Judges to rule on Australian mushroom killer's appeal

Melbourne: Erin Patterson, a 52-year-old Australian woman convicted of poisoning her husband's parents and an elderly aunt with a lethal death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington, awaits a decision from the Court of Appeal on Friday. Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2023, with parole eligibility after 33 years.

Her lawyers argued before the Court of Appeal that she had suffered a miscarriage of justice due to irregularities in the trial, such as an oppressive cross-examination and unfair decisions on the admission of evidence. Prosecutors, on the other hand, appealed, arguing that her 33-year non-parole period was manifestly inadequate and should not be granted.

The Court of Appeal will decide on both the conviction and sentence on Friday at 10 am (2300 GMT Thursday). If the judges grant leave to appeal on the conviction, they may dismiss the appeal, uphold it, order a new trial, or acquit her. On the sentence, the court will either dismiss the prosecution's appeal or uphold it and re-sentence her.