Mushroom killer must stay in jail forever for 'truly dreadful' crime, appeal court told

The Australian court has been informed that Erin Patterson's crimes, known as the "mushroom murders", were truly despicable, and she should never be released from prison. Crown prosecutors are appealing the sentence as they believe it to be "manifestly inadequate" and allow for parole eligibility. Patterson was sentenced to life in prison after killing three relatives and attempting to kill a fourth by serving them a beef Wellington made with death cap mushrooms at her home in Victoria in 2023.

The 51-year-old, speaking via video link from prison, could be eligible for release after 33 years. The Melbourne Court of Appeal is also reviewing Patterson's convictions as her lawyers attempt to overturn the verdicts. The judges have stated they will reserve their decisions, likely leading to a decision within weeks or months.

Patterson's victims include her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, who all died from what prosecutors called "shocking illnesses" due to the poisoning. The only survivor, Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson, has never recovered from the ordeal. The prosecutors highlighted the "betrayal of trust" perpetrated by Patterson, as she invited family members for lunch, orchestrating the plan for months.

The poisoning was the culmination of her deceit, which included finding and preparing enough death caps to kill, and fabricating a story about having cancer to explain the lunch. Even as the guests fell critically ill, Patterson lied to police and health workers and continued to do so when she knew some victims were on life support.

At her sentencing in September, Justice Christopher Beale stated that Patterson would have a chance of release due to her harsh prison conditions, telling her, "there is a substantial chance that, for your protection, you will continue to be held in solitary confinement for years to come." However, the prosecutors argue this was overstated, as her conditions would improve over time, especially as her notoriety fades.

Patterson's lawyers claim the judge's reasoning was "impeccable" and clearly considered all relevant factors, making the additional three years of the proposed sentence "utterly fails to reflect the gravity of the offending."