Erin Patterson: Mushroom killer to learn fate in historic sentencing televised from Victoria’s Supreme Court
The fate of triple murderer Erin Patterson will be revealed more than two years after she served a death cap mushroom-laced lunch that killed three people and drew international attention.
The 50-year-old is expected to be sentenced to life behind bars on Monday after she was found guilty of the murders of three of her guests.
Patterson’s lawyers have urged Justice Christopher Beale to show her mercy and give her a chance to be released back into the community.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.But the prosecution is pushing for a jail sentence of life without parole.
A Victorian Supreme Court jury found Patterson deliberately served beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms to her four lunch guests in July 2023.
Her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died after consuming the meal, while Heather’s husband Ian survived.
Patterson claimed it was all a terrible accident, but a jury on July 7 found her guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
At a pre-sentencing hearing in August, sole survivor Ian Wilkinson offered his forgiveness to Patterson for trying to kill him but said he would seek justice for those who died.
He described his pain at losing his wife, saying he carried a heavy burden of grief.
Patterson’s ex-husband, Simon, also provided a statement, telling the court his life was full of melancholy and his children had been robbed of their grandparents.
Her barrister Colin Mandy SC conceded the maximum sentence of life in prison should be handed to his client.
But he urged Justice Beale to give Patterson a chance at parole, citing her difficult and isolated conditions in custody.
Crown prosecutor Jane Warren argued Patterson’s crime was so cruel and horrific she did not deserve mercy and should be sentenced to life without parole.
Patterson will be taken in person to the Victorian Supreme Court for the hearing on Monday at 9.30am.
Justice Beale’s judgment is expected to be broadcast live.
