NSW:Charges laid over NSW lawyer's death

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2011
NSW:Charges laid over NSW lawyer's death

EDS: Reissuing, reverting to original and correct spelling of Woonona in fifth and last pars



SYDNEY, Dec 21 AAP - A man and a woman have been charged with murdering a young lawyer
in a house fire on the NSW south coast.

The body of Katie Foreman, 31, was discovered upstairs in her Corrimal home after firefighters
were called to the blaze in the early hours of October 27.

Accelerant was found throughout the house, police say.

Detectives allege the inferno was planned, and that money was paid for it to be carried out.

After months of investigating, homes were simultaneously raided in Lake Heights, Woonona
and Whalan about 7am (AEDT) on Wednesday.

A 30-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were arrested at Karangi Road at Whalan.

They have been charged with one count each of murder and damaging property with intention
of endangering life.

The pair were refused bail to appear at Mount Druitt Local Court on Wednesday.

"We're alleging that the two persons that have been arrested in the Illawarra area
paid a sum of money to the two persons in the western Sydney area," Detective Superintendent
Michael Willing, Homicide Squad Commander, told AAP.

He said a previous relationship existed between the two groups, and the pair in the
Illawarra knew Ms Foreman socially and as a legal practitioner.

Police allege that they paid a small amount of money to have the fire started.

"Her death had an impact on the local community, particularly the legal fraternity
because she was well known. I'm shocked. It's a tragic set of circumstances," Supt Willing
said.

Later on Wednesday, detectives charged a third person in relation to the fatal house fire.

A 39-year-old woman arrested at Karrabah Crescent, Lake Heights, was charged with murder
and damaging property with the intention of endangering life.

She was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday afternoon.

A 39-year-old man arrested at Pallier Place, Woonona, is helping police with their inquiries.

AAP tr/tab/mo

KEYWORD: FOREMAN 2ND UPDATE (REISSUING)

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