Victoria's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has lodged an appeal against the sentence handed down to triple murderer Erin Patterson, arguing it is 'manifestly inadequate'. The appeal was confirmed on Monday, the deadline for filing, after Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years on 8 September.
Patterson was convicted of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, and attempting to murder Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, by serving them beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. The Pattersons were the parents of her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson was Gail's sister.
During sentencing, Justice Christopher Beale cited several aggravating factors, including substantial premeditation, pitiless behaviour after the lunch, the suffering of victims, an elaborate cover-up, and an enormous betrayal of trust. The prosecution had argued that Patterson should never be released due to the horrendous nature of the crime.
Justice Beale, however, fixed a non-parole period, taking into account the harsh prison conditions Patterson has faced, including solitary confinement for the past 15 months, which is likely to continue for her own protection. Patterson maintains she did not intend to poison her guests, and her lawyers have confirmed they will also contest her conviction.
