on Patricias property, but an ex-boyfriend claimed that she owned one and it would always jam after one shot. After Joann Katrinak, the wife of Patricias former flame, turned up dead along with her infant son, prosecutors suspected Patricia. "Deadly Women" Green-Eyed Monsters (TV Episode 2015) - IMDb When she stood trial that same year, she maintained her innocence and alleged that she and Andrew Katrinak had continued to stay in touch as good friends, so she wouldn't do anything to hurt him. She seemed like quite an unlikely suspect at least at first. So I was convicted of 2 counts of first degree murder and 2 counts of kidnapping. The six-episode documentary series examines the cases of three different inmates who are serving life sentences on murder convictions but who claim innocence. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/fbi-overstated-forensic-hair-matches-in-nearly-all-criminal-trials-for-decades/2015/04/18/39c8d8c6-e515-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html, https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/convenient-suspect-a-wrongful-conviction-in-the-murder-in-lehigh-valley. The witness said he would sign in as Richard Nixon or not sign in at all quite often. Patricias professional life included short-lived gigs as a Century 21 real estate agent and an Oldsmobile salesperson. As for an epilogue on ex-flame Andrew Katrinak, he has moved to Colorado and kept a low profile since the trial ended. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. But was Andrew in on this plan? Part 1. Obviously her husband Andy would be the main suspect (and his smirking after Patricia was found guilty was galling) but the Wrong Man team spoke to him and seem convinced that he was being truthful. The FBI Files (Family Secrets) mentioned that Patty also lied about being at a tanning salon. So now, lets find out everything there is to know about her, shall we? The case rocked Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley and resulted in the conviction of Patricia Rorrer, now 53, the ex-girlfriend of Katrinak's husband. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The Free Patricia Rorrer page responds to comments from supporters (How is this even possible that this woman is still in jail?!? His team includes renowned civil rights attorney Ron Kuby, former prosecutor Sue-Ann Robinson, retired NCIS investigator Joe Kennedy, and Ira Todd of Detroits elite Homicide Task Force. . Brad Jackson was able to describe what his daughter Valiree was wearing in incredible detail, down to the color of her socks. She is a tough one, Sheriff Gerald Hege would later tell the Morning Call in a June 29, 1997 interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDGl9dMgHwY&fbclid=IwAR1nlAYf6AcIu_i8kN0fD_MCD3CnxJ6DG_oUgVFdqN3b2EJ4fcLO2ci3wWc. Four months later, when their bodies were found in a lonely patch of woods, the police would launch a three-year investigation leading to the arrest of Patricia Lynne Rorrera young mother who had never met either victimas the monster responsible. "Wrong Man" Patricia Rorrer: Under the Microscope (TV Episode 2020 And even prosecutor Michael McIntyre, who wrote the book Hair Trigger about the case, acknowledged to Keith Morrison that it was a little odd that the police found blood on the hairs in Joanns car but nowhere else in the vehicle. It's been more than 20 years since Patricia Rorrer was convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend's wife, Joann Katrinak, and Katrinak's baby. In a million years, she wouldnt do anything to harm that.. Is to get Patricia a fair trial that will prove her innocence, and give justice to Joann and Alex who died a horrific death. Some recurring themes in Forensic Files facinate me. But none of those charges ever stuck. Counsel for Patricia Rorrer, 52, . After a successful first season, Starz has announced thatWrong Man season 2 will premiere on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 9:45 p.m. If I knew I was going to get caught, I never would have brought you into this world, the arresting officers testified they heard her say to Nicole. She had a lawyer who never tried a crimsoned case let alone a murder case, she believed that it would not be a problem because she was innocent. Keith Morrison Explores Claims of Wrongful Conviction in Investigation On Thursday, December 15, 1994, Joann Katrinak and her three-month-old son, Alex, went missing from their Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, home. Since then our team has proven that Patricia is innocent. Rorrer has appealed her conviction several times and her supporters believe additional DNA evidence . Patricia Rorrer: Under the Microscope - YouTube They allege that the North Carolina resident stealthily drove 500 miles to Pennsylvania and killed out of a sense of deadly indignation. If you subscribe to Hulu and upgrade to Starz (theres a free one-week trial offer), you can stream the Wrong Man episodes about Patricia Rorrer. Cop defends accused. After a very early failed marriage, the 24-year-old Joann scored a new husband in Andrew Katrinak, 38, whom she met at a club. The second season will continue to uncover new theories and reveal startling new evidence that could prove that three new inmates are, in fact, not guilty, according to Starzs press statement. Four months after Joanns disappearance, farmer Paul Kovalchik reported seeing what at first looked like a pile of clothes on his land in Heidelberg Township woods, about 15 miles from the Katrinaks house. A photo at the time showed that Patricia had dyed her hair blonde, which matched the hair found. A young mother and her infant son suddenly went missing just before Christmas in 1994. For two decades, Patricia Rorrer has always maintained her innocence. Andrew languished for weeks and then months as investigators failed to suppl any explanation for his wife's and son's mysterious disappearance. Previously on Wrong Man, we learned about the murder of Joann Katrinak and her baby.Were they murdered because Joann angrily hung the phone up on Patty Rorrer, the ex of Andy Katrinak? She said that shes no fan of Forensic Files and that the show had many misrepresentations about her case and that shed heard ForensicFilesNow.com mixed up some facts as well. (A good point. . Watch Wrong Man - S2:E204 Patricia Rorrer: Under the Microscope (2020 When police traveled to North Carolina to interview Patricia about the murders of Joann and Alex, she said that on the day of the homicides, she had visited a feed store, a tanning salon, and a country music club. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. She fought for her life and had defensive wounds including a broken nose and a broken finger. Nailed? However, it seems this was only after the bodies of Joann and Alex were found on the remote horse trail. Dr. Edward E. "Gene" Rorrer, Sr. Obituary It certainly tugged at our heartstrings, you know, it brought a tear to my eye. Mitochondrial DNA is the small circular chromosome found inside mitochondria. Hello guys! Patricia demonstrated a consistent habit of long-distance calls from home, then had an obvious gap while claiming she. The episode made a special point about locating the photograph of Patricia Rorrer with dyed blonde hair. Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Godfather of soft rock David Lindley dead aged 78 after months of illness, Prince George set to play key role in King Charles coronation but only if hes back in school ASAP after!, Idris Elba: Its MY prerogative to stop labelling myself a black actor, Stephen tWitch Boss widow Allison Holker tells their kids they will find courage, Which Outer Banks Character Are You? An exterior door to their basement had been wrenched open, the lock hasp's screws literally ripped from the wall. Detective Barry Grube found it odd that Andrew fixed the severed phone line before police examined it in essence tampering with evidence. (We didnt get into the specifics.). Died along with his mother, Joann, as a victim of his father's jealous ex-girlfriend, Patricia Rorrer. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. Culture Editor Tony Sokol cut his teeth on the wire services and also wrote and produced New York CitysVampyr Theatreand the rock operaAssassiNation: We Killed JFK. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. We work hard to help with things that can not be accomplished in prison. Or identify other people in their lives who might have benefited from either the Katrinak's deaths or disappearance? Another former boyfriend said she talked about Andrew frequently and liked to gaze at old photos of him. Patricia Rorrer: Under the Microscope: Patty Rorrer is convicted of the kidnapping and murder of her ex-boyfriend's wife and infant son, but "Wrong Man" investigators discover that the case is not so clear cut. Sounds like prosecutors made the right call based on this. An infant was lying face down on her stomach. Keith Morrison investigates the horrific murders of Joann Katrinak and her infant son Alex, and the ongoing claims that Patricia Rorrer, the woman who has already served 19 years in prison for the murders, was wrongfully convicted. Patricia Rorrer was a cold woman. The woman (who owned the salon) stated that they were closed that day and that she and her husband were out of town celebrating his birthday. I'm not sure to what extent it was brought up in the original trial. Green-Eyed Monsters: Directed by Kate Ryerson. I knew when Joann was pregnant and although surprised because Andy had once told me he didn't want children and wasn't sure he could have children, I was again happy for him. Decades-old Lehigh Valley murder case back in national spotlight, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Really? Where is Patricia Rorrer Now? - The Cinemaholic After her arraignment, she had to walk past a crowd of dozens of locals screeching hang her! and baby killer! Patricia clung to a Polaroid picture showing her and her own little girl. During Patricias hours-long turn in the witness chair, Michael McIntyre grilled her relentlessly. Lehigh Valley: Patricia Rorrer Still A Convenient Suspect? Use quotation marks to search as a He wanted to move to Colorado and she was against it.. If Rorrer used to live in the area, then I expect any place in the county was probably within a couple of miles of someplace she used to have access to. Image Title Airdate Season Episode Series Episode "Sleeping with the Enemy" August 7, 2015: 1: 120 Texan Darlene Gentry is a self-centered former beauty queen who enjoys the party girl lifestyle and whose marriage to husband Keith is collapsing under the debt she has incurred. Advocates for her innocence complain of hype surrounding the case. In 2015, the type of hair DNA science used was finally admitted to be junk by the FBI and incorrect in 96% of cases. The farmer's remote field bordered an isolated horseback riding trail. The defense called into question both the motive and the shaky DNA hair evidence at the time. Or was it? And James Pfeiffer and Jim Burke have remained on her side. It was a pretty big deal, and i was excited enough to call everyone I knew. One of Patricia's alibis was that she was at a bar on the night of the abduction. In March of 1998, a jury returned two guilty verdicts against Patricia Rorrer for murder, and two more for kidnapping. Until WCJN has thought that the hair was planted but the FBI has just released a report detailing unscientific and fraudulent analysis of hair samples in criminal cases. Murder victim. I think you might have mistaken what's being mentioned in the Washington Post article; that is talking about microscopic hair analysis, which is when they compare two strands of hair for a match. As is the alibi (signing into a dance class), one regular at the dance club said the sign-in sheet was not regularly used by many patrons. for the sole purpose of building a stronger case against Andy, their main suspect at the time. "Our position is that Patricia Rorrer's sample hairs were switched with crime scene hair, the hair taken from the seat back of Katrinak's vehicle," Neely said. This proves that whatever hair root was DNA tested and matched to me could not have been one of the hairs taken from Joann's car. Probable cause of death: exposure. The killer was Patricia Rorrer, the jealous ex-girlfriend of Joann's husband, Andrew. I'm sure that I'm missing a lot of details here (please add in the comments) but everything seems far too convenient and circumstantial. Appeal from the PCRA Order May 26, 2016. The prosecution asked for the death penalty, but the jury chose to sentence me to life in prison without parole which, actually, is just a slower death sentence. For example, the weight of each organ was listed, it was clear they were not very decomposed. Innocent nonprofit Wrongful Conviction. She was also accused of breaking into barns, stealing horses, and underfeeding the ones she owned. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Prosecutor hiding something? FBI didn't follow up on Patricia's alibi for months (6 months?) They initially thought Joann's husband Andy may have committed this crime, so they didn't check into Patricia's story of being in a dance class during the time of the kidnapping. Microsoft Apps I also communicated with Patricia via email to get her input on some matters. We all need justice! The team on Wrong Man tracked down the history of this gun and found that the police did so as well. I was like OK, maybe she was tired, you know with a new baby. When their bodies were found four months later, police sought the clues to find their killer. Patricia L. Rorrer was taken into custody from the Linwood home she shared with her boyfriend and 1-year-old daughter on June 24, 1997. Most convictions were procured through microscopic hair comparison which has been debunked as junk science today. Artificial intelligence and machine learning education and literacy: teacher training for primary and secondary education teachers; Chapter 2. MEMORANDUM BY BOWES, J.: FILED OCTOBER 26, 2017 Patricia Lynne Rorrer appeals the PCRA court's dismissal of her . The couple moved into Andrews sturdy brick house at 740 Front Street in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Patricia Rorrer has been portrayed as a bully, petty thief, neglectful horse owner, and heartless killer or a sweet, caring friend railroaded by authorities desperate to solve a double-murder case that snagged worldwide interest. Sir I would not kill somebody and I definitely wouldnt kill somebody I never met, Rorrer said. Phil and Rell will be released on Monday, as well as Leroy Cotton and Jimmy Jackson. At 10:30 p.m., Andrew reported his wife missing. Submissions should outline a mystery and provide a link to a more detailed review of the case such as a Wiki article or news report. Um why is that? But based on his body/head size and the lack of decomposition of the bodies, it seems likely they had been alive for quite some time after being kidnapped. And yikes, he discovered someone had cut one of the houses phone lines and pried the hinge on the basement door. More: https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/convenient-suspect-a-wrongful-conviction-in-the-murder-in-lehigh-valley. She claimed that shed spent that fateful day at a tanning salon and a country music club, but suspicion mounted when the guest book for the latter didnt have her name and a photo shed taken 11 days prior showed her naturally brown hair dyed blonde. The police considered the possibility that Joann ran away, a theory disputed by her family. In April 1995, the family buried Joann and Alex in a single bronze casket after a funeral mass at a Bethlehem church. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Witness also recalled Rorrer's mom trying to hide a gun. Patricia Rorrer Age: 51 Sex: FEMALE The judge didn't make a decision on the findings on Tuesday. The state of the bodies suggested the victims had likely been killed the day very they were abducted. - On December 15, 1994, Joann Katrinak and her three-month-old son Alex disappeared without a trace from their home in Catasauqua, Pa. Patricia Rorrer, the ex-girlfriend of Katrinak's husband, was . A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. Wake up people this could be you! And the kidnapping scenario became more plausible when you factor in the privacy of the alleyway behind the Katrinak house. Keith Morrison investigates the horrific 1994 murders of Joann Katrinak and her infant son Alex, the tangled relationships surrounding the crime, and the ongoing claims that Patricia Rorrer was wrongfully convicted. Aside from the hair, there was almost zero forensic evidence. This is crazy. Another case is Patricia Rorrer, who has been in prison since 1998, convicted of the murder of a young mother and her 16-week old son in Pennsylvania. Joann Katrinaks Killer Still Has Innocence Advocates(A Woman Scorned, Forensic Files). further reading: True Detective Season 3 and the West Memphis Three. Ex-boyfriend Walter Blalock said that Patricia wanted him to be more like Andrew. 6-10. Where does one pick up flower petal in the dead of winter in PA.? Patricia Rorrer's Story. Suzanne Pearson fabricated quotes from Patricia including her claim that Patricia said, Im going to the electric chair upon her arrest because a conviction would boost Pearsons career. Patricia knew her gun tended to jam, but she used it anyway. Free Patricia Rorrer - Facebook On December 7, 1994 I called Andy to let him know that me and my team had won the National Championship at a team penning competition in Oklahoma. Tapps lawyer saidWrong Mans in-depth investigation into the Tapp conviction helped free an innocent man.. For more on the Katrinak murder case, you can watch Autopsy Six: A Fatal Attraction for free on YouTube. A second helping of justice will be served. Forensic Files (season 5) - Wikipedia Congratulations to all four of you, especially Rell and Phill, who are both co-founding members of R2R and CADBI. She was a real estate agent, a salesperson, and an equestrian, but she also had a rap sheet that included a 12-month probation sentence for shoplifting from a North Carolina Walmart. Some who still believe in Patricia Rorrer's innocence say it was long enough for him to stage the scene. Right now she has no attorney and your generous donation will fund our mission. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. To my knowledge these items have never been DNA tested but the prosecutor stipulated that the hair in Joann's hand does not belong to me, and Dr. Tom Jensen, the PSP forensic scientist noted that the fingernail is to large to belong to me.. Who does this evidence belong to? (McIntyre said that Egan ignored Traupman because he was a nut who said that the man he saw arguing with the woman in a car was Hispanic but wearing a fake mustache and a toupee. Conflicting versions. Meticulous primping. Pulled hairs don't grow roots. Smith claims that she is innocent and that she loved the victim like a daughter., The second is Patricia Rorrer, who has been in prison since 1998 after being convicted of the horrific murder of a young mother, Joann Katrinak, and her 15-week old son in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Murder victim. FILED DECEMBER 13, 2013 Patricia Lynne Rorrer appeals from the order entered in the . She claimed to have been home during this period how did her defense team justify such a departure from Patricia's norm? 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