Erin Patterson loses appeal as court removes parole eligibility
Developing story first seen 6 hours ago
Erin Patterson has lost her appeal against her murder convictions, and Victoria’s Court of Appeal has removed the possibility of parole. The judges said the crimes were so shocking and calculated that setting a non-parole period was inappropriate, meaning Patterson will spend the rest of her life in prison unless a further appeal changes the outcome.
Patterson was convicted of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson with a meal containing death cap mushrooms in 2023. She was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian, who survived after weeks in hospital and has ongoing health problems. The court dismissed all seven grounds of appeal, including challenges concerning a hotel booking error and evidence presented at trial; Patterson has 28 days to seek a further appeal to Australia’s High Court.
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In short
- Patterson’s convictions were upheld on appeal.
- The court removed her 33-year non-parole period.
- She has 28 days to seek a High Court appeal.
How this story developed
- 2 minutes ago Patterson’s appeal was dismissed on all seven grounds, and Victoria’s Court of Appeal removed her 33-year minimum term, ruling that she must serve life without parole unless a further appeal changes the outcome.
- 7 minutes ago Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson with a meal containing death cap mushrooms, and of attempting to murder Heather’s husband Ian, who survived but has ongoing health problems.
Where outlets differ
Centre outlets 1
Only here: court, removes, parole, eligibility
Right-leaning outlets 1
Only here: locked, life, mushroom, monster, jail
Every side used: erin, patterson, loses, appeal
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Explained simply
In Australia, people convicted of serious crimes can appeal, asking a higher court to review whether the trial or conviction involved legal errors. A life sentence may include a minimum period in prison before parole can be considered; without a parole eligibility date, release on parole is not available under that sentence.
The case centres on a meal served by Erin Patterson to relatives in Victoria, which contained toxic mushrooms. Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson died, while Heather’s husband, Ian, survived after a long hospital stay. The outcome matters to Patterson and the surviving family, and shows how appeal courts can review both convictions and sentences.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Mushroom murderer fails to overturn convictions in Australian court challenge”.