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Erin Patterson Files Seven-Ground Appeal Challenging Mushroom Murder Convictions

The Court of Appeal has received the bid, with leave still to be determined.

Overview

  • The application cites a "fundamental irregularity" during jury sequestration, with reports that jurors stayed in the same hotel as police and prosecutors and that key CCTV from the period was later erased.
  • Patterson argues that cell-tower location data, iNaturalist posts about death cap sightings near Loch and Outtrim, and testimony and messages from Facebook acquaintances were irrelevant or unfairly prejudicial.
  • She alleges a substantial miscarriage of justice from "unfair and oppressive" cross-examination and says the prosecutor’s closing improperly implied a motive after opening the case on the basis that none would be proved.
  • The filing contends the judge erred by excluding photos and videos on her devices that the defense says supported her account of mushroom foraging.
  • The appeals registry has accepted the paperwork but leave and any hearing date are pending, while a separate DPP challenge seeks a harsher sentence than the 33-year non-parole period.