Erin Patterson appeal live: prosecutors seek life without parole for triple murderer

Erin Patterson has returned to court for the second day of her appeal against convictions for three murders and one attempted murder. She appeared via video link from a maximum-security prison, wearing a royal blue jumper and jeans.

Patterson's legal team argues that evidence regarding mobile phone towers and online mushroom sightings should not have been admitted at trial. They contend this evidence was irrelevant or unfairly prejudiced her case. However, Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams argued that the evidence, taken together, demonstrated Patterson had the opportunity to deliberately source death cap mushrooms before the fatal lunch.

The prosecution used expert testimony on phone tower data to infer Patterson could have visited locations where death cap mushrooms were sighted and reported on the iNaturalist citizen science website. This evidence was presented as part of a collection showing her opportunity to acquire the poisonous fungi.

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taken together, showed Patterson had the opportunity to deliberately source death cap mushrooms before the fatal lunch.

Meanwhile, Victoria's director of public prosecutions is appealing Patterson's sentence, arguing it is "manifestly inadequate." Last September, Patterson received a life sentence 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 attempting to murder Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived the meal.

The three judges of the Victorian Court of Appeal will decide whether to quash Patterson's convictions and whether she should serve life without the possibility of parole. A judgment will be delivered at a later date.

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manifestly inadequate