Mushroom Murderer Appeals Sentence Just As Local Man Was Keen To Give Beef Wellington Another Whirl

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Like the rest of Australia, local Betoota man Craig Gorman (60) had waited an appropriate amount of time before he began thinking about revisiting his favourite pastry wrapped steak dish.

He was almost ready to give it another whirl. But no, this niche but loved Australian cuisine has once again been thrown into an never-ended PR disaster.

This comes as triple-murderer Erin Patterson appeals her convictions for poisoning four extended relatives with death cap mushrooms.

Three Victorian judges are hearing her appeal on the convictions on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder relating to a lunch of beef Wellington pastries she prepared at her rural home in Leongatha in July 2023.

The story quickly became a nationwide true crime phenomena - which has incidentally provided her with the grounds for appeal - considering that the entire nation was suddenly aware of this case, and therefore it's easy to argue the jury may have been influenced by media hysteria.

There is also the 'small town' aspect of this trial that has provided grounds for appeal - with jury members being sequestered in the same hotel as a police witness and members of the prosecution team.

Prosecutors are in turn appealing the leniency of her sentence, with some saying she should've had the book thrown at her for what is effectively serial killing.

All of this may be exciting for the true crime buffs around Australia - but it's very frustrating for Craig. Who cannot eat a beef wellington without thinking about dying a painful death.

"When will this story go away" groans Craig.