By Kristian Silva, ABC
Erin Patterson. Photo: AFP / MARTIN KEEP
Prosecutors say mushroom murderer Erin Patterson should be jailed for life with no chance of parole, describing her crimes as being in the "worst category".
The 50-year-old, who served a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms, was brought into court for the first time since a jury found her guilty of poisoning four relatives at her house in 2023.
Crown prosecutor Jane Warren said Don and Gail Patterson, along with Heather Wilkinson, suffered a "slow and painful death", and that the killer had executed "the highest level of planning and preparation".
"It is properly described as worst-category offending," Ms Warren said.
"It is a crime that is so cruel and so horrific, that in our submission, the offender is not deserving of this court's mercy."
Patterson, 50, maintains her innocence, however her barrister Colin Mandy SC conceded a life sentence was the only appropriate sentence based on a jury ruling that she had murdered three people and tried to kill another.
However, he urged Justice Christopher Beale to grant Patterson parole, giving her the chance to one day walk free when she was in her 80s.
Justice Beale said he intended to sentence Patterson on 8 September in Melbourne.
Patterson's life in prison revealed
On Monday afternoon, the Supreme Court was told Patterson is being held in prison isolation and can only speak with one other inmate, who is a violent terrorist.
Corrections Victoria assistant commissioner Jennifer Hosking told the court fears for Patterson's safety meant she had been held inside the highly restricted Gordon Unit of the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre for about 400 days.
"She has normal cell provisions, things like a television and room for her personal items. I understand she's a keen crocheter and she has a lot of wool and crochet equipment in there," Ms Hosking said.
Patterson also had access to a computer, books, magazines, a hair straightener and a fan, Ms Hosking said.
Due to her notoriety, Patterson's movements were severely limited and the only prisoner she had permission to speak with was a convicted terrorist who had a history of attacking other inmates, the court heard.
"She has never spoken one word to that other prisoner," defence barrister Mr Mandy said.
Mr Mandy said his client had not been given proper access to the prison exercise yard and library and spends "between 22 and 24 hours alone in her cell per day".
Justice Beale called Patterson's offending "horrendous", but said he would give "weighty considerations" to her prison conditions when determining her sentence.
"Her notoriety is not going to diminish," he said.
Lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson offers 'forgiveness' to Patterson
Earlier on Monday, the only guest to survive the beef Wellington lunch graciously offered to forgive Patterson as he faced the convicted triple-murderer.
Ian Wilkinson extended the olive branch during an emotional victim impact statement read to a packed courtroom as the killer faced a pre-sentence hearing.
"I encourage Erin to receive my offer of forgiveness for those harms done to me," he said.
"I bear her no ill will.
"My prayer for her is she will use her time in jail wisely to become a better person.
"Now I am no longer Erin Patterson's victim and she has become the victim of my kindness."
Under the gaze of the packed courtroom, Patterson was escorted into the court dock by security guards.
About 20 members of the extended Patterson and Wilkinson families were in the room, along with dozens of journalists and members of the public.
Mr Wilkinson began his statement by paying tribute to his "beautiful wife" of 44 years.
Heather was compassionate, brave, witty and dedicated to helping others, he said.
"A very important member of our family is missing," he said.
"It's a truly horrible thought to live with that somebody could decide to take her life.
"I could go on. There is so much more that deserves to be said about Heather.
"It's some of the most distressing shortcomings of society that so much attention is showered on those who do evil, and so little on those who do good."
Momentarily, Mr Wilkinson stopped, wiping his eyes and drinking a glass of water.
Then he turned to Patterson's crime.
"I'm distressed that Erin has acted with callous and calculated disregard for my life and the lives of those I love," he said.
"What foolishness possesses a person to think that murder could be the solution to their problems?
"Erin has brought deep sorrow and grief to my life and the lives of many others."
Mr Wilkinson said he continued to suffer from kidney problems and low energy, two years on from the poisonings.
The church pastor said he had no power to forgive Patterson for her crimes against others, but he could do so in his own case.
"In regards to the murder of Heather, Gail and Don I am compelled to seek justice," he said.
Patterson, who wore a brown paisley top, black pants and black sandals, fought back tears as Mr Wilkinson read out his statement.
Mr Wilkinson's daughter, Ruth Dubois, next read a statement saying it was difficult to comprehend how Patterson could have planned the murders, and in the aftermath, showed little care for her victims and told "extraordinary lies".
Patterson's estranged husband Simon - the son of Don and Gail and nephew of Ian and Heather - was also invited to the fatal lunch in July 2023 but was a late withdrawal.
On Monday, a statement was read to the court on his behalf, during which he said he missed his parents and aunt "more than words can express".
He said his two children would now have to live with the grim reality of a broken family.
"Almost everyone knows their mother murdered their grandparents," he said.
Simon Patterson condemns 'deplorable conduct'
Simon Patterson, who did not directly address his wife, took aim at members of the media for "deplorable conduct" in the wake of the killings.
He said his family had been harassed at home and "ambushed by strangers with cameras".
Erin Patterson pleaded not guilty at her high-profile trial and said her lunch guests' illnesses were tragic accidents.
She admitted foraging for mushrooms but argued she did not know the ones that ended up in the meal were poisonous.
Patterson has not formally lodged an appeal, however her legal team has 28 days after the sentence to file the initial paperwork.
-ABC
