Australian Prosecutors Appeal 'Inadequate' Sentence for Mushroom Murderer Erin Patterson

Australian prosecutors have filed an appeal against the prison sentence of Erin Patterson, who was convicted of murdering three relatives and attempting to kill a fourth by serving them beef Wellington laced with lethal death cap mushrooms in 2023. Patterson was sentenced to life imprisonment but will be eligible for parole after 33 years, a sentence prosecutors argue is "manifestly inadequate" given the severity of her crimes. The Department of Public Prosecutions in Victoria is seeking a longer non-parole period, with prosecutors asserting that Patterson's offense falls into the "worst category" and that she should never be eligible for parole. Patterson's legal team has announced their intention to appeal her conviction, though the grounds have not yet been disclosed. The case has attracted significant public and media attention in Australia and globally due to the unusual nature of the crime and the length of the sentence for a female offender. The appeals for both the sentence and conviction will be heard by the Victorian Court of Appeal at a later date yet to be determined.