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Erin Patterson begins appeal against mushroom murder convictions
Erin Patterson, the Australian woman convicted of murdering three relatives using poisonous death cap mushrooms, will appear before the Victorian Court of Appeal this week. The 51-year-old is seeking to overturn her convictions for the murders of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson. She was also convicted of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, who survived the meal.
Patterson, who maintains her innocence, argues that her trial was unfair, citing issues such as the improper inclusion of certain evidence and irregularities regarding jury sequestration. The two-day hearing in Melbourne will determine if her application for leave to appeal is granted. If successful, the court may order a retrial or acquit her.
Simultaneously, the prosecution is appealing her sentence. Patterson is currently serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 33 years. Prosecutors are seeking a harsher penalty, arguing she should remain imprisoned for the rest of her life.
Entities
Don Patterson · Erin Patterson · Gail Patterson · Heather Wilkinson · Ian Wilkinson · Melbourne · Supreme Court of Victoria
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The victims included the 70-year-old parents of Patterson's husband-to-be and a 66-year-old sister-in-law. e-thessalia.gr · www.rthess.gr · pelop.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. e-thessalia.gr · www.rthess.gr · pelop.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Erin Patterson was convicted of three murders and one attempted murder. e-thessalia.gr · www.rthess.gr · pelop.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Patterson argues the trial was unfair because jurors and investigators stayed at the same hotel. e-thessalia.gr · www.rthess.gr · pelop.gr