Erin Patterson seeks to overturn death-cap lunch murder convictions
Erin Patterson is appealing three murder convictions in Australia related to a lunch that allegedly involved death-cap mushrooms, in a bid to overturn the verdicts.
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Murder Convictions
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Mushroom poisoning case: Patterson fights murder convictions at appeal
Australian Erin Patterson appealed her three murder convictions and one attempted murder conviction for allegedly poisoning four relatives with death-cap mushrooms at a July 2023 lunch. The Victoria state Court of Appeal is hearing the two-day case as prosecutors push for a life sentence without parole; the defense argues procedural flaws and unfair evidence. Grounds include sequestration issues, online-motive evidence, cross-examination fairness, and Facebook-related material. Patterson watched the proceedings by video from prison and did not attend in person. If the appeal succeeds, a retrial could be ordered; prosecutors had previously dropped charges relating to the husband before trial.
SC Supreme Court voids Murdaugh murder verdicts, retrial planned
South Carolina’s Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions and life sentence, ruling that a trial clerk improperly suggested he was guilty and attacked his credibility. Prosecutors say they will retry him on the murder charges, likely in 2026, while he remains in prison for unrelated financial crimes; the court also warned next time about limiting evidence related to the financial crimes.
SC Supreme Court orders new trial for Murdaugh after overturning murder convictions
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 murder convictions for the killings of his wife Maggie and son Paul, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk Becky Hill’s improper external influences on jurors, and remanded for a new trial in a 5-0 decision. Murdaugh remains serving life sentences for the murders and has faced related financial crimes; Hill later pled guilty to related charges. The ruling sets the stage for a fresh trial in a case that has drawn widespread public and media attention.
Lori Vallow Daybell Appeals Murder Convictions, Files Notice of Appeal
Lori Vallow Daybell, who is serving a life sentence for murdering her two children, has appealed her convictions to the Idaho Supreme Court. Her attorney intends to raise the issue of her mental competency during the trial. Vallow Daybell has also requested a state public defender as she claims she cannot afford an attorney. She was convicted in May of murdering her children and conspiring to kill her husband's first wife. Vallow Daybell's husband, Chad Daybell, is set to be tried separately in April.
Menendez Brothers Seek Overturn of Murder Convictions with New Evidence and Allegations.
The Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1996, are appealing to have their convictions vacated based on newly surfaced evidence that corroborates their allegations of long-term sexual abuse by their father. The evidence includes a letter written by Erik Menendez to his cousin in 1989 and recent allegations by a former member of the boy band Menudo that he was also sexually abused by Jose Menendez. The brothers' attorneys argue that the new evidence warrants a reopening of the case and establishes "a prima facie case for relief."