Overview

• Patterson appeared in the Victorian Supreme Court in Melbourne as the plea hearing began, her first in-person appearance since the July guilty verdict.
• Ian Wilkinson told the court he feels “half alive” after his wife’s death and offered Patterson personal forgiveness while urging her to confess.
• The court received 28 victim impact statements, seven of which were read publicly, including a statement from Simon Patterson describing the impact on their children and the strain of media attention.
• Prosecutors and defence are making submissions to inform Justice Christopher Beale’s sentence, which could include life imprisonment, with a sentencing date yet to be set.
• The proceedings follow Patterson’s convictions for murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson and attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson at a 2023 lunch in Leongatha.