Appeal hearing begins in Erin Patterson mushroom murder case

Victoria's Court of Appeal in Melbourne has opened a two-day hearing into two separate appeals connected to the so-called mushroom murders case. More than a year after a jury found Erin Patterson guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives and attempting to murder a fourth, three judges are now reconsidering the case.

Patterson, 51, was sentenced last September to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 33 years for murdering her estranged husband's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, by serving them poisoned beef wellingtons. She was also convicted of the attempted murder of Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, who survived after weeks of hospital treatment.

Patterson is appealing her convictions, though not her sentence, on seven grounds. Her legal team argues a "fundamental irregularity" occurred because the jury was sequestered in the same hotel as police and media during deliberations. Barrister Richard Edney told the court jurors had the opportunity to see investigators from the case, though he acknowledged there is no evidence of direct communication. Prosecutors counter that no breach has been shown.

Other grounds for appeal include objections to the admission of mobile phone tower evidence and evidence about death cap mushroom sightings near Patterson's home, as well as claims that her cross-examination at trial was "unfair and oppressive". Her lawyers are also challenging the use of Facebook messages, sent to acquaintances she met through a true-crime group, as evidence.

Separately, Victoria's director of public prosecutions is appealing the sentence itself, arguing it is "manifestly inadequate". Prosecutors say the trial judge erred by factoring in Patterson's ongoing solitary-style confinement, imposed for her own protection due to the notoriety of the case, when setting her non-parole period. The hearing is expected to continue over two days.