Erin Patterson mushroom murder conviction appeal
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
Legal developments in Australian mushroom poisoning murder case
Patterson's barrister, Richard Edney, argued that the appropriate remedy for the hotel situation is an order for a retrial.
The lead detective and two prosecution solicitors stayed at the same hotel as the sequestered jury during deliberations.
The prosecution has argued that Patterson's parole period should be removed.
“I understand that there is a shortage of accommodation in the district, but it is obviously undesirable,”
Mushroom poisoner told at appeal hearing she must stay in prison forever
“Not only did the respondent sit by and watch her victims consume the deadly meal over chit-chat and banter, but the meal ended with a prayer for her, following her lie about having been diagnosed with cancer. ”
Hotel mix-up central to Australian mushroom murder appeal
Patterson has always maintained the mushroom poisoning was an accident.
Patterson is serving a life sentence after killing three of her relatives and trying to kill another by serving them a beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms at her Victoria home in 2023.
Erin Patterson attended a hearing via video link from prison on Wednesday.
Erin Patterson mushroom murder conviction appeal hearing in Australian court
In 2020, Erin Patterson posted a photo of mushrooms in a poisons help Facebook group, claiming her cat had eaten one and become sick, but she did not own a cat.
Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years.
Defence lawyer Veronika Drago argues prosecutors selectively provided cell phone data for analysis.
“Poison's the weapon, the fact that she did take out family members... [she's] white, female, financially stable, you know. And they're all church people.”
Erin Patterson appeals mushroom murder convictions
Drago accused prosecutors of "turning nothing into something" and said the phone evidence only possibly showed where Patterson had been
Don and Gail Patterson were both 70 and Heather Wilkinson was 66
Victoria's Director of Public Prosecutions says the 33-year parole period is "manifestly inadequate"
“doused with impermissible conduct”
Australia mushroom murder appeal centers on hotel mix-up
The killings were carried out by serving a beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms at Patterson's Victoria home in 2023.
Patterson is serving a life sentence for killing three of her relatives and trying to kill another.
Patterson has maintained that the poisoning was an accident.
Mushroom murderer trial appeal hears of hotel mix-up
Patterson's lawyer Veronika Drago said there was no evidence that Patterson had ever accessed or seen the iNaturalist posts.
Patterson's lawyers argued that Facebook messages Patterson sent months before the lunch were irrelevant and should not have been allowed.
Patterson is able to apply for parole after 33 years.
“doused with impermissible conduct”