Erin Patterson appeal live: prosecutors to seek life in prison without parole for triple murderer

Erin Patterson, convicted of triple murder, is appealing her conviction in the Victorian Court of Appeal. Her legal team argues that the trial was marred by a "catastrophic" failure of justice. One ground of appeal concerns the jury's placement in the same hotel as a police informant and solicitors from the Office of Public Prosecutions during deliberations, which the defence claims could have led to improper contact.

The Office of Public Prosecutions, according to ABC News AU, is also appealing Patterson's sentence, seeking a life term without parole. Patterson's appeal hearing is being conducted via video link from Melbourne's Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Her lawyers argue that certain evidence, including photos and videos related to mushrooms found on an SD card in her home, was wrongly ruled inadmissible.

The Court of Appeal will consider whether Patterson's convictions for triple murder and attempted murder should be quashed. The prosecution's appeal for a harsher sentence will also be heard.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Guardian Australia, The Guardian, ABC News AU — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.