GUILTY Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 *Arrest* #19
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Her hair appears to have gone a bit greyer.
But perhaps that's just a ploy to trick the judge into some leniency.
I don't think that will work Evil Erin.
But perhaps that's just a ploy to trick the judge into some leniency.
I don't think that will work Evil Erin.
The ‘elaborate’ cover-up after the beef Wellington lunch and the single word that might have changed everything
September 8 is the date Erin Patterson will learn her fate – whether that be life in prison without the possibility of parole, as the prosecution has requested, or life with the possibility of the poisoner one day walking outside of jail once again.
9.41am
TV helicopter hovers over Melbourne’s legal precinct
By
Welcome to our live coverage of Erin Patterson’s pre-sentence hearing, which begins this morning and will continue into tomorrow.I’m Erin Pearson and will be filing updates from the Supreme Court in Melbourne, where the mushroom cook killer will appear to make her plea for leniency to Justice Christopher Beale.
It’s another cold winter morning in the CBD, but anticipation is high as camera crews wait for Patterson’s prison van to arrive. A television helicopter is hovering over the city’s legal precinct, where extra security was brought in to help the van navigate the waiting press pack.
The hearing comes a month after a jury found Patterson guilty of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, after feeding them a lunch laced with death cap mushrooms on July 29, 2023.
Stay tuned for more updates.
9.43am
What happens in a plea hearing
By
Plea hearings, also known as pre-sentence hearings, happen after a jury finds someone guilty or when they admit their crime.They are a chance for prosecutors to make submissions to the judge on what sentence they think is appropriate and for victims to have their say.
Defence lawyers use the hearings to tell a judge more about their client’s background, discuss things like medical history or mental health issues, which could impact their time in custody and plea for leniency.
Today’s plea hearing comes six weeks after a jury found Patterson guilty of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson. She was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, after feeding the group a lunch laced with death cap mushrooms on July 29, 2023.
On July 7, after six days of deliberations, a jury of seven men and five women returned guilty verdicts over the fatal lunch at Patterson’s Leongatha home. It followed a marathon 10-week trial involving dozens of witnesses.
In finding Patterson guilty, the jury accepted the prosecution’s case that the mother of two had invited her in-laws and the Wilkinsons over that day to falsely tell them she had cancer and ask for advice on breaking the news to her kids. Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was invited to the lunch but declined to attend the night before.
Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson died in the days after the beef Wellington meal from the effects of toxic mushroom poisoning. Ian Wilkinson survived after spending weeks in a coma in hospital.
Erin Patterson pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming the deaths were a terrible accident.
9.43am
Why we are in Melbourne and not Morwell
By
Erin Patterson’s trial was heard at the Latrobe Valley law courts in Morwell, about 150 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, in Gippsland.But Monday’s plea hearing is taking place in Melbourne after Justice Christopher Beale said the Morwell courthouse was unavailable due to works.
There is a principle in Australian criminal law that local communities should be able to watch court proceedings relating to crimes allegedly committed in their area. It also suggests that an accused person should be judged by their peers.
It’s the view of the courts that allowing communities to watch the justice system at work helps to shore up public confidence in the administration of justice.
The Latrobe Valley legal precinct was the closest court building to where the fatal lunch was held that could host a Supreme Court trial.
10.01am
The scene at Melbourne’s Supreme Court
By
Camera crews and snappers have just got the money shot – Erin Patterson arriving in her prison van.Extra security has been brought in to help the prison van navigate the waiting press.
Erin Patterson arrives at court.Credit: NewsWire
It’s freezing in Melbourne, not unlike the temperatures experienced in Morwell during her mammoth murder trial.
10.06am
More photos of Erin Patterson
By
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has arrived in Melbourne for her leniency plea after she received a triple-murder conviction last month.Here are some of the photos that just lobbed into our system.
10.09am
Patterson and Wilkinson family members arrive
By
About 50 members of the public have begun filtering into the gallery at court ahead of the expected 10.30am start time.Many Patterson and Wilkinson family members have arrived including surviving lunch guest Ian Wilkinson and his adult children.
10.14am
What about what the jury didn’t hear?
By
Since Erin Patterson was found guilty, details of what the jury didn’t hear have been revealed for the first time.This included details about allegations that she previously tried to kill husband Simon, along with her online research about poisonings.
Her pre-trial hearing was told that Simon was twice hospitalised for gastro-related symptoms after eating meals made by his then-wife.
This included a penne bolognese, a chicken curry and a wrap. On one occasion, he was placed in a coma for 16 days and had three parts of his bowel removed during emergency surgery.
Documents on poisons were also found on electronic devices seized by police during a search of Erin’s Leongatha home.
They included a book titled Criminal Poisonings, from which she’d saved a single appendix – “common homicidal poisons” – onto her tablet.
She also had an article about 50 cases of red kidney bean poisoning in the UK from 1976 to 1989, and a string of Google searches for words including “poison” and “hemlock”, a highly poisonous flowering plant.
But just like bans on the jury hearing or being able to consider those things as part of their verdict, Justice Beale will also not be able to take them into account in his sentence of Patterson.
Beale can only sentence Patterson based on the case put to the jury at its highest.
10.17am
Dressed in a simple paisley top, Patterson is escorted inside the court
By
Erin Patterson has arrived from prison, dressed in her paisley top and two brown jackets. She’s been escorted inside the building and into the cells at court by security.The hearing will begin in about 10 minutes.
Families to deliver victim impact statements at Erin Patterson pre-sentencing hearing
Loved ones of the lunch guests murdered by Erin Patterson will today come face-to-face with the cold-blooded killer as they deliver powerful victim impact statements.37 minutes ago
Erin Patterson arrives at court
Erin has arrived at the Supreme Court from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in a custody van.
She appears to have lost weight since her murder trial ended in early July.
Loved ones of the victims have also started to gathered at the court.
Ian has been be spotted, alongside his daughter Ruth Dubois.
Dozens of members of the public have started lining up to secure their seats, with the courtroom expected to be packed.
14 minutes ago
Patterson stumbles, looks to the sky
Dressed in a brown cardigan with a brown shirt and the paisley blouse she wore regularly throughout her trial, she briefly stumbled and looked up at the sky as she was guided out of the van by custody officers.
Loved ones of the victims have also started to gather at court.
Ian has been be spotted, alongside his daughter Ruth Dubois.
Patterson’s only friend Ali Prior has also been seen.
Dozens of members of the public have started lining up to secure their seats, with the courtroom expected to be packed.
10.24am
Seated with them are more than a dozen family friends and members of the homicide squad.
They’ve been asked to sit to the right of the dock, where Erin Patterson will be seated, while media have been asked to remain to the left.
More than 60 people have now gathered in the upstairs public gallery. Two jurors, who cannot be identified, have also arrived to watch the hearing today.
Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers (left) and Sarah Lenthall have arrived too.
www.theage.com.au
Who’s who in courtroom four
By
Seated in room four of the Supreme Court are Ian Wilkinson and his daughter Ruth Dubios, alongside her husband Brad.Seated with them are more than a dozen family friends and members of the homicide squad.
They’ve been asked to sit to the right of the dock, where Erin Patterson will be seated, while media have been asked to remain to the left.
More than 60 people have now gathered in the upstairs public gallery. Two jurors, who cannot be identified, have also arrived to watch the hearing today.
Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers (left) and Sarah Lenthall have arrived too.
The ‘elaborate’ cover-up after the beef Wellington lunch and the single word that might have changed everything
September 8 is the date Erin Patterson will learn her fate – whether that be life in prison without the possibility of parole, as the prosecution has requested, or life with the possibility of the poisoner one day walking outside of jail once again.
My thoughts exactly! I thought perhaps she tried to look haggard to gain sympathy. But perhaps it was a rough trip in the prison van?
Erin Patterson plea hearing: mushroom murderer’s prison conditions ‘don’t sound very humane’, judge says – as it happened
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15m ago10.19 AEST
Welcome
Welcome to our live coverage of Erin Patterson’s plea hearing.On 7 July, Patterson was found guilty of murdering her estranged husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson. A Victorian supreme court jury also found Patterson guilty of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.
In the pre-sentencing hearing, the prosecution and defence will make arguments about factors supreme court judge Justice Christopher Beale should take into account when sentencing Patterson.
The hearing also gives loved ones of the victims a chance to tell the court how the crime has affected them.
The prosecution has flagged “a lot” of victim impact statements will be heard.
The hearing is expected to begin at 10.30am.
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Live: Erin Patterson arrives at court ahead of plea hearing Here's the link I'll be updating from
Erin is probably giddy to see Ali, and doesn’t care about the rest.
Families to deliver victim impact statements at Erin Patterson pre-sentencing hearing
Loved ones of the lunch guests murdered by Erin Patterson will today come face-to-face with the cold-blooded killer as they deliver powerful victim impact statements.
37 minutes ago
Erin Patterson arrives at court
Erin has arrived at the Supreme Court from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in a custody van.
She appears to have lost weight since her murder trial ended in early July.
Loved ones of the victims have also started to gathered at the court.
Ian has been be spotted, alongside his daughter Ruth Dubois.
Dozens of members of the public have started lining up to secure their seats, with the courtroom expected to be packed.
14 minutes ago
Patterson stumbles, looks to the sky
Dressed in a brown cardigan with a brown shirt and the paisley blouse she wore regularly throughout her trial, she briefly stumbled and looked up at the sky as she was guided out of the van by custody officers.
Loved ones of the victims have also started to gather at court.
Ian has been be spotted, alongside his daughter Ruth Dubois.
Patterson’s only friend Ali Prior has also been seen.
Dozens of members of the public have started lining up to secure their seats, with the courtroom expected to be packed.
IMO
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1m ago
The families and loved ones of victims are expected to speak about how the deaths of Don and Gail Patteron and Heather Wilkinson has impacted them.
Last month Patterson was found guilty of the three murders as well as the attempted murder of Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson.
We'll bring you the latest from the courtroom as it happens.
www.abc.net.au
Welcome to the blog
By Mikaela Ortolan
Triple-murderer Erin Patterson will be back before the Supreme Court of Victoria today for a plea hearing.The families and loved ones of victims are expected to speak about how the deaths of Don and Gail Patteron and Heather Wilkinson has impacted them.
Last month Patterson was found guilty of the three murders as well as the attempted murder of Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson.
We'll bring you the latest from the courtroom as it happens.
Prosecutors say Patterson had intent to kill months before mushroom lunch — as it happened
Convicted killer Erin Patterson will face a two day pre-sentence hearing after being found guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them beef Wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms. Follow the hearing live.
www.abc.net.au
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The thing is, she's never been in an environment like prison, where she is surrounded, for the most part, by people who have struggled for survival their whole lives. Their instincts for survival honed by suspicion of those who would take advantage.
I'm sure that church community and certain online communities were full of perfectly lovely people willing to think the best of someone or take something said at face value. She could get away with a lot.
Prison is not like that. Prison is going to be full of inmates and staff alike who are a suspicious lot, who are highly alert for someone manipulating or running game on them. Their survival has, and does, depend on it.
Sounds like at least the girls at the gaol sussed her out pretty quickly and were not interested in her nonsense.
MOO
I wonder what book she is reading now...........The ‘elaborate’ cover-up after the beef Wellington lunch and the single word that might have changed everything
September 8 is the date Erin Patterson will learn her fate – whether that be life in prison without the possibility of parole, as the prosecution has requested, or life with the possibility of the poisoner one day walking outside of jail once again.
The scene at Melbourne’s Supreme Court
By
Camera crews and snappers have just got the money shot – Erin Patterson arriving in her prison van.
Extra security has been brought in to help the prison van navigate the waiting press.
- Joined
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- Messages
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- 15,729
Just now
Ian Wilkinson, the only other surviving member of the deadly lunch at Erin Patterson's home in 2023, arrived earlier today.
The pastor was flanked by his family as he made his way into the court building.
Mr Wilkinson was hospitalised for several weeks following the lunch after eating a poisoned beef Wellington prepared by Patterson.
Ian and Luke Wilkinson at the Supreme Court (ABC News)
www.abc.net.au
Ian Wilkinson arrives at Supreme Court
By Judd Boaz
Ian Wilkinson, the only other surviving member of the deadly lunch at Erin Patterson's home in 2023, arrived earlier today.
The pastor was flanked by his family as he made his way into the court building.
Mr Wilkinson was hospitalised for several weeks following the lunch after eating a poisoned beef Wellington prepared by Patterson.
Prosecutors say Patterson had intent to kill months before mushroom lunch — as it happened
Convicted killer Erin Patterson will face a two day pre-sentence hearing after being found guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them beef Wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms. Follow the hearing live.
www.abc.net.au
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This being said. Erin has an interesting, unusual face. She has not been deprived of anything: looks, brain, money, independence, family, kids. She had a very, very stable life in a very good country.
Why the heck did she need to ruin it for herself and everyone else around her? Unbelievable.
6 minutes ago
Erin enters dock, smiles at friend
Erin has entered the courtroom and made her way to the dock.
She is clutching a folder of papers and her brown cardigan.
Her long hair has been pulled to one side in a side ponytail.
She has taken her seat before speaking briefly to her defence barrister Sophie Stafford.
As she entered the dock, Erin looked directly at her friend, Ali Prior, who supported her throughout her trial, and smiled
Family and friends of the victims are seated to the left of the dock and the media on the right.
Members of the public are seated up above in the public gallery.
Erin has only attended the Supreme Court in Melbourne once before.
1 minute ago
Seven victim impact statements to be read out
Justice Christopher Beale has entered the courtroom, prompting everyone to rise to their feet.
The associate to His Honour has asked Erin for her “particulars” or her details.
She confirmed her date of birth is September 30, 1974, and she is 50 years old.
She said her previous occupation was an administrative clerk and her previous address was 84 Gibson St, Leongatha.
The court heard there are seven victim impact statements.
Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC confirmed that Ian will read his victim impact statement to the court and his daughter Ruth Dubois.
Erin enters dock, smiles at friend
Erin has entered the courtroom and made her way to the dock.
She is clutching a folder of papers and her brown cardigan.
Her long hair has been pulled to one side in a side ponytail.
She has taken her seat before speaking briefly to her defence barrister Sophie Stafford.
As she entered the dock, Erin looked directly at her friend, Ali Prior, who supported her throughout her trial, and smiled
Family and friends of the victims are seated to the left of the dock and the media on the right.
Members of the public are seated up above in the public gallery.
Erin has only attended the Supreme Court in Melbourne once before.
1 minute ago
Seven victim impact statements to be read out
Justice Christopher Beale has entered the courtroom, prompting everyone to rise to their feet.
The associate to His Honour has asked Erin for her “particulars” or her details.
She confirmed her date of birth is September 30, 1974, and she is 50 years old.
She said her previous occupation was an administrative clerk and her previous address was 84 Gibson St, Leongatha.
The court heard there are seven victim impact statements.
Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC confirmed that Ian will read his victim impact statement to the court and his daughter Ruth Dubois.
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Key Event
Just now
Ian Wilkinson begins his statement
By Judd Boaz
Ian Wilkinson has begun delivering his victim impact statement.
He tells Justice Beale he will begin by talking about his late wife, Heather Wilkinson.
His voice is wracked with emotion as he describes his wife's intelligence, wit and compassion.
Mr Wilkinson says his wife was "simply, a delightful person".
www.abc.net.au
Just now
Ian Wilkinson begins his statement
By Judd Boaz
Ian Wilkinson has begun delivering his victim impact statement.
He tells Justice Beale he will begin by talking about his late wife, Heather Wilkinson.
His voice is wracked with emotion as he describes his wife's intelligence, wit and compassion.
Mr Wilkinson says his wife was "simply, a delightful person".
Prosecutors say Patterson had intent to kill months before mushroom lunch — as it happened
Convicted killer Erin Patterson will face a two day pre-sentence hearing after being found guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them beef Wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms. Follow the hearing live.
www.abc.net.au
5m ago01.37 BST
Patterson’s plea hearing has begun in Victoria’s supreme court.
She will hear her victims and their loved ones give statements about how the crime has impacted them.
Patterson, appearing gaunt and drawn compared to when she appeared in court for her trial, just responded in the affirmative to four questions regarding her particulars. There are about 10 members of the Wilkinson and Patterson family in court, including Ian WIlkinson, but not Simon Patterson
2m ago01.40 BST
Justice Christopher Beale says there are seven victim impact statements.
The first victim impact statement will be from Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving lunch guest, the court hears.
Wilkinson will read his statement in court.
www.theguardian.com
Patterson’s plea hearing has begun in Victoria’s supreme court.
She will hear her victims and their loved ones give statements about how the crime has impacted them.
Patterson, appearing gaunt and drawn compared to when she appeared in court for her trial, just responded in the affirmative to four questions regarding her particulars. There are about 10 members of the Wilkinson and Patterson family in court, including Ian WIlkinson, but not Simon Patterson
2m ago01.40 BST
Justice Christopher Beale says there are seven victim impact statements.
The first victim impact statement will be from Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving lunch guest, the court hears.
Wilkinson will read his statement in court.
Erin Patterson plea hearing: mushroom murderer’s prison conditions ‘don’t sound very humane’, judge says – as it happened
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Key Event
1m ago
Ian Wilkinson breaks down
Judd Boaz profile image
By Judd Boaz
Mr Wilkinson says his wife was "a fellow traveler" in his Christian faith, and paid tribute to her selflessness.
There's so much more that deserves to be said about Heather.
He said a shortcoming of society was the attention "showered on those who do evil", and the lack of attention on those who do good.
"It's a truly horrible thought to live with, that somebody could decide to take her life," he says.
"I only feel half-alive without her," Mr Wilkinson says, before breaking down emotionally.
He says his only consolation is that they will be reunited one day in heaven.
www.abc.net.au
1m ago
Ian Wilkinson breaks down
Judd Boaz profile image
By Judd Boaz
Mr Wilkinson says his wife was "a fellow traveler" in his Christian faith, and paid tribute to her selflessness.
There's so much more that deserves to be said about Heather.
He said a shortcoming of society was the attention "showered on those who do evil", and the lack of attention on those who do good.
"It's a truly horrible thought to live with, that somebody could decide to take her life," he says.
"I only feel half-alive without her," Mr Wilkinson says, before breaking down emotionally.
He says his only consolation is that they will be reunited one day in heaven.
Prosecutors say Patterson had intent to kill months before mushroom lunch — as it happened
Convicted killer Erin Patterson will face a two day pre-sentence hearing after being found guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them beef Wellingtons that contained death cap mushrooms. Follow the hearing live.
www.abc.net.au
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