LEONGATHA mother of two, triple murderer Erin Patterson, has been led into court four at the Supreme Court in Melbourne for her first public appearance since being found guilty of the murders and attempted murder of four of her in-laws in Morwell last month.
It was the task of court tipstaff, Stuart Hastings, to call for Ms Patterson to be brought in. She arrived in court, wearing her favourite brown paisley shirt, which featured on several days during the 10-week trial, walking slowly between two corrections officers.
Also assembled in the court are the families of the victims including the only lunch guest to survive the deadly meal of beef Wellington, laced with death cap mushrooms, Pastor Ian Wilkinson.
Legal counsel for Ms Patterson, Colin Mandy SC, lawyer Bill Douge and their team are at the bar table, with the prosecution lawyers, Dr Nanette Rogers SC and Jane Warren on the other side.
The police informant in the case, Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall is standing to the side of the court, watching the proceedings.
There’s a large contingent of media, at least 50 journalists, and a packed public gallery of 80 or more people, hoping to catch a glimpse of the convicted murderer.
The plea hearing, scheduled to run for two days, is the precursor to the sentencing of Erin Patterson at a date yet to be fixed. In fact only one day was needed.
All stand as Justice Christopher Beale enters the court.
Erin Patterson was found guilty of the murders of three of her in-laws; Don and Gail Patterson of Korumburra, the parents of her estranged husband Simon Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson after a marathon trial in the Supreme Court in Morwell, concluding on Monday, July 7, 2025.
After a six-day deliberation by the jury, she was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson who became critically ill after eating the meal of beef Wellington, spiked with death cap mushrooms, prepared for the four guests by Erin Patterson at her Leongatha home in July 2023, but survived after 54 days in hospital.
Justice Beale ultimately set September 8 as the day Ms Patterson will know her fate.
She will have 28 days after her sentence is handed down to appeal her conviction and or the severity of the sentence.