On 8/9, 50-year-old Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison for the mushroom poisoning deaths of three people, following a 10-week trial that captivated Australia. She will be eligible for parole after 33 years.
In 2023, Patterson poisoned her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, and Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, during a lunch at her home. The meal, beef Wellington, contained death cap mushrooms. Don, Gail, and Heather died in the hospital.
Ian Wilkinson survived but suffered serious health issues. Patterson was also convicted of attempting to murder him.
Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, had also been invited to the lunch but declined.
While the prosecution did not establish a motive, they highlighted the strained relationship between Patterson and her husband, as well as her past frustrations with her in-laws.
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Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison on 4/9. Photo: New Daily |
Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison on 4/9. Photo: New Daily
"The victims were her in-laws. All of them had treated her and her children well over the years, as she acknowledged in her evidence," Justice Christopher Beale said, adding that Patterson not only devastated two families but also caused immeasurable pain to her own children.
Justice Beale stated that the premeditated nature of the crime and Patterson's lack of remorse justified the lengthy sentence.
Both the prosecution and defense agreed that a life sentence was appropriate for the three murder and one attempted murder charges. However, the defense requested parole after 30 years, while the prosecution argued against any leniency.
Throughout the trial, Patterson maintained her innocence, claiming the poisoning was accidental. She has 28 days to file an appeal.
The case garnered significant attention in Australia and internationally. Media and television crews from around the world descended upon the town of Morwell when the trial began in April. Millions of Australians followed the proceedings live via a podcast.
Due to the immense public interest, the Supreme Court, for the thu nhat time in its history, allowed a television camera inside the courtroom on 8/9 to broadcast Justice Beale's sentencing remarks live.
The trial has inspired books, documentaries, and the upcoming television series "Toxic."
Tue Anh (according to CBS, Reuters)
