A church pastor and the only survivor of a deadly mushroom-laced lunch in Victoria has offered prayer and forgiveness to Erin Patterson ahead of her sentencing for the murders of three relatives in 2023.
Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty, but a jury found her guilty of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, as well as attempting to kill Mr Wilkinson.
Speaking in court, Rev Ian Wilkinson said: “I encourage Erin to receive my offer of forgiveness for those harms done to me. 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.”
The court heard Patterson is being held in isolation at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre for her safety, with access to personal items including books, a computer, and crochet materials.
Crown prosecutors described her crimes as “worst-category offending” and argued for a life sentence without parole, highlighting the “slow and painful death” her victims endured.
Patterson’s barrister acknowledged that a life sentence is inevitable but asked the judge to consider parole in the distant future.
Justice Christopher Beale is expected to hand down the sentence on 8th September, as reported by the BBC.
Mr Wilkinson continues to experience health complications following the poisoning, while Simon Patterson, estranged husband of Erin, expressed the grief his children now face: “Almost everyone knows their mother murdered their grandparents. My children must now live with the grim reality of a broken family.”