politics
Erin Patterson argues mushroom murder convictions should be quashed due to ‘catastrophic’ failure of justice
Allowing jurors to stay in same hotel as police and prosecution denied Patterson a fair trial, lawyers tell Victorian court of appeal
TL;DR
- Erin Patterson's lawyers argue that jurors staying in the same hotel as police and prosecution during deliberations constitutes a "catastrophic" failure of the justice system.
- Patterson is appealing her convictions for the murders of her estranged husband's parents and aunt, and the attempted murder of her aunt's husband.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions is appealing Patterson's sentence, arguing it is "manifestly inadequate."
- Additional grounds for Patterson's appeal include the admissibility of cell tower evidence, mushroom-related photos, and alleged misstatements by the prosecutor in her closing address.