Mushroom cook killer Erin Patterson reportedly launches appeal of murder convictions
Mushroom cook killer Erin Patterson has officially appealed her murder convictions.
Patterson’s legal team filed an appeal on Monday and explained the rationale for the legal action, which is expected to be made public in the coming days, The Herald Sun reported.
The appeal comes after he was convicted in July for the shocking murders of three of his relatives.
Patterson attacked four members of her husband’s family with lethal mushrooms, tying them to a beef Wellington dish she served for lunch at her home in Leongatha, Victoria, on July 29, 2023.
Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon, her parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and her aunt, Heather Wilkinson, died after eating the meal.
Heather’s husband Ian Patterson survived the poisoning.
Patterson was found guilty of murdering Don, Gail and Heather and attempting to murder Mr Patterson in July.
He was sentenced in September to a minimum of 33 years behind bars.
The Herald Sun reports that barrister Julian McMahon SC will represent Patterson on appeal.
His case attracted national and international media attention.
He went through an 11-week trial and the jury found him guilty.
In sentencing, Judge Christopher Beale said his crime fell into the “worst category”.
The judge stated that Patterson had “no mercy” for the murders and added: “Your crime involved a great betrayal of trust.
“Your victims were all relatives by marriage. More importantly, they all treated you and your children well over the years.”
Patterson is serving her sentence at the Dame Phyllis Frost Center, a maximum security women’s prison.
The court was told that due to his notoriety he was likely to remain in protective custody throughout his sentence.
On the day he was sentenced, Mr Wilkinson made a statement outside the court thanking the police for their investigation.
“They brought to light the truth about what happened to three good people,” he said.
“We are grateful for the truth that brought this to light, and I am also so grateful for the kindness and compassion they showed me and my family throughout the process.
“We are also grateful to the various public health services workers who played an important role in dealing with the aftermath of the lunch.”
