After a trial spanning over two months, 50 witnesses, and a week of deliberations, a 15-person Supreme Court jury has found accused mushroom cook Erin Patterson guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
On Monday, the jury handed down its verdict in Morwell’s Latrobe Valley Law Courts in regional Victoria regarding the now infamous beef Wellington meal at Patterson’s Leongatha home. It found the 50-year guilty of murdering Don and Gail Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson. It also found her guilty of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson.
Now, with the trial wrapped up, here’s what happens next.
What happens after the verdict?
With Patterson found guilty, she will be taken into custody ahead of a plea hearing at a later date. This is when the defence and prosecution will make submissions about what they think the sentence should be.
The actual sentencing will be take place at another date, with Patterson facing a maximum life sentence.
Can Erin Patterson appeal?
It’s a big question coming up today. Yup, Patterson will have 28 days from the date of her sentence to begin lodging an appeal, if any. Her legal team could appeal the guilty verdict itself, the sentence handed down, or both of those things.
Speaking to ABC News, barrister Robert Richter KC said the most common ground for an appeal was that the verdict was unsatisfactory and unreasonable.
“The Court of Appeal might find that it isn’t sufficient to justify a conviction,” he said.
“But that on its own is a very difficult ground to get home, because it sort of does not usurp the function of the jury, but what it does is it looks at what a jury ought to have concluded or should have concluded.”
If an application to appeal is granted, the matter heads to the Court of Appeal, which will also require a court date to be set. Here, the panel will determine if the evidence was not sufficient to produce a verdict beyond reasonable doubt, or if there were errors and the verdict needs to be quashed. In this case, a re-trial could be ordered.
What happens to the jury?
Wondering what the 15 people who delivered the verdict get to go back and tell their friends? Well, under the Juries Act, they’re actually prevented from talking about any of the opinions, voting, or discussions that happened in the jury room. They’d be risking fines or even up to five years’ jail time if they do.
Those who serve on a trial are generally exempted from being called for jury service again for three years, but as reported by Reuters, Justice Christopher Beale has given the jurors a special “dispensation” due to the complexity of the case. Translation? They won’t be called for jury duty for 15 years.
Victoria Police calls for privacy for the families
Victoria Police said it acknowledges the decision of the jury, and will continue to support the families affected.
“Our thoughts are with the respective families at this time and we acknowledge how difficult these past two years have been for them. We will continue to support them in every way possible following this decision,” it said in a statement on Monday.
The Patterson and Wilkinson families have asked for privacy at this time, and will not be supplying a statement via Victoria Police.
Addressing reporters outside the court in Morwell, Victoria Police Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas also acknowledge the investigators in this case over the last two years.
“I’d just like to acknowledge the decision of the jury today and I’d also like to acknowledge the investigators that have worked on this investigation since July 2023 right through to today,” he said, per ABC News.
“I think it’s very important that we remember that … three people have died and we’ve had a person that’s nearly died and was seriously injured a a result. I ask that we acknowledge those people and not forget them.”
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