MELBOURNE, Australia: The Erin Patterson appeal heard prosecutors argue that the convicted mushroom murderer should never be released, calling her 33-year non-parole period inadequate.
Patterson, 51, received a life sentence after murdering three relatives and attempting to kill a fourth at her Victoria home in 2023.
Prosecutors said she deliberately served a beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms to her lunch guests. Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Heather Wilkinson, 66, died after the meal. Ian Wilkinson survived.
Crown prosecutors described the crimes as involving a serious betrayal of trust and months of planning. They also said Patterson maintained false accounts while her victims were critically ill.
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At her original sentencing, Justice Christopher Beale allowed parole eligibility after 33 years. He cited the prospect of prolonged harsh prison conditions.
Prosecutor Brendan Kissane argued those conditions had been overstated and could improve over time. Patterson’s lawyers opposed the sentence appeal.
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They also asked the court to overturn her convictions, citing a jury accommodation mix-up and evidence they said was too speculative.
The Court of Appeal reserved its decisions on both challenges. The rulings could take weeks or months.
