Nine court reporter Penelope Liersch revealed how Erin Patterson reacted to the guilty verdict.
Share and Follow

Erin Patterson’s eyes were “fixed” on the jury as they delivered their verdict today, finding her guilty on all charges in the mushroom murder trial.

9News court reporter Penelope Liersch was in the room as the verdicts were read and said Patterson initially reacted by staring “straight ahead”.

“She was blinking a lot. That continued to sort of build as we heard the first verdict, the second, the third, the fourth,” Liersch said on the live 9News coverage of the verdict.

Nine court reporter Penelope Liersch revealed how Erin Patterson reacted to the guilty verdict.
9News court reporter Penelope Liersch revealed how Erin Patterson reacted to the guilty verdicts. (Nine)

“And during those later verdicts, her eyes were really fixed on this 12-person jury who have decided her fate.

“She continued to watch them as they walked out of the room and then just stared straight ahead, blinking, looking at her the whole time.”

Patterson also looked towards members of the media after the verdicts were delivered, “really eyeballing” some individuals.

“I can’t say she was crying, but she was certainly blinking quite a lot,” Liersch said.

“She appeared to be breathing quite deeply and trying to sort of keep her emotions in check as this happened.”

Erin Patterson was found guilty on all charges. (Jason South)
Erin Patterson
No members of Patterson’s family were in the courtroom. (Martin Keep AFP)

News broke that the jury had reached a verdict around just before 1.45pm AEST.

Liersch said Patterson was brought into the courtroom “flanked by two security personnel” to hear the verdicts.

She said Patterson spoke with her defence team briefly, then spoke with a female friend who had been in attendance throughout the trial to support her.

”As that friend went to sit down, I saw the friend wiping away tears and Erin Patterson said to her, ‘See you soon,'” Liersch said.

“That’s obviously not what has happened with these particular verdicts being handed down.”

The jury delivered its verdicts just after 2.15pm.

Patterson was found guilty of the murder of her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister Heather, and the attempted murder of Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson.

The courtroom was packed with media and members of the public when the verdicts were delivered.

“There were about four homicide detectives in there, including lead informant [Detective Leading Senior Constable] Stephen Eppingstall, who we’ve heard from a lot throughout this trial,” Liersch said.

No members of the Patterson or Wilkinson family were in court.

“There was that female friend, the supporter of Erin Patterson, but we did not see any other family members there,” Liersch added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

80+ People Killed in Texas Flash Floods, Many Still Missing

Key Points Over 80 people are confirmed dead after flash floods swept…

Synagogue arson called ‘an attack on Australia’ by Burke as Israel’s PM calls for action

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says he is “glad” police quickly made…
Farmer may have to spend last days away from home due to lack of local care

Farmer might need to stay elsewhere in his final days because of limited local support

A farmer from South Australia’s mid-north is facing the prospect of spending…

Central Bank Surprises Economists by Deciding on Interest Rates

While just about every major bank made a point of passing on…
Zachary Rolfe

Coroner determines that cop who shot Indigenous teenager had racist motives

WARNING: This story contains an image of an Aboriginal person who has…
Hope for more rate relief from RBA today

Anticipating additional interest rate cuts from RBA today

A significant interest rate cut is tipped for this afternoon when the…

Coroner says Kumanjayi Walker’s death could have been prevented, Rolfe tended to use excessive force.

Warning: this article contains distressing and violent content and the photo of…

Merlier emerges victorious in accident-riddled third stage of Tour de France, Philipsen exits due to injuries

Belgian cyclist Tim Merlier pipped Italian Jonathan Milan right at the line…