Erin Patterson appeals mushroom murder convictions
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The gist
Erin Patterson appeals her triple murder convictions over a deadly mushroom lunch.
The appeal could overturn her life sentence or lead to a harsher penalty.
Background
Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth by serving them a beef Wellington lunch laced with death cap mushrooms in 2023. She was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years, one of the longest sentences ever given to a woman in Australia. The case gripped the country due to its bizarre nature and the high-profile trial.
How it unfolded
- 2023Patterson served a beef Wellington lunch to her estranged husband's relatives, resulting in three deaths and one survivor.
- Sep 2025Patterson was convicted of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years.
- Aug 18, 2026Patterson filed an appeal against her convictions, while prosecutors filed a cross-appeal arguing the sentence is 'manifestly inadequate'.
- Aug 19, 2026Victoria's Court of Appeal began a two-day hearing to consider both appeals.
Who’s saying what
- Defense
- Patterson's lawyers argue she didn't get a fair trial due to prejudicial evidence, unfair cross-examination, and compromised jury integrity.
- Prosecution
- Prosecutors argue the 33-year non-parole period is 'manifestly inadequate' for a triple murder and seek a harsher sentence, possibly life without parole.
Still unverified
The specific grounds of appeal include claims that phone data tracking Patterson to mushroom sites and Facebook messages were prejudicial, and that photos of her as a forager were wrongly excluded. These are arguments made by the defense and have not been independently verified.