As Judge Christopher Beale delivered his sentencing to Erin Patterson, the woman the media has termed the ‘Mushroom Lady’, TV networks went live with coverage.
Patterson was given to three life sentences, for the murders of Don and Gail Patterson, and Heather Wilkinson. For the attempted murder of Don Wilkinson she was given a 25-year term.
The sentences will be served concurrently. Justice Beale also handed down a non-parole period of 33 years.
During the sentencing, Justice Beale said he had “no hesitation in finding Patterson’s offending falls into the worst category of murder and attempted murder.”
The judge also remarked on the numerous media coverage of her case, including documentaries, that Patterson is likely to “remain a notorious prisoner for many years to come” and remain at “serious risk” from other prisoners.
Who went live?
It was a clean sweep across all the networks, with Seven, Nine and Ten all going live with Justice Beale’s sentencing. Sky News Australia even had a ticker counting down to the sentencing.
Before handing down his decision, Justice Beale detailed evidence given in the case, including explicit-laden messages Patterson had sent to friends regarding her family.
“You said, quote, f**k it”
Suffice to say it really was something of a landmark event in more ways than one, such as having the F-Bomb dropped in full across all networks at 930am in the morning. Won’t someone please think of the line producers?
A courtroom sketch of Erin Patterson.
Despite not having a live news service even Stan got in on the action, choosing today to release the trailer for its upcoming documentary on Patterson, Revealed – Death Cap Murders. Smart.
Digital media
Even though the court focused its camera on Justice Beale, and Justice Beale alone, we were still given an insight into Patterson’s demeanour on the day, thanks to the plethora of live feeds.
The Sydney Morning Herald printed images of Patterson arriving at court, before detailing her attire: “a simple paisley shirt, black slacks and black sandals. Outside, she was wearing a light-brown jacket.”
Erin Patterson arrives for sentencing.
The Guardian’s Adeshola Ore took time with each update to detail Justice Beale’s most compelling statements from the sentencing allowing those without access to the live stream to follow along.
The BBC even went with a live stream of the sentencing, complimentary the live stream of their BBC World Service.
The BBC even had a live stream of the sentencing.