Erin Patterson’s trial for the murder of her in-laws and the attempted murder of a local pastor captivated audiences, so much so that several court spectators were escorted out for attempting to take selfies with the convicted murderer in the background. The 50-year-old was found guilty of killing 70-year-olds Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, aged 66, during a notorious beef Wellington dinner in July 2023.
The trial garnered widespread attention across Australia and internationally, with reports making headlines as far as the UK and the US. Once the jury completed its deliberations, it was disclosed that public intrigue had escalated to the point where courtroom attendees were admonished for attempting to photograph Patterson. According to 9News court reporter Amber Johnston, some individuals sought to capture selfies while Patterson stood in the dock, prompting intervention from Detective Stephen Eppingstall, who threatened them with contempt of court charges and even confiscated their phones to delete the images.
Such scenes are rather unusual in court settings, as highlighted by Johnston’s comments. Patterson maintained her innocence throughout the trial, pleading not guilty to all charges. With her conviction, she now faces a potential life sentence for her actions and will return for a pre-sentence hearing later this year.