Mushroom killer Erin Patterson’s sentence to be broadcast live in a Supreme Court first

2 weeks ago 3

Triple murderer Erin Patterson’s sentencing will be broadcast live on Monday in a historic first for the Victorian Supreme Court.

A television camera will be stationed inside the courtroom as Justice Christopher Beale sentences Patterson for the murders of Heather Wilkinson and Don and Gail Patterson.

Erin Patterson arrives at court for her plea last month.

Under normal circumstances, it is illegal to take photos or record video or audio of court proceedings, including for media outlets.

But Beale gave express permission for the media to publicly broadcast the sentencing for the first time in the court’s history. The Supreme Court regularly live-streams trials from its own in-court cameras.

The media broadcast will capture only Beale, not Patterson nor any other attendees. Media outlets are not permitted to advertise while broadcasting the sentencing, which is expected to last for 30 minutes to an hour.

This unprecedented access is the latest recognition of the immense public and media appetite for information on the long-running triple murder trial.

Don Patterson, Gail Patterson, Heather Wilkinson and Ian Wilkinson.

Prosecutors have called for Patterson to be jailed for life without parole. Her defence lawyers argued the mother of two should be given the chance of release because her time in custody would be onerous due to her notoriety.

In July, a jury found Patterson guilty of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, by serving them beef Wellingtons laced with poisonous mushrooms.

During Patterson’s 10-week trial, members of the public would often queue in the cold outside the regional Latrobe Valley courthouse to secure a seat inside and watch.

The case has also spawned a series of books, podcasts and documentaries.

Streaming platform Stan will debut the first documentary series, Death Cap Murders, later this month, featuring Age journalists Marta Pascual Juanola and John Silvester. Stan and this masthead are owned by Nine Entertainment.

Simon Patterson has denounced the intense media scrutiny of the case.

An array of books is also in the pipeline, including The Mushroom Tapes by acclaimed authors Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein. The ABC is creating a drama series, Toxic, based on the trial.

The intense media coverage and public interest has taken a toll on Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon.

In delivering his witness impact statement during Patterson’s plea hearing, Simon said it had resulted in a significant invasion of his family’s privacy.

He recounted the constant fear of being watched, with strangers filming his family in the street and creating a “new strain on our lives”.

Patterson will be sentenced on Monday, September 8.

She will be able to appeal against her conviction and sentence until midnight on October 6.

Follow our live coverage of the Patterson sentencing on The Age website on Monday.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.