Convicted 'mushroom killer' Erin Patterson receives a life sentence in an Australian prison
In a shocking turn of events, Erin Patterson, a 50-year-old woman, has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives.
The Supreme Court of Victoria handed Patterson three life sentences for murder and a 25-year term for attempted murder. The ruling comes after a highly publicised trial that ran for 11 weeks earlier this year.
In July 2023, Patterson invited her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, Heather Wilkinson, and her husband, Ian, to her home in Leongatha, south-east of Melbourne. The guests were poisoned by feeding them beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms.
Justice Christopher Beale ruled that the killings involved "substantial premeditation." He also stated that Patterson showed no remorse for her actions.
Prosecutors alleged that Patterson had lied to police, staged cover-ups, and fabricated a cancer diagnosis. They suggested that Patterson had previously attempted to poison her estranged husband.
Ian Wilkinson survived after a liver transplant, but the three other guests died within days. The poisoning was motivated by personal conflicts related to Patterson's former marital family.
Patterson maintains her innocence, insisting the mushrooms were added by accident. However, prosecutors claimed that Patterson did not consume the poisoned meal herself, serving her portion on a separate plate.
For the first time, Victoria's Supreme Court allowed cameras inside to broadcast Monday's sentencing live. Patterson's former husband, Simon, was also invited but declined to attend.
Justice Beale suggested that Erin Patterson is likely to remain a "notorious prisoner" for years to come. Patterson must serve a minimum of 33 years before she can be considered for parole. She will be 82 before she is eligible for release.
Patterson now has 28 days to lodge an appeal. The sentencing marks a significant conclusion to a case that has captivated the nation.
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