Mushroom killer Erin Patterson to learn fate after appeal against triple murder conviction
Mushroom killer Erin Patterson will learn this week if her appeal against her triple murder conviction is successful or if she will spend more time in prison.
Patterson is fighting to quash her sentence and convictions after she was sentenced to a non-parole period of 33 years for serving her lunch guests a death cap mushroom-laced meal in July 2023.
Erin Patterson will learn her fate in the Victorian Court of Appeal on Friday. Marta Pascual Juanola
Three judges of Victoria’s highest court, the Court of Appeal, will hand down the judgment at 10am AEDT.
She was found guilty of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, and attempting to kill Pastor Ian Wilkinson in 2025.
Patterson, 52, then launched an appeal of the verdict.
She is separately attempting to appeal her life sentence.
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If her appeal is successful, a retrial could be ordered.
Patterson may also be acquitted and she could leave court a free woman.
At the same time, Victoria’s top prosecutor, Brendan Kissane KC, is challenging Patterson’s 33-year minimum term that makes her eligible for parole in her 80s.
He argues the judge made a mistake giving Patterson a chance at walking from prison, previously describing her sentence as “manifestly inadequate”.
A court sketch of Patterson from an August appeal hearing. Anita Lester
Kissane is pushing for life without parole.
If the Crown’s appeal is upheld, Patterson will be resentenced.
Patterson is not expected to attend the hearing in-person.
The decision will be live-streamed online via the Supreme Court of Victoria’s website.
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