A woman convicted of attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson, 69, by serving a meal that left him severely ill, is now facing an appeal hearing. Wilkinson, who is Heather’s husband, survived the ordeal.
The appeal for the 51-year-old is scheduled for August 19 and 20. During these dates, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will appear in court to argue that Patterson’s non-parole period is “manifestly inadequate” and should be reassessed.
Patterson’s legal team submitted an official request to appeal her convictions to the Supreme Court back in November.
In her appeal, Patterson has raised concerns about a “fundamental irregularity” that occurred during the trial while the jury was sequestered.
It emerged that once the jury retired to deliberate, they were accommodated in the same hotel as a police informant and two members of the prosecution team, raising questions about the fairness of the proceedings.
After the jury was sent out for deliberations, it was revealed they had been placed in the same hotel as the police informant and two members of the prosecution team.
Patterson further claimed a “substantial miscarriage of justice occurred” because of the prosecution’s “unfair and oppressive” cross-examination of her when she gave evidence over several days in the trial.
She said the prosecution’s opening and closing arguments also caused a substantial miscarriage of justice because they introduced an implied motive at the end of the trial.
The mushroom cook has also taken issue with evidence that was aired in court.
Justice Christopher Beale noted in sentencing Patterson that her offending was the worst category of murder and represented a betrayal of trust towards people she considered family.
But he showed Patterson mercy with the chance of parole, noting she was essentially in solitary confinement for at least 22 hours a day.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Diana Piekusis KC said the judge had erred by finding there was a “substantial chance” Patterson would be held in solitary confinement for years to come.
Her sentence of life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years will make her Victoria’s longest-serving female prisoner.
