A jury determined that she intentionally served beef Wellingtons containing death cap mushrooms to her lunch guests in July 2023 at her residence in Leongatha, a town in regional Victoria.
She contended that Judge Beale made a mistake by excluding photos and videos related to mushrooms found on an SD card in her home from the prosecution’s evidence.
Patterson has consistently asserted her innocence, describing the incident as a tragic accident.
In October, crown prosecutors filed an appeal against what they deemed Patterson’s “manifestly inadequate” sentencing.
In his judgment, Beale characterized Patterson’s actions as the most severe form of murder, highlighting it as a profound betrayal of trust toward individuals she regarded as family.
However, he granted her the possibility of parole, noting her confinement conditions, which involved being in solitary for at least 22 hours daily.
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.
Beale accepted there was no proven motive, but he found Patterson concocted an elaborate story to cover up her offending, including lying about a food dehydrator and having cancer.
