Three dead from poisoned lunch

Erin Patterson is serving three life sentences for murdering her parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson in two thousand twenty-three.

Fourth victim survived the poisoning

Patterson was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, a Korumburra church pastor and husband of Heather Wilkinson. He survived after falling gravely ill from the poisoning.

Sentence set at thirty-three years minimum

Justice Christopher Beale set Patterson's non-parole period at thirty-three years when handing down her life sentence. That means Patterson could be released back into the community when she's in her early eighties.

Defence claims catastrophic jury bungle

Patterson's lawyers told an appeal hearing in August there had been a catastrophic accommodation bungle during jury deliberations.

“catastrophic accommodation bungle”

Prosecution cross-examination challenged

Patterson's lawyers argued that prosecutor Nanette Roger SC's five-day cross-examination of Patterson was unfair and oppressive, with terse exchanges that risked creating improper inferences in jurors' minds.

“unfair and oppressive”

Prosecution seeks life without parole

The prosecution appealed against the thirty-three-year non-parole period, arguing a life sentence without parole was the only option given the number of victims, the planning involved, Patterson's failure to tell medical staff about the poisoning…

Four possible outcomes today

The Court of Appeal may rule leave to appeal has not been granted, dismiss the case despite granting leave, uphold the appeal and order a retrial, or uphold the appeal and acquit Patterson of all…

Sentence appeal only if conviction stands

If Patterson loses her appeal against conviction, judges Lesley Taylor, Stephen McLeish and Peter Kidd will then rule on the prosecution's appeal.If that appeal is upheld, the Court of Appeal will announce Patterson's new sentence.