Jury Rejects Alibi, Finds Rorrer Guilty In Double Kidnapping-murder Case Woman found guilty in Lehigh Slayings Convicted murderer seeks new DNA tests in '94 murder case. Please walk thru her website and see for yourself how easy it is to be convicted of something you had nothing to do with. A local murder case that made national headlines will be back in the national spotlight Sunday night. The episode made a special point about locating the photograph of Patricia Rorrer with dyed blonde hair. A few eyewitnesses who didnt testify at her initial trial also back her statements of being in North Carolina on that fateful day, but nothing has been proven. Neely said the first officer on the scene didn't believe Rorrer committed the crime. Rorrer and Andrew broke off their . 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. Most convictions were procured through microscopic hair comparison which has been debunked as junk science today. The six-episode documentary series examines the cases of three different inmates who are serving life sentences on murder convictions but who claim innocence. She made an effort to look perfectly groomed even when she took out the trash, according to her mother, who appeared on Forensic Files. She had dropped out of school at the age of 17 to marry her partner and subsequently worked long graveyard shifts at a textile factory to provide for their family. No one is safe if the justice system is broken and they are putting innocent people in prison. 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 . Any ideas why the fact that their bodies didnt appear to have been in the woods as long as previously thought wasnt brought up in court? I didn't see other potential suspects highlighted. . Error! After a successful first season, Starz has announced thatWrong Man season 2 will premiere on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 9:45 p.m. But if that's the main evidence against her, it seems awfully weak. 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. More than 20 years after her conviction, Patricia Rorrer still has advocates working to exonerate her. Image credit: Episode screen capture from Forensic Files. At the trial, prosecutor Michael McIntyre alleged that Patricia remained obsessed with Andrew Katrinak long after their breakup despite testimony that shed had many boyfriends and live-in lovers to occupy her bandwidth. A young mother and her infant son suddenly went missing just before Christmas in 1994. With 400 (and 6) episodes, this progress bar indicates my progress toward finishing all of them. Please watch the show Wrong Man which also found new evidence that supports my innocence. Puny policy. Regarding the gun, she claims to have said that she didn't have a gun at that time, not that she never had one. Here was some other evidence mentioned in the Forensic Files episode: A forensic entomologist examined insect activity on the victims. And because of the gun jamming, the assailant had to resort to blunt object and beat her about the head. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. The missing items included Joann's purse, car, both her and Alex's winter jackets, and the diaper bag. You have permission to edit this article. Two of the seasons three cases will feature female inmates. I watched the show the other night and watched some YouTube videos afterwards and there was interview footage of Joanns sister saying that Alex was a big healthy baby. Therefore, today, in her late 50s, Patricia is imprisoned at the maximum-security State Correctional Institution Muncy in Clinton Township, Pennsylvania. Perhaps police couldn't get a warrant for a sample of Patricia's hair, the color being inconsistent with the latent hairs found in the car and at the murder scene. Our Mission. However, a former boyfriend stated that she did own a .22 caliber chrome-plated semi-automatic weapon. Louise Rorrer Bryant, age 79, of Fieldale, Va., passed away on May 15, 2022. Patricia Rorrer was tried and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of kidnapping in March 1998, in Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas, for the murder of Joanne Katrinak and her infant son. By that time, we had both moved on and I had no romantic feelings for him. Despite the troubling evidence from Joann's car, detectives considered whether or not Joann had taken baby Alex and simply left. Andrew languished for weeks and then months as investigators failed to suppl any explanation for his wife's and son's mysterious disappearance. Is to get Patricia a fair trial that will prove her innocence, and give justice to Joann and Alex who died a horrific death. . At the very least, prosecutors got their story very wrong as they convicted Patricia. Where are the missing 4 hairs? Brad Jackson was able to describe what his daughter Valiree was wearing in incredible detail, down to the color of her socks. Meticulous primping. Learn more about our upcoming events, fundraisers, and more! Patricia demonstrated a habit of making almost daily, long-distance phone calls from her home in North Carolina. And, I was quite angry with the police, that they accused Andy. She was also no stranger to law enforcement because she had a history of violence which included an arrest for getting into a bar brawl with another patron over a guy. It is believed she may have received over 3,700 pills in less than a year. Probable cause of death: exposure. Christopher Tapp, who was convicted of the 1996 sexual assault and murder of an 18-year-old girl in Idaho, was coerced into confessing to the crime after an estimated 150 hours of interrogations. [1] The mitochondria, and thus mitochondrial DNA, are passed exclusively from mother to offspring through the egg cell. 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. Patricia Lynne Rorrer made for a good suspect. Where does one pick up flower petal in the dead of winter in PA.? We need to know who killed them! 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. But her reputation wasnt exactly sleek and shiny. . Patricia Rorrer was wrongfully convicted of Murder. To really understand this case, you need to sit down and read this book called Convenient Suspect written by Tammy Mal. They broke up in 1993. I was like OK, maybe she was tired, you know with a new baby. Culture Editor Tony Sokol is a writer, playwright and musician. Patricia and her husband broke up after the babys death. Rorrer claims the DNA evidence used to send . Berlingers landmark HBO documentary Paradise Lost Trilogy helped lead to the release of the wrongfully convicted West Memphis Three after 18 years of incarceration. Kidnapped and killed? Phone calls played a significant role in the case overall. Later, they both worked 12-hour graveyard shifts at a textile factory. Media galore. Mizgerd said she is convinced Rorrer is innocent. Or was it? . This is crazy. Police treated Joann's car as a potential crime scene, and their investigation turned up several blonde hairs on the head rest. And why was my defense not provided with the "No Roots Attached" report which is exculpatory evidence, at trial.? 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. Her book tells the truth and the real story of this case. She is a true crime writer who believed I was 100% guilty when she decided to write about my case. This was where Joann regularly parked her car and became an even more likely crime scene when the evidence of the basement break-in was discovered. The FBI waiting up to 6 months to question people in the class makes it near impossible for her to prove that she was actually there on a random Thursday night. Yet, everything changed when they lost their 3-month-old son to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Also Rorrer had a history of run-ins with the law, including being charged with breaking and entering. Family members found Joanns tan Toyota sitting vacant in the parking lot of McCartys, a nearby bar. Most prosecutors wouldn't even take such paltry evidence into court today. She claimed to have been home during this period how did her defense team justify such a departure from Patricia's norm? Joann had been shot once and then bludgeoned in the head. Wow this episode was featured on Forensic Files. So lets get going on the recap of the Forensic Files episode A Woman Scorned, along with extra information drawn from internet research: Joann Marie OConnor was born on Oct. 11, 1968, the youngest of Sarah and David OConnors four children. Thank you for reading, please use the links, and watch all the videos. 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The system is broken sending innocent people to prison! Other defense claims and recent updates include: Two separate witnesses claim to have seen an unhappy Joann with a man on the day of her disappearance. Of course, Patricia denied this. Rejection and betrayal are good enough reasons for these women to commit heinous crimes. By the time they asked supposed witnesses, most had forgotten about that random dance class (there were many). Detective Robert Werts stated Rorrer offered four or five alibis for the time of the incident. We take wrongful convictions to heart. Patricia had won a prize at an out-of-state horse-riding competition less than two weeks before the murders, and she allowed herself to be photographed. Prosecutors also claimed DNA hair evidence found in the car matched Patricia's hair at the time (using what was considered valid DNA methods). Patricia was arrested on June 24, 1997. . When Andrew returned from work several hours later, Joann's car wasn't in its normal spot in the alley behind their house, but otherwise everything looked ordinary. Do any of the TV episodes suggest the possibility of their being held alive for some time? Rachael Ray Ending After 17 Seasons: Its Time for Me to Move On. Her defense was essentially that she and Andrew Katrinak had remained friendly, so she wouldn't want to hurt him. Weak wages. I was convicted on microscopic hair comparison and DNA testing that rendered a "match" of 1 in 37,000. Starring Keith Morrison. And she would just call out of the blue., According to the Free Patricia Rorrer page on Facebook:I called him to let him know that I was going to the USA finals for a horse show. "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. Joanne and Alex needs justice to! His favorite rattle, shaped like a phone, lay near the crime scene. "The issues that we are presenting are not speculative at all," Neely said. He recalls that Patty also had an alibi. One of Patricia's alibis was that she was at a bar on the night of the abduction. A hearing on the issue got heated Tuesday. She intends to file a motion for a new trial. Unbloody vehicle. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. That's absolutely ridiculous, yet that is the only motive ever given for why I supposedly committed this crime. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It'd be plausible to reason some deniability in Patricia's role if there weren't so many indicators of her involvement. It showed her usually all-brown hair haphazardly highlighted blond. Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind and a few breaks in the clouds overnight. Mike McIntyre, the first assistant district attorney in Lehigh County during the case, said the petition is "crazy. Better Call Saul Season 6 Episode 7: Finale Release Time and Season Recap, Tiger King Earned 34 Million Viewers in First 10 Days, Shazam! Someone had shot Joann in the face with a .22-caliber pistol, then beaten her about the head hitting her 19 times in all with a blunt object. The organization purports that if there were awards for distorted reporting, the Morning Callwould win high honors.. She was born on July 27, 1942, in Henry County, Va., to Edward Rorrer and Susie Morrison Rorrer. Andrew told investigators that the unpleasant phone call between Joann and Patricia happened just three days before his wifes disappearance. During these 4 years, many in the Lehigh Valley, PA community developed opinions on the case. The same source indicates Patricia Rorrer has repeatedly appealed for a retrial and exoneration, but each request has been denied. Joe Berlingers documentary series Wrong Man shows what long form documentary journalism can achieve. On Thursday, December 15, 1994, Joann Katrinak and her three-month-old son, Alex, went missing from their Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, home. And in a piece of salacious testimony, Patricia Rorrers half sister, Sandra Ireland, said that in May 1995, about six months after the murder, their mother, Patricia Chambers, stopped by the house and asked her to hold onto or hide a gun, or both. Patricia Rorrer (PA) SCI Muncy OE2170 Life Without Parole DOB: January 24,1964. But thats just some of the ammo on Team Patricias battleship. She was also accused of breaking into barns, stealing horses, and underfeeding the ones she owned. And Patricia wasnt all edges. In 2015, the type of hair DNA science used was finally admitted to be junk by the FBI and incorrect in 96% of cases. Chapter 1. His film Whitey: United States of America V. James J. Bulgeruncovered law enforcement corruption at the highest levels. RR, Watch the Forensic Files episode on YouTube, Murder in Lehigh Valley: Keith Morrison Reports, The Lindbergh Kidnapping: Forensic Files Lost Episode, Dawn Fehring: A Missionary Dies Too Young, Joanne Chambers and Paula Nawrocki: Strange Lesson. He said she did own a firearm, with its serial numbers filed off. We affirm. I am innocent of these crimes, and I should not have lost the best years of my life in a prison cell. In the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County. We all need justice! !) and detractors (This is another bs attempt to free a psycho). Episode Info. Rorrer was the ex-girlfriend of Joann's husband . One detail the cops noted was how many times Joann was beaten, something like 20 times, the husband was a boxer so it's doubtful he'd need that many. Hair we go. No comments yet - start the conversation above. Patricia, who moved from PA to North Carolina, made long distance calls from her home practically every day, except for the time period between December 11 and 16. Congratulations to all four of you, especially Rell and Phill, who are both co-founding members of R2R and CADBI. Mizgerd said she acts as Patricia Rorrer's spiritual advisor and often visits her in prison. The phone wire was located at the opposite end of the basement, which was dark. Season 1 had a tangible impact on all three cases that were examined. Another former boyfriend said she talked about Andrew frequently and liked to gaze at old photos of him. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? Traupman died in 2016. I wonder if any of Alex's pediatrician records still exist after all this time. In TV clips, Andrew didnt come off as anguished. I am humbly asking for your help to hire a lawyer and procure a fair trial. He said that the gun had an unusual characteristic: the gun would jam after firing one shot. Here is the link 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. Then, despite her multiple alibis, she has an inexplicable five-day gap in this pattern. In April 1995, the family buried Joann and Alex in a single bronze casket after a funeral mass at a Bethlehem church. 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. ", "Everything is outrageous," he said. As a result, Salas, who did not have legal representation at the time of filming, was offered pro bono representation by a Washington State attorney, who believes in his innocence. You have permission to edit this article. Therefore, when Andrew revealed that his ex once worked in a barn near the site of his wife and sons bodies, she became a suspect. Theyd been missing for four months, but their discovery only gave rise to more questions than answers, especially as the young mother had been shot once in the face before being struck on the head 19 times. This is the hard part. "I'm very angry, very very very angry," McIntyre said. Her mother, Patricia Chambers, provided day care for their baby son, Charles. 3126 EDA 2012 Appeal from the PCRA Order October 11, 2012 In the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-39-CR-0002176-1997 BEFORE: BOWES, J., LAZARUS, J., and WECHT, J. TV-MA | Mar 1, 2020 | 53m. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? I know that if I get a fair trial, I will win and be freed. She seemed like quite an unlikely suspect at least at first. It was a pretty big deal, and i was excited enough to call everyone I knew. MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J. Most convictions were procured through microscopic hair comparison which has been debunked as junk science today. She claimed to be at a dance class in private club but her name was missing from the sign in sheet that night. On a secret recording, Patricia asked Jarrett to vouch for her attendance or she might go to the electric char. Fury of the Gods Brings Back the "Shazamily": Inside DC's New Superhero Adventure, Scream 6's Brutal NYC Trip: "You Can't Trust Anyone" This Time, Cocaine Bear Is Not Just About a Killer "Coked-Up" Bear, It's Also an "Underdog Story", How Marvel's Wastelanders Podcast Created an Exciting Story with No Visual Safety Net, Wrong Man Season 2 Release Date Confirmed (Exclusive). Finally, prosecutors challenged Patricia's alibi. However, her name was not on the sign-in list. Pfeiffer and Burke claimed that police Sgt. 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 wouldnt do anything to hurt him. . 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. As for Joanns parents, her father died a year after the murder. Watch Forensic Files: Season 5, Episode 3A Woman Scorned. An early childhood introd I know I did not commit these murders and they need to get justice for Joann and Alex too. The police report misspells his name (Troutman) and doesnt include his address, suggesting authorities didnt want anyone to track him down, according to Patricias side. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. The Ex Files: Directed by Rob Rosen. But there was only one day in question, so it feels like Patricia might have been overselling her story. Patricia Taylor Allanson, the Deadly Magnolia, was released from prison in 1999. Most of all, Patricia said, she would like a rematch with prosecutor Michael McIntyre. 1919 EDA 2016 Appeal from the PCRA Order May 26, 2016 In the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Criminal Division at No(s): CP-39-CR-0002176-1997 BEFORE: BENDER, P.J.E., BOWES AND SHOGAN, J. The premiere episode will air following the series finale of Power. On Thursday, December 15, 1994, Joann Katrinak and her three-month-old son, Alex, went missing from their Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, home. At 10:30 p.m., Andrew reported his wife missing. Patricia Rorrer is found guilty of the abduction and murder of Joann Katrinak and her infant son, Alex. Mitochondrial DNA is the small circular chromosome found inside mitochondria. Joanns first husband, New Jersey construction worker Michael Jack, who had reportedly abused her during their marriage, also had a solid alibi. Wake up people this could be you! Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. These hairs being found in the otherwise cleaned car was also odd. After one bullet didnt kill Joann, the gun locked up, so Patricia had to beat her to death, according to the prosecution. 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. Andrew had an ex-girlfriend, Patricia Rorrer, who'd been familiar with the trail, and she'd previously managed a horse stable just a mile from the scene. Please take the time to read my story. They had a son, Alex Martin, in August of 1994. A photo at the time showed that Patricia had dyed her hair blonde, which matched the hair found. 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. Select "match all" to require all fields. He will never be able to speak if this case! How would an intruder find it? Documentary Sep 20, 2022 42 min iTunes. Two-Part Special Premieres Sunday, March 5 at 8/7c; Features Exclusive First-Ever Interview with Inmate Patricia Rorrer (Silver Spring, Md.) Cop defends accused. She was the devoted wife of the late Alvin Haymon Rorrer. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 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. Patricia had of course not registered that night. Our team of volunteers are committed to helping Patricia. All of us could be wrongfully convicted. No charmed life. They were hardly decomposed after a mild winter. Tribute Archive According to the LA Times, the United States Supreme Court struck down the conviction of death row inmate Curtis Flowers, who was prosecuted six times for the same crime of quadruple murder, and by the same prosecutor, in a case riddled with evidentiary problems and allegations of racial bias, according to the press statement. They returned with a guilty verdict and a sentence of two life terms. Illustration of the location of mitochondrial DNA in human cells. In North Carolina, she reportedly enjoyed some success as a horse trader, riding instructor, and rodeo competitor. Strands of the accuseds dyed-blond hair at two crime scenes proved it. Prosecutors at the time used this angry phone call as motive for Patricia to travel 500 miles to the Katrinak house, cut a phone line, break into the basement door, put them into Joann's car and march Joann and Alex to their eventual death - killing them in a field. Her newest book, Convenient Suspect, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2017 and recounts the murders of Joann and Alex Katrinak and the potential wrongful conviction of Patricia Rorrer. Once, when a gun-wielding farmer and his buddy caught Patricia and Gary riding motorcycles on his field, Patricia walked up and got in their faces and argued, Gary recalled to the Morning Call. Tragedy also touched Patricias life. Rorrer is incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution Muncy, a prison for women in Clinton Township, Pennsylvania.