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The sentence of Erin Patterson has been handed down.

Justice Christopher Beale’s sentence of Erin Patterson was livestreamed and televised on Monday September 8.

Following a jury trial which ran from April to July this year, Ms Patterson was found guilty of murdering her parents-in-law Don and Gail Patterson and her aunt-in-law Heather Wilkinson. She was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson.
 
Justice Beale made the decision the allow the television camera to broadcast to increase understanding of the work of the court.

“Given the intense public interest in the case, the broadcast will provide an opportunity to inform the public of the reasons for sentence promptly and completely,” he said.
 
A livestream was also available.

The full sentencing remarks are available online.

Watch the sentencing.
 
To learn more about sentencing considerations and jury trials, listen to the Supreme Court podcast Gertie’s Law episodes Crime and Punishment and The Criminal Trial Process.

Published on 04 September 2025
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