But her reputation wasnt exactly sleek and shiny. I was so excited that I called everyone, and Joanne picked up the phone and she said Andy is married, and I said I know, then she said we have a baby, and I said yea I know, then she said dont ever call here again. ), And in another bombshell, Joanns good friend Karen Devine said Joann planned to leave Andrew after the holidays. ", "Due to the fact that she sustained one gunshot wound to the face, and then approximately 19 blows to the head led us to believe that the gun probably had jammed. With Chris Anderson, Fatima Silva. Wish me luck! Many of these are circumstantial, so investigators were grateful for their DNA match from the hair. Shes attracted the help of writer Tammy Mal (full name Tammy Malinowski OReilly), author of Convenient Suspect, a book about the case. Unseasonably warm weather in late December suggested that the victims were there since they were killed. He will never be able to speak if this case! Rorrer was tried and convicted in 1994 for the brutal killing of Katrinak and her three-month-old son. Patricia was arrested in North Carolina in June of 1997. I can't recall if the long distance calls were talked about in the show. I didn't see other potential suspects highlighted. The Irish-Italian girl had full, fluffy dark hair, olive skin, and a pretty face. At 6 a.m. on June 24, 1997, police arrested Patricia at her modest house in Linwood, North Carolina, and took her back to Pennsylvania. In North Carolina, she reportedly enjoyed some success as a horse trader, riding instructor, and rodeo competitor. In a million years, she wouldnt do anything to harm that.. . Patricia Rorrer was a cold woman. 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. On Thursday, December 15, 1994, Joann Katrinak and her three-month-old son, Alex, went missing from their Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, home. 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. It's possible he was just a big baby/growing faster than average, but if there's some indication that they were alive for some time after their abduction, then it would seem to be an entirely different kind of crime than was first thought. Joann grabbed her purse, the diaper bag, and their coats against the December chill in Pennsylvania. The missing items included Joann's purse, car, both her and Alex's winter jackets, and the diaper bag. She made an effort to look perfectly groomed even when she took out the trash, according to her mother, who appeared on Forensic Files. They theorized might've simply started a new life with another man, but this seemed absurd to everyone who knew Joann. 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. And the fact that Patricia called Andrew even after he married someone else didnt mean she was still carrying a torch for him, according to one of her friends. DNA testing revealed the blood came from either Joann or her son. 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. Morrison was 16 weeks pregnant when her lifeless body was found beaten beyond recognition and dumped along a remote country road, reads the statement. Most prosecutors wouldn't even take such paltry evidence into court today. I dont even know its Christmas.. 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. He framed this woman who has been in prison 23 years! I wasn't hung up on Andy, and I didn't want him back. 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. And because of the gun jamming, the assailant had to resort to blunt object and beat her about the head. Somebody has to. She was always looking for a fight, Gary Gabard told the Morning Call, which noted that he was a head shorter than Patricia. 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. Hello guys! 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. And Andrews explanation of how the intruder got in through the basement door seemed contrived, according to Grube, who gave an interview to Wrong Man, a 2020 true-crime docuseries from the Starz network, which produced two episodes called The Hang Up about the Rorrer case. So, this pointed to a theory that Joann had either left on her own or encountered foul play within her home. Witness also recalled Rorrer's mom trying to hide a gun. They also found a photo of Patricia taken 11 days before the homicide. Here was some other evidence mentioned in the Forensic Files episode: A forensic entomologist examined insect activity on the victims. But when did he find the evidence of the break-in? DNA from that and a cigarette butt linked Patricia to the offense. In March of 1998, a jury returned two guilty verdicts against Patricia Rorrer for murder, and two more for kidnapping. Success! Episode Info. For example, the weight of each organ was listed, it was clear they were not very decomposed. As usual, Rebecca at Forensic Files Now has a thoroughly researched article about the Patricia Rorrer case and events since her conviction. 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. Pat Rorrer received a sentence of life imprisonment for her crime. Was this on unsolved mysteries too? Moreover, Patricia had been accused of breaking into barns, stealing horses, and underfeeding the ones she cared for charges that never stuck. Wouldn't he have tried to call his mother recall it was with her Joann had planned to go Christmas shopping. (We didnt get into the specifics.). Yet, everything changed when they lost their 3-month-old son to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Patricia Rorrer is serving a life sentence, convicted of driving 500 miles to kill her ex-boyfriend's new wife and his baby. '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. Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve the legal counsel for Patricia. 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. "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. Culture Editor Tony Sokol is a writer, playwright and musician. Police identified the pair as Joann and Alex Katrinak. Rorrer claims the DNA . See Commonwealth v. Rorrer, CP-39- CR-0002176-1997 (C.C.P. My case in a nutshell is this: I was convicted on a DNA match made to the root of a hair found in the victim's car which was located 15 miles from the crime scene. 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. She failed miserably to convince me, or anyone else who mattered, of her innocence. An infant was lying face down on her stomach. Investigation Discovery is profiling the murder of Joann Katrinak and her infant son. The media love the femme fatale., FBI lab blunder. After all, one of the key pieces of evidence recovered from the crime scene and Joanns vehicle were dyed blonde hair strands. She has been incarcerated for 24+ years. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Detectives from the Davidson County sheriff's office took the witness stand to recall the morning of June 24, 1997, when they knocked on the door of Rorrer's Linwood, N.C., home and told her she . . She claimed to be at a dance class in private club but her name was missing from the sign in sheet that night. Prosecutor pounds away. The couple moved into Andrews sturdy brick house at 740 Front Street in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. 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. 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. To really understand this case, you need to sit down and read this book called Convenient Suspect written by Tammy Mal. Later, they both worked 12-hour graveyard shifts at a textile factory. Appeal from the PCRA Order May 26, 2016. I was able to email with Patricia via the PrisonConnect platform around Christmastime. Rorrer is incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution Muncy, a prison for women in Clinton Township, Pennsylvania. In addition to her . 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. Well, that really caught our attention of course.". Based on the activity, the victims were there since at least February. Those who knew Joann pointed out that she didnt like to drive in reverse and would have never parked that way. Wow this episode was featured on Forensic Files. In his dissenting opinion, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas acknowledged the case might not have even been heard by the Supreme Court had it not been for the media that reinvestigated it. 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. 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? "When I read that petition for the first time about 30 days ago, I couldn't believe it was written by a lawyer.". Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. In June of 2016 Patricia Rorrer's petition for a new trial was been thrown out. They were hardly decomposed after a mild winter. I know that if I get a fair trial, I will win and be freed. for the sole purpose of building a stronger case against Andy, their main suspect at the time. Man, this case was soooo shittily handled. During Patricias hours-long turn in the witness chair, Michael McIntyre grilled her relentlessly. (QUIZ), RAW: FILE: CHRIS ROCK IS SET TO MAKE NETFLIX HISTORY, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. (180) 2017 13+. Friends and family began looking for Joann and Alex. 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. But investigators conceded they had no solid evidence against Andrew. Ive seen the forensics files episode a few times and Im shocked at how it could be so wrong! The farmer's remote field bordered an isolated horseback riding trail. Convicted killer Patricia Rorrer is asking for new DNA tests in the 13-year-old murder case of her former boyfriend's wife and child. She was also accused of breaking into barns, stealing horses, and underfeeding the ones she owned. PATRICIA RORRER OBITUARY. Mizgerd said Rorrer is aware the show is airing and is hopeful it may bring new attention to her case. Thank God she decided to investigate these crimes on her own. Today, Rorrer's attorney says not only is his client innocent, but she was framed. Probable cause of death: exposure. Felix (Phil) Rosado and Terrell (Rell) Woolfolk-Carter, WELCOME HOME!!!!! I was like OK, maybe she was tired, you know with a new baby. After one bullet didnt kill Joann, the gun locked up, so Patricia had to beat her to death, according to the prosecution. Rorrer was the ex-girlfriend of Joann's husband . 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. But none of those charges ever stuck. Of course she did--because all that was out there on me was fake news. You couldnt fire a second shot. The state of the bodies suggested the victims had likely been killed the day very they were abducted. It'd be plausible to reason some deniability in Patricia's role if there weren't so many indicators of her involvement. There are claims that the cigarette butt wasnt examined and that the hair strands had no roots (which contain the DNA), suggesting that nothing truly ties Patricia to the homicides. Counsel for Patricia Rorrer, 52, . Patricia and her husband broke up after the babys death. Use quotation marks to search as a One on one? The authorities charged her with two counts of murder. Apr 5, 2016. There is still an appeal coming up (I believe) but everything else has failed so far to get Patricia another trial. Dial-a-problem. She had a suitcase packed, Devine said. 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. When Andrew was told of the location of his young family's remains, he offered investigators a lead. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Patty Rorrer is convicted of the kidnapping and murder of her ex-boyfriends wife and infant son, but Wrong Man investigators discover that the case is not so clear cut. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. Recall Jason Funk's role in Katie Froeschle's murder in Muffled Cries (s11e31) or the trail of evidence left by Earl Bramblett in Private Thoughts (s08e16). Chapter 1. When their bodies were found four months later, police sought the clues to find their killer. Posted: June 22, 2022 They released a poster of Joann and Alex, noting that the baby had almond-shaped blue eyes, weighed 18 pounds, and was circumcised. "I'm hoping this [show] will be very close to the truth," said Sandy Mizgerd. FBI didn't follow up on Patricia's alibi for months (6 months?) Meticulous primping. 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. Tue, Sep 27, 2022 60 mins. The victims vanished on December 15. McItyre said this is hearsay and the officer has refuted everything in an affidavit. The article also notes that most inmates earn around 19 cent an hour at their jobs and must pay $5 each time they need medical attention or medicine. What about Joann's best friend, who told the producer's of Wrong Man that Joann was saving up money and planning to leave Andy right after the holidays? 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. Patricia knew her gun tended to jam, but she used it anyway. State police and the Philadelphia division of the FBI appealed to the public for leads. The jury found Patricia guilty in just 6 hours in 1998, 4 years after the crime. After Tapp served nearly 21 years of his sentence, the real killer was finally found through forensic genealogy, according to Time. However, a former boyfriend stated that she did own a .22 caliber chrome-plated semi-automatic weapon. I am innocent of these crimes, and I should not have lost the best years of my life in a prison cell.
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