Mushroom killer Erin Patterson loses appeal over ‘shocking’ crimes
Appeal rejected, sentence increased
Patterson had asked the court to overturn her convictions on seven grounds, saying that problems had affected the fairness of her trial. The court dismissed her appeal and also reconsidered the minimum term attached to her original life sentence. Justice Stephen McLeish cancelled the 33-year non-parole period. He said the crimes’ seriousness meant parole should not be available, describing the offending as involving “shocking criminality.”
Concerns raised about trial
Among Patterson’s arguments was that a hotel booking mistake put jurors in accommodation shared with prosecutors, a key police witness and journalists. She also challenged the admission of evidence she considered prejudicial.
Rare route for another appeal
Dr Corns said Victoria generally allows an appellant one appeal under the provision Patterson used. He noted that reforms introduced in 2019 created a way to bring a second conviction appeal in very rare circumstances.
Key points
- The court rejected Patterson’s appeal against her murder convictions.
- Her life sentence now carries no possibility of parole.
- She had challenged the trial on seven grounds.
- Ian Wilkinson survived after being hospitalised.