Case against Erin Patterson is ‘overwhelming’ and mushroom killer’s appeal should be dismissed, prosecutors say

Crown prosecutor tells Victorian court that all seven of Patterson’s grounds for appeal should fail

Victoria’s highest court has been urged to dismiss Erin Patterson’s appeal against her triple murder conviction, hearing that the case against her during trial was “overwhelming”.

On Thursday, three judges of Victoria’s court of appeal continued hearing arguments regarding Patterson’s bid to have her conviction overturned.

While Patterson, 51, is appealing against her convictions , the Director of Public Prosecutions is also appealing against the sentence handed down to her, arguing it is “manifestly inadequate”.

In September, Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 33 years, for the murders of her estranged husband’s parents Don and Gail Patterson and his aunt Heather Wilkinson.

She was also convicted of the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch after spending weeks in hospital.

Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the court on Thursday that all seven of Patterson’s grounds for appeal should fail.

“This was an overwhelming case and the court ought to conclude that convictions were inevitable based on the evidence,” he said.