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. Really? Book her. 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. Dial-a-problem. Apr 5, 2016. ", "I think she gave us something like four or five alibis as to where she was at. The main one of course was committing murder of a young woman and her infant son over an argument. A Lehigh County jury spared convicted double murderer Patricia Rorrer's life Monday after hearing impassioned pleas for mercy from her lawyer and family, and being assured there is no parole from . She was always looking for a fight, Gary Gabard told the Morning Call, which noted that he was a head shorter than Patricia.
Wrong Man season 2, episode 4 recap: Under the Microscope - Show Snob This was further disproved when her bank reported there'd been no activity on Joann's credit cards since her disappearance. Nailed? Regarding the gun, she claims to have said that she didn't have a gun at that time, not that she never had one. 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). Conflicting versions. It's as if she had left with young Alex as planned but then somehow simply vanished.
SearchWorks catalog 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. 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. I would really recommend watching the Wrong Man 2-part episode. We need to know who killed them! "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. . Born on January 24, 1964, in eastern Pennsylvania, Patricia Rorrer spent most of her life going back and forth between the Keystone State and North Carolina.
He will never be able to speak if this case! They theorized might've simply started a new life with another man, but this seemed absurd to everyone who knew Joann. One she was at a private club. Both sides agree Joann hung up on Patricia. We work hard to help with things that can not be accomplished in prison. Joann had been shot in the face and badly beaten. Her alibi about going to the club, called Cowboys Nitelife, got fuzzy when investigators discovered she hadnt signed the guest book on that day. 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. '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. Share Memories & Support the Family. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. They released a list of cases affected by it. 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. Joe Kennedys talks to Michael Brinkle, Patricia Rorrer's former neighbor who reaffirms that he had sold her a .22 Jennings handgun. Phone calls played a significant role in the case overall. For two decades, Patricia Rorrer has always maintained her innocence. Finally, prosecutors challenged Patricia's alibi. Weak wages. What would a crime show be without them? In 1995 DNA testing was brand new. 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? The jury found Patricia guilty in just 6 hours in 1998, 4 years after the crime. Learn more about our upcoming events, fundraisers, and more! This is for them also and freeing an innocent woman! Meanwhile, interest in Patricias plight continues on social media. In the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County. Patricias marriage fell apart, and she returned to Pennsylvania, where she fell in love with Andrew Andy Katrinak after meeting him at a restaurant. He said she did own a firearm, with its serial numbers filed off. 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. After all, one of the key pieces of evidence recovered from the crime scene and Joanns vehicle were dyed blonde hair strands.
Breaking News - "Dateline NBC" Correspondent Keith Morrison Explores (180) 2017 13+. 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. With Lynnanne Zager, Joann Katrinak, Alex Katrinak, Patricia Rorrer. Patricia seemed like the girl next door but all of a sudden, something snapped, Katrinak later told Wrong Man investigators. Wouldn't he have tried to call his mother recall it was with her Joann had planned to go Christmas shopping. Rorrer and Andrew broke off their . Regard a similar case where too much detail signaled investigators to look closer at their suspect in Bagging a Killer (s06e25). 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. But investigators conceded they had no solid evidence against Andrew. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. Or identify other people in their lives who might have benefited from either the Katrinak's deaths or disappearance? State law requires that patrons of the bar sign-in when they come to the bar. Patricia defaulted on her mortgage and then returned to North Carolina, where she eventually moved in with a boyfriend named Brian Ward. Select "match all" to require all fields. Sad part is this could be your mother, father, kids, all love ones and friends! And yikes, he discovered someone had cut one of the houses phone lines and pried the hinge on the basement door. The missing items included Joann's purse, car, both her and Alex's winter jackets, and the diaper bag. Patricia also pointed out that when author Tammy Mal started her research and speaking to me, she was not an advocate at all but she reversed and ended up advocating for Patricias innocence. Why was the jury never told that Patricia Rorrer was under surveillance in North Carolina at the time of the crime? Her hair color in the picture matched hairs found at two of the crime scenes. Murder victim. Episode 204 of Starz' Wrong Man winds up its coverage of the Rorrer/Katrinak case, but it leaves us with far more questions than answers. Then 31 years old, she had lived a rocky existence. Patricia is and has been fighting that she is innocent from the very beginning. Read More:Where is Jacqueline Crymble Now? The defense called into question both the motive and the shaky DNA hair evidence at the time. The police considered the possibility that Joann ran away, a theory disputed by her family. On Thursday, December 15, 1994, Joann Katrinak and her three-month-old son, Alex, went missing from their Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, home. Joann Katrinaks Killer Still Has Innocence Advocates(A Woman Scorned, Forensic Files). 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. Rachael Ray Ending After 17 Seasons: Its Time for Me to Move On. And dance instructor William Jarrett couldnt remember whether she attended his dance class at the club the night of Joanns disappearance. (Disclaimer: Im not a big fan of eyewitnesses who come forward years after the fact, but its possible). They DID NOT match the bullets that killed Joann and her son.
Louise Bryant Obituary (1942 - 2022) - Fieldale, VA - Martinsville Bulletin During these 4 years, many in the Lehigh Valley, PA community developed opinions on the case.
Watch Wrong Man Season 2: Stream Full Episodes on STARZ An exterior door to their basement had been wrenched open, the lock hasp's screws literally ripped from the wall. Police couldnt determine whether the baby died of exposure or suffocation. They returned with a guilty verdict and a sentence of two life terms. Police slowly built a case against Patricia. Image credit: Episode screen capture from Forensic Files. . After the premiere episode, Wrong Man will air on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. I really never thought of it again.. Error! 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. There was an error processing your request. In February 2008, Patricia Taylor Allanson, age 70, was arrested and charged with doctor shopping for thousands of pain pills over the past year. Watch Forensic Files: Season 5, Episode 3A Woman Scorned. Tragedy also touched Patricias life. And who'd be heartless enough to kill an infant as well? After the first season, the Supreme Court overturned the murder conviction of Curtis Flowers, who had been tried six times by nearly all-white juries; Christopher Tapp was exonerated from rape and murder charges after serving 20 years of a 30-year sentence; Evaristo Salas will go to into a new trial represented by a pro bono lawyer.
Alex Martin Katrinak (1994-1994) - Find a Grave Memorial But there was only one day in question, so it feels like Patricia might have been overselling her story. When Andrew was told of the location of his young family's remains, he offered investigators a lead. Puny policy. Error! Yet, everything changed when they lost their 3-month-old son to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Joann was shot once, then the gun jammed. Family members found Joanns tan Toyota sitting vacant in the parking lot of McCartys, a nearby bar. Is to get Patricia a fair trial that will prove her innocence, and give justice to Joann and Alex who died a horrific death. Patricia's investigators are petitioning to DNA test the single strain of hair found in Joann's hand.
Starz Renews 'Wrong Man' For Second Season - Deadline I also communicated with Patricia via email to get her input on some matters. 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. Does anyone see motive in this scenario? This is a list of notable female murderers whose name begins with the letter R. More: https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/convenient-suspect-a-wrongful-conviction-in-the-murder-in-lehigh-valley. Exactly one week after Joann and Alex went missing, the FBI interviewed me at my mother's 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. Here was some other evidence mentioned in the Forensic Files episode: A forensic entomologist examined insect activity on the victims. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. He recalls that Patty also had an alibi. Combination locks. Police converged on the scene and soon realized it was not only the remains of Joann Katrinak, but sadly of Alex too. Its definitely getting rougher every day, Andrew told the Morning Call. They moved into her house in Salisbury County, staying together for about two years. Joann and her 4-month-old son, Alex, were abducted from their home in Catasauqua, PA, and murdered in a rural wooded area near Germansville. 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. I'm not sure to what extent it was brought up in the original trial.
Right to Redemption Patricia denied owning a .22 caliber pistol (the type of gun used to kill Joann). 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. 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. She just stayed in touch with everybody, Kathy Barber said in her interview on NBCs Murder in Lehigh Valley: Keith Morrison Reports in 2017. Many of these are circumstantial, so investigators were grateful for their DNA match from the hair. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? The farmer's remote field bordered an isolated horseback riding trail. Rorrer was convicted of killing them four years later. Since 2010, Tammy has been researching the 1994 Katrinak murders in Catasauqua. He was sentenced to death after being convicted of the brutal torture and murder of a young babysitter named Linda Rodgers in 1984 in Santa Ana, California. ACLU says it could take legal action over Saucon Valley School District rescinding approval for After School Satan Club, 'He was a very humble guy': Reading High soccer coach remembers player killed in Route 33 crash, Big rig crashes from I-81 bridge onto street below in Schuylkill, Eat, Sip, Shop: Refresh your ride at new Lehigh County store, selling high-quality car detailing products, Fire broke out in a Lower Macungie apartment building, Champions of Magic's Alex McAleer gives an exciting look at the upcoming live show, Pet of the Month: Nina from Ruff Life Rescue, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor needs volunteers, Allentown Public Library celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday with children's activities, Kindness Project teams up with Flavor Nation to give away free tacos, History's Headlines: The Lehigh Valley's music man, Berks County Parks invites people to their Winter Wellness Walk, Royals host "kids takeover" game where kids get a taste of the sports business, Wilson School students raise $83k to fight childhood cancer, Berks County Intermediate Unit receives $3.18 million in grants for Head Start programs, 'First in the nation' bill to provide free screenings for breast cancer to receive full Pa. Senate vote, Reading Area Water Authority looking for leak on North Heidelberg Township line, Former Penn State Berks soccer player among dead in violent Monroe County crash, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South, Ukraine ally Kallas fights for reelection in Estonia vote, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, 6 Nigerian states drop suit to void presidential vote result, The implications of Walgreens' decision on abortion pills, What the Tech? 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. I most definitely will not personally afford Patricia a platform, Michael said in an email to ForensicFilesNow.com She had her chance to answer my questions and tell her story in court over 20 years ago. She is sitting in Muncey Women's Correctional Facility for over 23 years now for something. Appeal from the PCRA Order May 26, 2016. The Irish-Italian girl had full, fluffy dark hair, olive skin, and a pretty face. They even lived together for about two years before parting ways for good.
Where is Patricia Rorrer Now? - The Cinemaholic I know that if I get a fair trial, I will win and be freed. ", "Everything is outrageous," he said. 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. The same source indicates Patricia Rorrer has repeatedly appealed for a retrial and exoneration, but each request has been denied. The killer was Patricia Rorrer, the jealous ex-girlfriend of Joann's husband, Andrew. 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. Wrong Man says she had normally signed in for her line dancing class but didn't on the day Joann and Alex disappeared. That's absolutely ridiculous, yet that is the only motive ever given for why I supposedly committed this crime. The FBI Files (Family Secrets) mentioned that Patty also lied about being at a tanning salon. There is still an appeal coming up (I believe) but everything else has failed so far to get Patricia another trial. She was bubbly and likable, not disgruntled, according to friend Kathy Barber, who visited her friend in jail. When their bodies were found four months later, police sought the clues to find their killer. 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. Patricia Rorrer Age: 51 Sex: FEMALE 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. Patricia Rorrer's home phone record did not show her call to the Katrinak house three days prior to the kidnapping because she'd already made the trip to Pennsylvania to see Andrew. "When I read that petition for the first time about 30 days ago, I couldn't believe it was written by a lawyer.". The investigation that led to her identification and then turned up enough evidence to arrest and convict Patricia Rorrer was interesting. The only eyewitness to the murder a five-year-old child told police officers that a white man did it, reads the statement. But if Rorrer was a genuine suspect, it's likely investigators would have attempted the mitochondrial DNA match on the hair anyway. Her husband Andrew's mother expected Joann to arrive quickly, since they only lived a few minutes away. Since then, Patricia has appealed her case and fought for exoneration, only to always be denied. Patricia Rorrer has been in prison since 1998, convicted of the horrific murder of a young mother, Joann Katrinak, and her 16-week old son, in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Wow this episode was featured on Forensic Files.
Joann and Alex Katrinak: Still No Justice (Update) By: Robert S. In 1994, Joann Katrinak called her mother-in-law and made plans to go holiday shopping. In 2015, the type of hair DNA science used was finally admitted to be junk by the FBI and incorrect in 96% of cases. Around April 1995, the cold and badly decomposed remains of 26-year-old Joann Katrinak and her 3.5-month-old toddler Alex Katrinak were recovered from the woods in Heidelberg Township, Pennsylvania. The six-episode documentary series examines the cases of three different inmates who are serving life sentences on murder convictions but who claim innocence. Wrong Man investigators interrogated a confidential informant, the main witness against Evaristo Salas, and he recanted his testimony. McIntyre said a conspiracy theory is preposterous and he's surprised Rorrer is making another attempt to get out of prison. However, a former boyfriend stated that she did own a .22 caliber chrome-plated semi-automatic weapon. Find a typo or issue with the details of this case? It'd be plausible to reason some deniability in Patricia's role if there weren't so many indicators of her involvement. I think it would really require comparison with his pediatric medical records to determine if the head circumference is relevant. However, her name was not on the sign-in list. 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. 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. Bio by: Karen Valentine On December 15, 1994, Joann Katrinak and her three-month-old son Alex disappeared without a trace from . (A good point. Pal stays true. (Media sources vary as to whether she actually worked at the stable or just rented a stall there for her own horse.). Over 200 people were convicted using this science ( 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). One of Patricia's alibis was that she was at a bar on the night of the abduction. Of course, Patricia denied this. Tribute Archive Please watch the show Wrong Man which also found new evidence that supports my innocence. 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. Great communicator. 1 talking about this.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I was convicted on microscopic hair comparison and DNA testing that rendered a "match" of 1 in 37,000. A closer examination of the hairs showed traces of dried blood. Um why is that? E 204 Patricia Rorrer: Under the Microscope. Read more of his work here or find him on Twitter @tsokol.
ir.library.oregonstate.edu 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. Very true - I can't remember if the show went through that. I was convicted on microscopic hair comparison and DNA testing that rendered a "match" of 1 in 37,000. The victim in this crime had a hair clutched in her right hand, and three pieces of fingernail found on her body, none of which has ever been tested. 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 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. Patricia Rorrer is found guilty of the abduction and murder of Joann Katrinak and her infant son, Alex. They released a poster of Joann and Alex, noting that the baby had "almond-shaped blue eyes," weighed 18 . Wish me luck! To really understand this case, you need to sit down and read this book called Convenient Suspect written by Tammy Mal. Unseasonably warm weather in late December suggested that the victims were there since they were killed.
Dateline NBC's Keith Morrison Explores Claims of a Wrongful Conviction In 2015, I discovered an FBI report that states the hair used to convict me had "No Roots Attached." 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. Most of all, Patricia said, she would like a rematch with prosecutor Michael McIntyre.
Rorrer v. Nicholas, Civil Action 19-cv-01398-GEKP - Casetext Meanwhile, the case of the missing mother and baby turned into colossal news across the U.S. and internationally. Later, they both worked 12-hour graveyard shifts at a textile factory. TV-14 Information Genre Documentary Released 2022 Run Time 42 min Rated TV-14 Languages Original Audio English . Movies/Documentaries Murder in Lehigh Valley Forensic Files: A Woman Scorned Deadly Women: Green-Eyed Monsters.