Victoria Court of Appeal to decide fate of convicted mushroom killer Erin Patterson
The Court of Appeal will announce today whether Erin Patterson's convictions and 33-year non-parole sentence will be upheld or altered, while prosecutors seek a life-without-parole term.
Victoria's Court of Appeal is set to deliver its decision on Erin Patterson's appeal against convictions for three murders and an attempted murder linked to a July 2023 lunch that was allegedly laced with poisonous mushrooms. Patterson, 51, was sentenced in 2025 to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years, making her eligible for parole in 2056.
Prosecutors are seeking to increase the sentence to life without parole, arguing that the current non-parole period is insufficient. They contend that the penalty should reflect the severity of the crimes, which resulted in the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted killing of Pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived after weeks in hospital.
Patterson's defence team argues that procedural issues compromised her right to silence, citing the trial judge's refusal to admit a photograph of mushrooms from a 2020 SD card as evidence. They also raised concerns about the jury being sequestered in the same hotel as the lead investigator and members of the prosecution.
If the appeal succeeds, the court could order a retrial or potentially acquit Patterson. She is not expected to attend the hearing in person. The three-judge panel will announce its verdict later today.