Mushroom killer Erin Patterson has had her appeal dismissed; she was convicted of murdering three relatives with poisonous mushrooms and remains in prison.
Erin Patterson, 51, has appealed her murder convictions for lacing beef Wellington with death cap mushrooms at a Gippsland lunch in July 2023. A two-day Court of Appeal hearing in Melbourne will decide whether grounds exist for a full appeal; the outcome could quash convictions, order a retrial, or uphold the sentence of life with a 33-year non-parole period.
Patterson has begun appeal against convictions for murdering three relatives and attempting to murder another after a lunch at her rural Leongatha home in July 2023. Prosecutors argue the 33-year non-parole period is manifestly inadequate and should be longer or that parole should be ruled out. The appeals touch on trial conduct, evidence and sentencing, with judges reserving decisions.
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Victoria’s Court of Appeal has dismissed Erin Patterson’s appeal against her murder convictions and ruled she will not be released from prison. The judges said the case involved shocking criminality and that it is inappropriate to set a non-parole period. Patterson’s lawyers argued seven grounds for appeal; the court rejected them. Patterson faces potential High Court review.