Erin Patterson murder trial LIVE: Lead detective returns to witness box in mushroom case
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10.53am
Why is Erin Patterson's trial being heard in Gippsland?
By Marta Pascual Juanola
Erin Patterson's murder trial is being heard in the Latrobe Valley justice precinct in Morwell, about 150 kilometres from Melbourne.
While some major criminal trials are heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Patterson is being tried in Morwell because that's the closest suitable courtroom to where the alleged crime was committed.
Australian criminal law recognises the rights of local communities to observe court proceedings related to crimes committed in their area, and the right of an accused person to be judged by their peers.
Morwell is about 60 kilometres from Leongatha, where the deadly lunch took place in 2023.
10.53am
Who is who in the family tragedy
By Marta Pascual Juanola
For those unfamiliar with the case, here is a family tree showing the relationship between Erin Patterson, her estranged husband and the family.
10.51am
By Marta Pascual Juanola
Victoria Police's Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall, will return to the witness box this morning to continue his evidence for a fifth day.
Eppingstall, the lead homicide detective and informant in the case, has been in the witness box since last Tuesday afternoon.
10.51am
Welcome to our live coverage
By Marta Pascual Juanola
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of day 24 of the murder trial of accused mushroom cook Erin Patterson at the Latrobe Valley law courts in Morwell.
My name is Marta Pascual Juanola, and together with my colleague Erin Pearson, we will bring you the latest information from courtroom 4.
Patterson is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, by serving them a lunch of beef Wellington containing death cap mushrooms at her home in Leongatha on July 29, 2023.
Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson died in hospitals in the days after the meal. Heather's husband Ian also fell ill after eating the meal but survived after weeks in hospital.
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