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Erin Patterson appeal: prosecutors seek life without parole
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Erin Patterson appeals her triple murder convictions as prosecutors seek life without parole.
The appeal's outcome decides if she faces no parole or a retrial.
Background
Erin Patterson was convicted in 2025 of murdering three relatives with a death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington and attempting to murder a fourth. She was sentenced to life with a 33-year non-parole period. Now, her appeal against the convictions is being heard alongside a prosecution appeal arguing the sentence is too lenient.
How it unfolded
- 2023Patterson served a beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms to her estranged husband's parents and aunt, killing three and seriously sickening a fourth.
- Jul 2025A jury found Patterson guilty of three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
- Sep 2025Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years.
- Aug 18, 2026Patterson's appeal against her convictions began, with prosecutors separately appealing the sentence as 'manifestly inadequate'.
- Aug 19, 2026The Victorian Court of Appeal heard arguments on the second day, including evidence disputes and the prosecution's push for life without parole.
Who’s saying what
- Defence
- Patterson's lawyers argue the trial was marred by a 'substantial miscarriage of justice', including improper evidence and a 'catastrophic' failure when jurors stayed at the same hotel as prosecutors and a witness.
- Prosecution
- Prosecutors argue the 33-year non-parole period is 'manifestly inadequate' and that Patterson should receive life without parole, citing errors in the sentencing judge's reasoning.
Still unverified
Claims of a 'catastrophic' failure due to jury-prosecutor hotel proximity are disputed; the court has not yet ruled on this ground.