The sentencing of Erin Patterson, convicted of three murders, will be broadcast live on September 8, 2023, marking a historic moment for the Victorian Supreme Court. For the first time, a television camera will be present in the courtroom as Justice Christopher Beale delivers the sentence, following Patterson’s conviction for the murders of her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Heather Wilkinson.
Typically, Australian law prohibits the recording of court proceedings. However, Justice Beale granted special permission for this sentencing to be publicly televised, responding to the considerable public interest surrounding the case. The broadcast will feature only the judge, not Patterson or anyone else present in the courtroom. Media outlets will not be allowed to run advertisements during the coverage, which is expected to last between 30 minutes and one hour.
The decision to allow live broadcasting reflects the significant media and public appetite for information about this long-running trial. Throughout Patterson’s 10-week trial, the courtroom was often filled to capacity, with many people queuing outside the Latrobe Valley courthouse to secure a seat. The case has sparked a variety of media responses, including books, podcasts, and documentaries. Notably, the streaming platform Stan is set to launch a documentary series titled Death Cap Murders, featuring journalists Marta Pascual Juanola and John Silvester, later this month.
During the trial, Patterson was found guilty of murdering her in-laws and attempting to kill Ian Wilkinson by serving them beef Wellingtons that were laced with poisonous mushrooms. Prosecutors have requested that she receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole. In contrast, her defense lawyers have argued that, due to her notoriety, Patterson should be given the opportunity for eventual release.
The intense media scrutiny has also affected Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson. In his witness impact statement delivered during Patterson’s plea hearing, he expressed concerns over the invasion of privacy faced by his family, detailing how they have often felt watched and filmed by strangers in public.
As Patterson awaits her sentencing, she retains the right to appeal her conviction and sentence until midnight on October 6. This unprecedented level of access to court proceedings highlights the shifting landscape of media coverage in high-profile criminal cases.
For live coverage of the sentencing, readers can follow updates on The Age website on September 8.
