Mushroom killer Patterson loses appeal, faces life without parole
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 16:52 · Archive
Erin Patterson's appeal against her murder and attempted murder convictions has been dismissed, with the court increasing her sentence to life without parole.
Erin Patterson's appeal against her murder and attempted murder convictions was dismissed on Friday by the Victorian Court of Appeal. Rather than upholding her original sentence, the court increased her punishment to life without parole, in line with a prosecution appeal.
The decision to remove Patterson's non-parole period entirely was a rare move for an appeal court. Brianna Chesser, a criminology and justice expert at RMIT, said the court's action reflected the severity of the offending. "It really speaks to the gravity of the offending," she told AAP. Chesser said she had expected the non-parole period to be raised to around 37 years rather than removed altogether.
Patterson has 28 days to lodge an application for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia. However, legal experts assess her prospects as poor. Chesser noted that around 90 per cent of applications for special leave do not succeed, as the High Court only deals with cases that shape national law.
How it is being reported
- Killer Erin Patterson to consider High Court challengeTriple killer Erin Patterson will have four weeks to decide whether to appeal to the High Court of Australia after losing her first appeal bid.Perth Now · 30 Oct, 16:34
- Killer Erin Patterson to consider High Court challengeTriple killer Erin Patterson will have four weeks to decide whether to appeal to the High Court of Australia after losing her first appeal bid.The West Australian · 30 Oct, 16:34
In this story: Erin Patterson · Victorian Court of Appeal · High Court of Australia · Brianna Chesser · RMIT · Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
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