started · updated
Erin Patterson appeals triple-murder convictions in Australia
Erin Patterson, convicted of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth with a death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington in 2023, has begun her appeal in the Victorian Court of Appeal. Patterson, who is currently serving a life sentence with a 33-year non-parole period, is seeking to overturn her convictions on several grounds.
Her legal team argues that a substantial miscarriage of justice occurred during the trial. Key arguments include the improper sequestration of the jury, who allegedly stayed in the same hotel as prosecution members and police witnesses, and the use of allegedly unfair or prejudicial evidence, such as Facebook messages and cell tower data. They also contend that Patterson faced unfair and oppressive cross-examination.
Simultaneously, the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions is appealing Patterson's sentence, arguing that the 33-year non-parole period is “manifestly inadequate” and seeking a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Entities
Dame Phyllis Frost Centre · Director of Public Prosecutions · Director of Public Prosecutions Victoria · Don Patterson · Erin Patterson · Gail Patterson · Heather Wilkinson · Ian Wilkinson · Leongatha · Supreme Court of Victoria · Victoria Court of Appeal · Victoria Supreme Court
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Photos and videos of mushrooms found on an SD card at Patterson's home should have been ruled inadmissible. www.europesays.com · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The victims were poisoned by death cap mushrooms served in a beef Wellington meal in July 2023. thecrystaleyes.com · srnnews.com · english.mathrubhumi.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The prosecution is appealing the sentence, arguing the 33-year non-parole period is manifestly inadequate. thecrystaleyes.com · mymotherlode.com · globalnews.ca · theqldr.com.au · www.world-today-news.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The jury was improperly sequestered in the same hotel as a police witness and members of the prosecution team. mymotherlode.com · theqldr.com.au · wtop.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The cross-examination of Patterson by the prosecutor was unfair and oppressive. mymotherlode.com · wtop.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Erin Patterson was convicted of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. thecrystaleyes.com · mymotherlode.com · wtop.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Erin Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 33-year non-parole period. thecrystaleyes.com · srnnews.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · globalnews.ca
- [● 5 SOURCES] The defense argues that Erin Patterson suffered a substantial miscarriage of justice during her trial. www.europesays.com · mymotherlode.com · theqldr.com.au · www.world-today-news.com · wtop.com