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Justice Christopher Beale said Patterson’s continued denial of her culpability only worsens the impact of her crimes.
Patterson had pleaded not guilty and had always maintained the deaths were a tragic accident.
She was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson.
‘Worst category of offending’, justice says
“Whether or not to fix a nonparole period is the main dispute which I have to determine.”
“When you unusually invited Simon, his parents, and aunt and uncle to a lunch without the children to discuss your non-existent medical issue, you did so with the intention of killing them all.”
‘Untold suffering’
“Not only did you cut short three lives and cause lasting damage to Ian Wilkinson’s health, thereby devastating extended Patterson and Wilkinson families, you inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents,” he said.
Patterson’s motive has not been determined by the court, with Beale saying he wouldn’t “speculate” on why she murdered the three victims and attempted to murder one more.
Victim speaks outside court
“They made a professional, efficient, and effective investigation into what happened at the lunch,” he said.
Wilkinson thanked people who have given prayers and messages of support to the impacted families and communities.
‘Unprecedented’ media coverage of the case
“There is a substantial chance that for your protection you will continue to be held in solitary confinement for years to come,” he said.
