Prosecutors say Erin Patterson should never be released

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Prosecutors have filed an appeal against Mushroom Killer Erin PattersonHe was sentenced to life imprisonment on the grounds that the judge was too generous in giving him the possibility of parole after 33 years.

Patterson, 50, was Sentenced last month for the murders For the attempted murder of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and their relatives Heather Wilkinson, and Ian Wilkinson.

All three died in July 2023 after eating a beef Wellington meal with deadly mushrooms at Patterson’s home in Leongatha, south-east of Melbourne.

Justice Christopher Beal sentenced him Life imprisonment with non-parole period of 33 yearsCiting the unusually harsh conditions of his detention – including more than a year he spent in solitary confinement for his own safety – should be taken into account.

The decision allowed Patterson to apply for release on parole after 33 years.

But Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions Diana Pykusis Casey has challenged that decision as she described the sentence as “patently inadequate”.

He said the conclusion that Patterson would likely spend “many years to come” in solitary confinement was not supported by the evidence and unfairly influenced the judge’s reasoning.

A woman poses in a mural by street artist Jarrod Grech of Erin Patterson – now marked with a convict symbol – of the Australian woman who was found guilty of murdering three members of her husband's family with beef laced with poisonous mushrooms, Wellington Lunch — A woman poses in a mural by street artist Jarrod Grech of Erin Patterson – now marked with a convict symbol – of the Australian woman who was found guilty of murdering three members of her husband’s family with beef laced with poisonous mushrooms, Wellington Lunch ,AFP via Getty Images,

“The sentencing judge erred in finding that there was a ‘substantial probability’ that the defendant would be held in ‘solitary confinement for years to come’ when such a finding was not open to the evidence, and this finding affected his assessment of the defendant’s potential future conditions in custody and his decision to set a non-parole period,” court documents said. Is.

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He said he was “satisfied that an appeal should be brought in the public interest”.

“The DPP argues that the sentence imposed on Patterson is manifestly inadequate, in that: a) it was inappropriate for the sentencing judge to set a non-parole period; or b) a non-parole period of 33 years is manifestly inadequate.”

Patterson has indicated She will appeal against her convictionHowever that appeal has not yet been filed.

The exterior of the Leongatha home where Erin Patterson serves beef wellington with four death cap mushrooms in Leongatha, Australia ,AAP Image,

Before his sentencing in August, the Supreme Court was told that Patterson’s own safety was at risk from other prisoners and he was being held in solitary confinement within the maximum security prison.

The court was told that he had little access to fresh air as his food was delivered through a trap door. He is allowed to communicate with only one other prisoner, who is a convicted terrorist.

Justice Beale took these harsh circumstances into consideration when sentencing Patterson.

She said the media attention the case has received, including books, documentaries and TV series, would mean she could be a long-term target of fellow prisoners.

He said, “You have effectively been kept in solitary confinement continuously for the last 15 months and, at the very least, there is a substantial possibility that, for your safety, you will be kept in solitary confinement for years to come.”

“The harsh prison conditions you have already experienced and the possibility of solitary confinement in the near future are significant and important considerations that must be taken into account in the sentencing process.

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“In my view, the only scope to count them is to determine the non-parole period.”

Patterson turned 51 in prison last week. He has consistently denied the allegations and has said that the poisoning was an accident.

A hearing date has not been set for the latest appeal.