Australian 'Mushroom Murderer' Erin Patterson Loses Appeal Bid Erin Patterson, convicted of murdering three of her in-laws with a meal of beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms in 2023, has lost her appeal bid to overturn her convictions. The Victorian Court of Appeal ruled that Patterson's sentence, which was previously deemed "manifestly inadequate" by the prosecution, will be upheld, effectively meaning she will spend the rest of her life in prison with no chance of parole. The court described the crime as "extraordinarily cold and calculated," highlighting the severity of Patterson's actions. The decision is a significant blow to Patterson, who now has 28 days to decide whether to take her case to the High Court of Australia. The appeal was heard in August, with Patterson's lawyer arguing that the trial was compromised due to the close proximity of the parties involved, including members of the prosecution, a key police witness, and journalists, who were sharing a hotel room. However, the court ultimately rejected this argument, upholding the original conviction and sentence. The decision is a welcome outcome for Patterson's in-laws, who were victims of the heinous crime. The ruling also brings closure to the case, which has been ongoing for several years.