THE Acting Director of Public Prosecution Diana Piekusis KC has filed a Notice of Appeal against the sentence handed down to Leongatha triple murderer Erin Patterson.
Ms Piekusis considers that an error has been made in the sentence imposed and that a different sentence should be imposed.
Grounds of appeal
1. The sentencing judge erred in finding that there was a ‘substantial chance’ the respondent would be held in ‘solitary confinement for years to come’ when such a finding was not open on the evidence, and that finding infected his assessment of the respondent’s likely future conditions in custody and his decision to fix a non-parole period.
2. The sentence imposed on the offender is manifestly inadequate, in that:
a). It was inappropriate for the sentencing judge to fix a non-parole period; or
b). The non-parole period of 33 years is manifestly inadequate.
