ABC News Daily Life sentence for mushroom killer Erin Patterson
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Sep 8, 2025 Dr. Xanthe Mallett, an Associate Professor of Criminology at Central Queensland University, discusses the haunting case of Erin Patterson, who received multiple life sentences for poisoning three dinner guests. Mallett analyzes the court's unprecedented proceedings and the psychological impacts of solitary confinement on high-profile inmates. The episode also highlights the emotional fallout for victims' families and the chilling societal fascination with betrayal in murder cases, painting a stark picture of justice and its complexities.
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Life Sentences And Non-Parole Period
- The judge handed down three life sentences plus 25 years and fixed a 33-year non-parole period.
- The court found the offending fell into the worst category and warranted maximum penalties.
Aggravating Factors Shaped Sentence
- The Crown sought life without parole while the defence suggested a 30-year non-parole period.
- The judge emphasised aggravating factors like breach of trust and trauma to victims' families in choosing the sentence.
Isolation And Its Sentencing Impact
- Erin Patterson has spent about 15 months in isolation and is likely to remain segregated for safety reasons.
- The judge factored the harsher incarceration burden into sentencing and parole considerations.