“蘑菇杀手”艾琳·帕特森（Erin Patterson）向维多利亚州上诉法院提出的定罪上诉已被驳回，其原本被判处的三项谋杀罪及一项谋杀未遂罪判决维持不变 1。在一审中，法官克里斯托弗·比尔（Christopher Beale）曾判处帕特森终身监禁并设定33年的非假释期，这意味着她理论上可在2056年申请假释 1。然而，法院同时批准了检察院针对量刑过轻提起的上诉，最终取消了33年的非假释期限，改判帕特森终身监禁且不得假释，这是该州最严厉的刑罚形式 1。
上诉法院由斯蒂芬·麦克莱什（Stephen McLeish）、莱斯利·泰勒（Leslie Taylor）和彼得·基德（Peter Kidd）三位法官组成，他们驳回了被告的上诉并批准了检察院对量刑过轻的上诉 1。法官麦克莱什指出，帕特森的行为包含一系列精心策划的欺骗手段，例如谎称患癌、策划有毒午餐以及销毁证据，这构成了对亲属信任的残酷背叛 1。目前，帕特森仅剩的法律救济途径是在2024年11月27日之前向澳大利亚高等法院申请特别上诉许可 1。
Erin Patterson has lost her appeal against her murder convictions and received a harsher sentence from the Victorian Court of Appeal. 1 The court unanimously dismissed Patterson’s challenge to her guilty verdicts while granting the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) appeal regarding the original penalty being too lenient. 1
The three judges comprising the appellate panel were Stephen McLeish, Leslie Taylor, and Peter Kidd. 1 In its ruling, the court removed the 33-year non-parole period initially set by trial judge Christopher Beale in 2025. 1 Patterson was instead sentenced to life imprisonment without any possibility of parole, which represents the most severe punishment available under Victoria’s legal framework. 1
Judge McLeish highlighted the calculated nature of Patterson's crimes, describing her actions as involving "a series of deliberate deceptions." 1 These deceptions included falsely claiming she had cancer, meticulously planning the fatal lunch, and attempting to destroy evidence. 1 The judge characterized these acts as a "cruel betrayal" of the trust held by her relatives, providing the justification for the enhanced sentencing. 1
With this decision, Patterson’s remaining legal avenue is limited. She may now apply for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia before November 27, 2024. 1
评论
还没有评论，欢迎留下第一条。