Prosecutors in Australia have initiated an appeal against the sentence given to Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted of murdering three relatives using toxic mushrooms. Patterson, aged 51, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 33 years, leading to her potential eligibility for parole at the age of 84.
The Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) confirmed the appeal had been filed, stating that the sentence was “manifestly inadequate.” Patterson’s sentence is one of the longest ever given to a female offender in Australia. The appeal process involves showing the Victorian appeal court that legal errors occurred during her initial trial.
Patterson’s legal team is also considering an appeal against her conviction, although this has not yet been formally submitted. The intense media coverage surrounding her case has drawn significant public interest, with numerous journalists and content creators attending the proceedings in the small town of Morwell.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Patterson served meals containing death cap mushrooms to her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived the incident after spending weeks in the hospital, while Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon, did not attend the meal due to health concerns and prior suspicion that his wife had been trying to poison him.
Judge Christopher Beale, during sentencing, acknowledged the severity of Patterson’s actions but noted the difficult prison conditions she faced, including extended periods in solitary confinement. He indicated that her notoriety could pose risks during incarceration, as she is currently held in a maximum-security facility and spends significant time isolated from other inmates.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07vlzn587lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss