Daughter Denies Murdering Father, Claims False Allegations

Catherine Baradi, a 37-year-old woman, has firmly rejected allegations that she attacked and murdered her father, Charlie Baradi, in a case that has garnered significant media attention. Speaking outside Burwood Local Court on Wednesday, she described the charges as “false allegations” and “hearsay.” This statement came just before her bail was revoked due to the severity of the accusations against her.

The charges stem from an incident on October 26, 2024, at the family home in Padstow, southwest Sydney. Prosecutors allege that Catherine kicked her father, knocking him to the ground, and subsequently stomped on his head and neck. Following a post-mortem report, the charges were upgraded to murder after Charlie Baradi, aged 65, succumbed to his injuries and had life support turned off in December 2024.

Catherine Baradi claims that she is physically unable to inflict such harm, citing her own injuries, including titanium plates in her spine from a previous accident in 2010. “The medical system killed my dad, not I,” she asserted while maintaining her innocence. She further claimed to possess evidence that supports her claim of being elsewhere during the alleged attack.

As the court session progressed, the atmosphere turned tense. Following a successful detention application by the prosecution, Catherine was seen tearfully handcuffed and escorted from the courtroom. Prosecutor Shelley Charles argued that the serious nature of the murder charge warranted the revocation of her bail.

In her defense, barrister Nicholas Baltinos emphasized Catherine’s compliance with bail conditions over seven previous court appearances, asserting that she had always adhered to legal requirements. He proposed that she could continue to live under strict reporting conditions, including a curfew, to mitigate any perceived risks.

Magistrate Jennifer Price ruled in favor of the prosecution, citing a strong case against Baradi. According to the crown case statement, she had been her father’s full-time carer and breached an apprehended domestic violence order he had previously secured for protection.

The prosecution presented CCTV footage and witness statements that reportedly capture the alleged attack. Ms. Price noted that witnesses indicated Catherine seemed unaware of her father’s call for help, even suggesting that he had fallen instead of being assaulted.

After sustaining a spinal fracture, Charlie Baradi fell again at Liverpool Hospital on October 30, leading to further complications. He was subsequently transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital, where his condition did not improve, resulting in life support being turned off.

As the legal proceedings continue, the defense plans to argue that Catherine’s actions did not directly lead to her father’s death, focusing on causation as a key issue in the case. She has not yet entered a plea to the various charges, including murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and contravening a restraining order. The case is scheduled to return to Burwood Local Court on January 28, 2025.