The 50-year-old woman kept her eyes shut for most of today’s sentencing hearing. The court listened to details of her methodical scheme to murder four members of her extended family, as well as the falsehoods she used to attempt to conceal her actions.

But she stared straight ahead as she was given hope of being released while serving three concurrent life sentences.

Patterson’s life behind bars 

Justice Beale spoke at length about Patterson’s time in prison.

She has been in custody since her arrest in November 2023.

Patterson is assessed as “major offender status”, meaning she is at significant risk from other inmates, Justice Beale said.

He noted Patterson does not pose a risk to other prisoners.

She is also not permitted to mix with other women in her unit and spends at least 22 hours per day in a cell.

Meals and medicine are delivered through a flap in Patterson’s cell door.

She accesses a small concrete yard for fresh air.

Justice Beale told the court that Patterson only has approval to speak to one other inmate in her unit.

Any communication needs to be a wire mesh.

This unnamed inmate is undergoing a lengthy sentence for terrorism offences and has attacked other inmates, Justice Beale said.

“You did not ask to communicate with that person and have not communicated with her,” Beale noted.