She was born on Jan. 24, 1964, in eastern Pennsylvania and moved back and forth between there and Davidson County, North Carolina. Even though Joanne was supposed to take her mother-in-law for Christmas shopping, she never showed . Deal refused. Back in 1994, a mother, Joann Katrinak, and her baby disappeared and their bodies were later found in Heidelberg Township. Traupman died in 2016. Patricia seemed like the girl next door but all of a sudden, something snapped, Katrinak later told Wrong Man investigators. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Commonwealth's request for reconsideration (pdf) Download. Shes just extremely happy with Andy, her brother, Michael OConnor, told the media. Media galore. 8GNGn`s/daUnjx OgG^{|;\(l_K -^?g&"!#{ !]uH}tgx=qCB:xN_ bxxx>)MwG@&qG}S,JCWg4f4QU4tFcT*jNjMa/nR>3[i,?R|*Drx|`|Ov 1tsFIed?r?1 (RDFoy$yYIGpc u)O2g(A((g>Igl9H=hE;n&oA?dpXKQ0[_E/OYc[,}gQn-I/02Eis|(:.z\c;.3_|;*S}h ]~+1M Then, they explore who might actually have done t Spider-Man: No Way Home (Extended Version), TV-MA | 6 SEASONS | DRAMA, LITERARY/BOOK BASED, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. Both sides agree Joann hung up on Patricia. Her friends say she was railroaded by the system and they want Ch Patricia Rorrer is serving a life sentence, convicted of driving 500 miles to kill her ex-boyfriend's new wife and his baby. Or did they? All rights reserved. Irelands husband buried it in the yard because he didnt feel comfortable with a firearm inside, she said. Mike McIntyre was the first assistant district attorney in Lehigh County during the case and says he's surprised Rorrer is making another attempt to get out of prison. Those who knew Joann pointed out that she didnt like to drive in reverse and would have never parked that way. Forensic Files didnt mention it, but the hairs were actually brown at the top and the rest dyed blond, according to the show Autopsy Six: A Fatal Attraction. (Silver Spring, Md.) After six hours of deliberations, in March 1998, a jury found Patricia guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of kidnapping. The state made a case fueled by circumstantial evidence and public outrage over the deaths of a modern-day madonna and child. 2023 Warner Bros. Lehigh County Deputies escort accused murderer Patricia Rorrer, as she arrives for the beginning of her trial at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown, on Friday, Feb. 6, 1998. If you know anything about their case, please call or text the "In Pursuit with John Walsh" hotline: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE). Andrew mentioned to police that his former live-in girlfriend Patricia Rorrer once managed a horse stable two miles from the bodies location and would have been familiar with the riding trails close to the murder scene. Patricia Lynne Rorrer made for a good suspect. 3 0 obj A copy of an undated handout photo of Joann Marie Katrinak and 15-week-old Alex Martin Katrinak, both of Catasauqua, Pa. who were found dead in Dec. of 1994. Rorrer and Andrew broke off their relationship in 1990, but they remained in regular contact even as Rorrer moved 800 miles away. Investigators suspect this action triggered Rorrers jealous rage, driving her to kill. Russia missile attack on Ukraine injures 34, damages homes, May Day: Worlds workers rally, France sees pension anger, FDIC recommends raising insured deposit limit for businesses, Biden, top lawmakers to discuss debt limit at WH May 9, What the Tech? Barry Grube, one of the few, if not only, police officers sympathetic to Patricias cause, noted that Andrew didnt seem particularly frantic while authorities searched desperately for his wife and son. During Patricias hours-long turn in the witness chair, Michael McIntyre grilled her relentlessly. Neely said, "One document of, which I have right in front of me here specifically states that the hairs from the seat back that were looked at by the FBI did not have a hair root.". Lehigh Valley: Patricia Rorrer Still A Convenient Suspect? With Chris Anderson, Fatima Silva. You can read the court documents in their entirety here. Andrew described his existence with Joanne and Alex as a little Camelot., Ex-spouse off list. She was sentenced to two life terms in prison without parole. 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. Neely said a hair with a root put Rorrer away, which sparked Neely to question the forensic investigation. ET features interviews with all the key players from the 1998 trial of Rorrer, who is currently behind bars. Sad discovery. Why did the police focus on a young mother from another state, who had never met either victim and had not had a romantic relationship with Andy Katrinak in more than five years? But defense lawyer Robert Pfeiffer said that plenty of evidence supported Patricias innocence. After Joann Katrinak, the wife of Patricia's former flame, turned up dead along . The family of Joseph Smedley, who was found dead in a lake in 2015, still want answers about a mysterious text message and a backpack full of rocks. She just stayed in touch with everybody, Kathy Barber said in her interview on NBCs Murder in Lehigh Valley: Keith Morrison Reports in 2017. 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They also found a photo of Patricia taken 11 days before the homicide. Then 31 years old, she had lived a rocky existence. She made an effort to look perfectly groomed even when she took out the trash, according to her mother, who appeared on Forensic Files. Convenient Suspect: A Wrongful Conviction In The Murder In Lehigh Jennifer and Sarah Hart killed themselves and murdered their six adopted children in 2018 by driving their SUV off a cliff in California. Neely wants another hair to be looked at as well that he says was found in the victim's hand, but does not match the defendant or the victim. 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. Plus: Young boys body found in Nevada freezer; man accused of murdering, and Florida serial killer convicted of three murders. )J?VmVcU4/+xn!U^,lKk*MKKHiT66# After one bullet didnt kill Joann, the gun locked up, so Patricia had to beat her to death, according to the prosecution. Today, Patricia Lynne Rorrer resides in State Correctional Institute at Muncy, a medium and maximum security facility that has the highest rate of cancer of all prisons in Pennsylvania, according to a story from northcentralpa.com. 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. Jessie Morrison is beaten to death, police zero in on Vonda Smith. The Innocence Project has declined to take her case. The person responsible, needs to be punished. Joann answered and told Patricia to leave them alone before forcibly hanging up. The cause of death has not been determined, according to officials. Joann answered and told Rorrer to leave her family alone before hanging up. Tillman disappeared in from New York City when he was only 14 years old. 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. In fifty years, this is the most complicated case Ive ever been involved in, an investigator says of the search for Andrea Knabel. 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. At 10:30 p.m., Andrew reported his wife missing. Where is Patricia Rorrer Now? - The Cinemaholic I was like OK, maybe she was tired, you know with a new baby. . It is one of those completely addictive tales where theres so much that just points in both directions, Morrison tells PEOPLE. A nail that does. The case rocked Pennsylvanias Lehigh Valley and resulted in the conviction of Patricia Rorrer, now 53, the ex-girlfriend of Katrinaks husband. 'Wrong Man" is a six-episode series from acclaimed award-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger (Paradise Lost Trilogy) that examines cases of inmates who have been incarcerated for decades and claim they're innocent.more. A hair that does, Why did they fail to test a piece of flesh adhering to a torn fingernail fragment recovered from Joann's chest? Now retired, he declined ForensicFilesNow.coms invitation to spar directly with Patricia via a podcast. Patricia Rorrer is serving a life sentence, convicted of driving 500 miles to kill her ex-boyfriend's new wife and his baby. Is the wrong person serving a pair of life sentences for the 1994 kidnapping and killing of Pennsylvania mother Joann Katrinak and her 3-month-old son, Alex? 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. She was thus sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole, plus an added 10-20 years for the kidnapping charges, to be served consecutively. The media love the femme fatale., FBI lab blunder. Today, her attorney says not only was his client wrongfully convicted, but she was framed. Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading mystery-and-suspense network on television. Have You Seen Missing Colorado Man Jance Wesly Varela? Keeping a convicted killer in prison on the merits of a case is a good thing, but what about when the courts keep someone incarcerated on completely inaccurate information? Patricia Rorrer - Forensic Files Now The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created an age enhancement of what he may look like at age 23. Advocates for her innocence complain of hype surrounding the case. Since that time, Rorrer has held out hope that Pennsylvanias Superior Court would grant her a hearing to examine the new evidence that has come to light in her case. On December 14, 2020, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied Ms. Rorrer's petition for allowance of appeal, concluding her state appellate proceedings. Rorrer was convicted of murdering Joann Katrinak and her 3 month old son. Peacock Productions, a division of NBC News, is a nonfiction production company that combines the editorial expertise, technical resources, and seasoned talent of NBCUniversal to create series, events, and live specials for global audiences. Following the disappearance of Joann and Alex Katrinak, Joanns husband Andrew told police he believed someone had broken into his house, cut the telephone line and abducted his wife and son. Murder victim Joann Katrinak. No charmed life. Charles Robert, the 3-month-old son she had with Gary Gabard, died of sudden infant death syndrome; Patricia found him blue in his crib. What Happened To High School Senior Erica Fraysure? She had money put aside. Success! For more on the Katrinak murder case, you can watch Autopsy Six: A Fatal Attraction for free on YouTube. Everything from compromised crime scenes and contaminated evidence, to suspects who were never cleared, witness statements that were withheld from the defense, and crucial evidence that was simply dismissed and ignored has cast doubt on Rorrers guilt and led to a number of unanswered questions. DNA testing showed that Rorrer could not be excluded as the source of the hairs. Superior Court states that all 6 seatback hairs AND the cigarette butt were nuclear DNA tested and matched to Rorrer. And Patricia wasnt all edges. t2c2ue\;,&3g^SjZGk? Judges Denial of Commonwealth's Motion (pdf) Download. It all gave jurors a lot to think about but only for six hours. Joann Katrinaks car was later found next door in the parking lot of a local tavern. The series was produced by Joe Berlinger, who made the Paradise Lost documentaries, which garnered actor Johnny Depps attention and ultimately helped free the West Memphis Three. Pfeiffer and Burke claimed that police Sgt. <> Related: Convenient Suspect: A Wrongful Conviction In The Murder In Lehigh Valley? Her friends say she was railroaded by the system and they want Chris and Fatima to join their fight to free her. Smith will face charges for allegedly killing her husband, Antione Smith. Shortly before Joann and Alex disappeared, Patricia called the Katrinak house. Uncover shocking new evidence in Patricia Rorrer's case with a new episode of #WrongMan, now on the STARZ App. Meanwhile, interest in Patricias plight continues on social media. An infant was lying face down on her stomach. The Free Patricia Rorrer page points to a sliver of a fingernail found at the murder site that didnt come from either Patricia or Joann. Until next time, cheers. Michael Workmans son, Fredrick James Workman, disappeared at age 15 and may use the alias "Fred Shields.". ), The Wrong Man investigators Ira Todd and Joe Kennedy have some theories of their own. 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. That's according to Craig Neely, who worked on the case for years as the defense attorney. ", Neely said, "If there were no hair roots when this hair went to the FBI, where did a hair with a hair root come from?". An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. She has been telling the same story for over 20 years, Morrison explains. PATRICIA RORRER, : : Petitioner : v. : CIVIL ACTION NUMBER 19-01398 : WENDY K. NICHOLAS, : : Respondents : MOTION FOR DISCOVERY AND CONSOLIDATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW . %Ll-{Xjd>=ktWeO]g&7y1i8|il_s= 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. Lehigh Valley: Patricia Rorrer Still A Convenient Suspect? As for an epilogue on ex-flame Andrew Katrinak, he has moved to Colorado and kept a low profile since the trial ended. 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. ), And in another bombshell, Joanns good friend Karen Devine said Joann planned to leave Andrew after the holidays. About Investigation Discovery Kidnapped and killed? The case rocked Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley and resulted in the conviction of Patricia Rorrer, now 53, the ex-girlfriend of Katrinak's husband. 'Dateline NBC' Correspondent Keith Morrison Explores Claims of a Produced by NBC News Emmy Award-winning production arm Peacock Productions, the two-part special airs Sunday, March 5 with back-to-back premieres at 8/7c and 9/8c, and features an exclusive phone interview in which Rorrer speaks out from prison for the first time ever. Investigation Discovery on Twitter: "Patricia Rorrer sits in prison for Pal stays true. Stable situation. @!44` ^]5[a$iq`k7jKV&fU-Ru=$^ And dance instructor William Jarrett couldnt remember whether she attended his dance class at the club the night of Joanns disappearance. See production, box office & company info. You might think such a thing couldnt happen, but thats exactly what did happen in the Rorrer case. 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. (In an exclusive clip, Morrison questions the tactics of prosecutor Michael McIntyre.). Angry that Joann hung up on her, she stalked her for three days, then broke into her basement and cut the phone line, put a gun to Joanns head as she was placing Alex in the car, and forced her to drive to the rural area. 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Years later, conviction in Katrinak murder still raises questions Then you listen to the other side, and its like, Wait a minute. This case will live with you for a while after you have seen the story, because it is one that has stuck with me., The show which debuts March 5 at both 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. 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. 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. As for the words exchanged on the call between the two big-haired women, Joann told Andrew that Patricia had used profanity; Patricia said it was the other way around. Patricia was wrongfully convicted and we will show you how! Police slowly built a case against Patricia. The Atlanta Child Murders rocked the nation as Black children from Atlanta disappeared and then turned up dead. A five-year investigation of the case has uncovered compelling new evidence that they did not. Georgia Teen Vanished In South Carolina, Search Continues For North Carolina Girl, 11, Whose Parents Didnt Report Her Missing For Weeks, Where Is Ella Goodie? He gave an audio interview to the Wrong Man investigators when they made a surprise visit to his house, but he declined to appear on camera. The phone wire was located at the opposite end of the basement, which was dark. Why First Republic failed. People envied the Katrinaks rock-solid marriage and picture-perfect life; with the house, the kid, and the two cars in the drive, they seemed to be living the American dream. 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My sister will get her justice, insists the 12-year-old murder victims younger sibling. All of STARZ blockbuster movies, epic originals, and addictive series. Joanns first husband, New Jersey construction worker Michael Jack, who had reportedly abused her during their marriage, also had a solid alibi. PDF In the United States District Court for The Eastern District of Both bodies were found four months later along a rural trail close to where Rorrer used to ride horses. I was able to email with Patricia via the PrisonConnect platform around Christmastime. . And yikes, he discovered someone had cut one of the houses phone lines and pried the hinge on the basement door. On a secret recording, Patricia asked Jarrett to vouch for her attendance or she might go to the electric char. Patricias defenders also say Andrew Katrinak staged the scene at his house by prying the door and cutting the phone line. Thats all for this post. Ever the neutral newsman, Morrison tells PEOPLE he came away from working on the Investigation Discovery special with more questions than answers. What is the Spanish language plot outline for The Ex Files (2022)? After Joann Katrinak, the wife of Patricias former flame, turned up dead along with her infant son, prosecutors suspected Patricia. Still, no good leads materialized. Pick up PEOPLEs special edition True Crime Stories: Cases That Shocked America, on sale now, for the latest on Casey Anthony, JonBent Ramsey and more. Andrew told investigators that the unpleasant phone call between Joann and Patricia happened just three days before his wifes disappearance. Next Up "We Can Now Be At Peace": Victims' Families React To "Grim Sleeper" Lonnie Franklin's Death When Andy Katrinak comes home to find his wife and infant son gone, he summons the police and tells them he believes they have been abducted, and he suspects his ex-girlfriend Patty Rorrer might be involved. How could Patricia Rorrer have been convicted using DNA from a hair root that doesnt exist. DNA from that and a cigarette butt linked Patricia to the offense. Book her. 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. (Disclaimer: Im not a big fan of eyewitnesses who come forward years after the fact, but its possible). He would be alive today if it were not for Patricia Rorrer. The mild-mannered Sarah died in 2019 at the age of 83. <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> A three-year investigation culminated in court on March 6, 1998, with Patricia being convicted on two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping. 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. DNA testing showed that Patricia could not be excluded as the source of the hairs and according to the prosecution that, combined with circumstantial evidence, was enough to convict her. - 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 convicted of the murders and has maintained . Men who murder are conventional, women are sensational, posits the Worldwide Womens Criminal Justice Network. As for Joanns parents, her father died a year after the murder. But did the police arrest the right person? More than 20 years after her conviction, Patricia Rorrer still has advocates working to exonerate her. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. But thats just some of the ammo on Team Patricias battleship. Tammy Mal is a true-crime writer whos written for True Detective Magazine and Absolute Crime Publishing. It was one of the biggest murder cases to rock the Lehigh Valley. Appeals - Patricia Rorrer Superior Court states that Patricia Rorrer and Andy Katrinaks romantic relationship ended in May, 1993 only one year before the murders. Or is Patricia Rorrer still just a convenient suspect? I dont think she was ever scared until we put the cuffs on her.. Mal told Keith Morrison that Patricias dance teacher originally confirmed her alibi that she was in class on the day of the murder, then changed his mind.
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