Case against Erin Patterson is ‘overwhelming’ and mushroom killer’s appeal should be dismissed, prosecutors say

Victorian court hears that Erin Patterson's grounds for appeal should all fail, while her defense argues for a harsher sentence. Patterson, 51, was convicted of seven murders and one attempted murder and is serving a life sentence with a 33-year non-parole period. Crown prosecutor Brendan Kissane KC contends that Patterson's 33-year non-parole period is too lenient, given her likely remaining lifespan.

The DPP is seeking a resentencing without the non-parole period or a longer non-parole period. Patterson's defense lawyer Richard Edney maintains that her confinement in solitary confinement is unjust, and that the judge carefully balanced the severity of her crimes with her conditions of imprisonment. Patterson's appeal grounds include irregular jury sequestration, exclusion of certain evidence, and unfair treatment during cross-examination.

However, the prosecution argues that these grounds lack substance and were not raised by Patterson's lawyers during the original trial.