Four guilty verdicts and the killer didn’t even flinch

There was no emotion from triple murderer Erin Patterson when four guilty verdicts were handed down – not even a flinch.

It was her defence team who seemed more defeated, leaning back in their chairs as the jury foreperson read out their client’s fate: “guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty” in quick succession in less than a minute.

Colin Mandy, SC, rested his chin on his hand, while lawyer Bill Doogue stared right ahead.

Prosecutor Jane Warren sat with her team, pleased by a hard-fought result over 11 weeks and more than 50 witnesses in the Supreme Court at Morwell.

Dressed in a paisley coloured top and black slacks, Patterson had whispered moments earlier to her friend and power of attorney, “See you later.”

But she wouldn’t. Instead, the 50-year-old mother of two was ushered from the courtroom into an underground tunnel leading to the police station next door where she has been holed up for the duration of her trial.

She then boarded a prison van to women’s prison, the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, where she can expect to remain for some time. She faces spending life behind bars.

In court, there was no sign of the Wilkinson or Patterson families, absent for the most important day of the trial despite previously having been there through weeks of evidence.

Instead, dozens of anxious journalists and members of the public filed into courtroom 4 for the much-anticipated verdict.

Kelly Phelan’s eyes filled with tears as she reflected on the trial and the verdict, which came on day six of the jury deliberations.

The Traralgon resident attended nearly every day of the case. She said she felt sick the moment the verdicts dropped.

“Even though I wanted a guilty [verdict] … I feel sick. She has kids. Every kid deserves a mum,” Phelan said.

Angela Ely attended during the past five weeks. Outside court, she said she was shocked.

“Erin had no expression, no reaction at all,” Ely said. “There are no winners. The kids, it’s so sad.”

Debbie Oldham of Traralgon said the result would have shocked her either way. She said in the beginning she had thought Patterson was guilty but was impressed with the defence response.

“Their closing arguments, they were impressive and persuasive, got me from thinking guilty to sitting on the fence.”

After the verdict, Detective Inspector Dean Thomas, head of the homicide squad, made an unplanned statement to the more than 100 media representatives waiting outside the court.

Speaking in front of lead detective Stephen Eppingstall, Thomas thanked the team, who had worked tirelessly on the case since days after the lunch in 2023.

He then asked the public to remember that this was a case that involved three people – Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson – who had lost their lives. Thomas said Ian Wilkinson, who almost died, was a victim, too.

“I think it’s very important that we remember that ... three people have died, and we’ve had a person that nearly died, and was seriously injured as a result,” Thomas said.

“I ask that we acknowledge those people, and not forget them.”

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.