Erin Patterson, 50, invited her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail Patterson’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, over for lunch at her home in the town of Leongatha
A woman who poisoned three of her estranged husband’s family members with a beef wellington laced with toxic mushrooms has been handed a life sentence.
On 29 July 2023, Erin Patterson, 50, invited her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail Patterson’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, to lunch at her home in Leongatha, a court was told.
The mother-of-two, hailing from Victoria in southern Australia, was found guilty at the Supreme Court trial in Victoria state after six days of jury deliberation, following a nine-week trial.
Patterson was convicted of the murders of Don and Gail Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.
Today, Justice Christopher Beale sentenced Patterson to life imprisonment at the same court, reports the Mirror.
Prosecutors contended that Patterson’s betrayal, use of poison as a weapon, and premeditation of the poisonings were all aggravating factors. The defence argued that Patterson’s solitary confinement for safety reasons made her jail time particularly tough and psychologically harsh, serving as a mitigating factor.
Justice Beale stated that Patterson’s killings involved “substantial pre-meditation”.
He declared that Patterson lured the guests with the express purpose of murdering them all.
He continued: “The motives for such murders may only ever be known to the offenders. Clearly, the jury was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you committed the alleged offences. Only you know why you committed them. I will not be speculating about that matter.”
Justice Beale remarked that Erin Patterson had betrayed those dearest to her, stating: “Your offending involved an enormous betrayal of trust. Your victims were all your relatives by marriage. More than that, they had all been good to you and your children over many years, as you acknowledged in your testimony.”
He continued: “Your failure to exhibit any remorse pours salt into all of the victims’ wounds.”
Concluding the proceedings, Justice Christopher Beale declared: “Having regard to the aggravating circumstances of your offending and the victim impact statements, I have no hesitation in finding that your offending falls into the worst category for the offences of murder and attempted murder.
“The gravity of your offending warrants the imposition of the maximum penalties for your crimes.”
Erin Patterson’s conditions in prison Justice Beale revealed that Patterson holds a maximum security classification behind bars owing to her offences and infamy, leaving her facing “significant risk” from fellow inmates.
The court was told Patterson is housed at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, confined to her cell for roughly 22 hours daily.
Patterson is banned from mingling with other prisoners.
Her food and medication are passed through a slot in her cell door, and during lockdowns, she remains locked up for a full 24 hours.
She has minimal interaction with others or access to amenities like the library.
**Sentencing**.
Justice Beale handed Patterson the following punishment:.
Complete sentence: life imprisonment with a non-parole term of 33 years.
Patterson will return to the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, where she has been condemned to remain for no less than the next 33 years of her existence.
Justice Beale declared: “There is a substantial chance that for your protection you will continue to be held in solitary confinement for years to come.”
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