{
  "id": 17135164,
  "title": "Erin Patterson appeal live updates: mushroom murderer to learn fate in retrial bid",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/erin-patterson-appeal-live-updates-mushroom-murderer-to-learn-fate-in-17135164",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T22:24:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian Australia",
    "slug": "the-guardian-australia",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/oct/30/erin-patterson-appeal-live-updates-australia-mushroom-murders-case-retrial-bid-latest-news-ntwnfb"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Court of Appeal is set to rule on Erin Patterson's two appeals in their bid for retrial or a longer prison term in the high-profile Australian mushroom triple-murder case. Confined to the Gordon unit of the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Patterson appeared via videolink in royal blue attire and communicated her ability to hear proceedings through a raised thumb. The appeal hearings in August saw only a handful of victims' family representatives in court, with homicide squad detectives and members of the public in attendance. Director of Public Prosecutions Brendan Kissane KC argued that the initial sentence was manifestly inadequate, claiming that even though Patterson would be in her 80s when eligible for parole, the sentence was still too lenient. Patterson's legal team presented seven grounds for appeal, including the alleged catastrophic failure of the justice system due to jurors staying in the same hotel as police and prosecution. Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years for the murders of her estranged husband's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, his aunt Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, who survived the death cap mushroom-laced beef wellington.",
  "summary": "Court of appeal is set to rule on the two appeals from 10am in the high profile Australian mushroom triple-murder case Erin Patterson to learn if she could face retrial or longer jail term A note on the proceedings today The court of appeal is due to make its decision at 10am today . Our reporter, Nino Bucci , will be there and we’ll bring you updates as soon as they happen. Continue reading...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Judges to rule on Australian mushroom killer's appeal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/judges-to-rule-on-australian-mushroom-killers-appeal",
        "published": "2026-10-29T19:15:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson to learn her fate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/mushroom-murderer-erin-patterson-to-learn-her-fate",
        "published": "2026-10-29T19:26:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson to learn her fate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/mushroom-murderer-erin-patterson-to-learn-her-fate-17112698",
        "published": "2026-10-29T19:26:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Australian mushroom killer Erin Patterson awaits appeal ruling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/australian-mushroom-killer-erin-patterson-awaits-appeal-ruling",
        "published": "2026-10-29T19:30:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Judges to rule on Australian mushroom killer's appeal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/judges-to-rule-on-australian-mushroom-killers-appeal-17117980",
        "published": "2026-10-29T19:35:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Live: Appeal decision at 10am for triple murderer Erin Patterson",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/live-appeal-decision-at-10am-for-triple-murderer-erin-patterson",
        "published": "2026-10-29T22:15:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}