Erin Patterson, 52, failed to overturn her murder convictions in Australia's Court of Appeal on Friday. Three judges also ruled that she will never be eligible for parole, removing the 33-year non-parole period imposed at her original sentencing.
Patterson was convicted last year of murdering her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson by serving them beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms in 2023. A jury also found her guilty of attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband and a local pastor, who survived after weeks in hospital but faces ongoing health issues.
Patterson's legal team argued seven grounds for appeal, including that a hotel booking mishap compromised trial integrity after the jury stayed at the same location as the prosecution, a key police witness and media. They also contended that certain evidence, such as cell tower data and Facebook posts about her in-laws, was prejudicial, while evidence of her long-time mushroom foraging hobby was wrongly blocked.
The judges dismissed all seven grounds. Justice Stephen McLeish said the case involved "such shocking criminality" that fixing a non-parole period would be inappropriate. Patterson has 28 days to seek review by Australia's High Court.