Alleged mushroom murderer denies covering tracks in sixth day giving evidence

ITV News

a day ago

Erin Patterson made a series of denials during her sixth day giving evidence in an Australian court where she stands accused of murdering her relatives with a poisoned beef wellington.
Patterson was being cross examined by prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC who accused her of lying about several events and at one point "making it up as [she] goes along."
Last week Patterson claimed to have a history of binge eating and purging, as she told the court she made herself vomit after the toxic lunch, as she felt full.
The prosecution accused her of lying about this to explain why she had not suffered the same ill-effects as her relatives.
'You did not tell a single medical person that you had vomited up after the lunch on the 29th of July?' Rogers asked.
'That is true, I didn't do that,' Patterson said.
"Because you're trying to account for why the others were seriously ill and you were not,' Rogers added.
Patterson's estranged husband's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, both died as well as Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson following a lunch at the accused's home in July 2023. Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, became ill but survived.
The prosecution claims Patterson used matching plates for her guests allegedly poisoned portions of beef wellington, and a different coloured plate for her own.
Patterson suggested evidence given to this effect was incorrect.
'I don't have five plates the same. So everyone would have had different plates. I don't have four plates the same either," Patterson said.
Rogers accused Patterson of eating an entire portion of beef wellington, in the knowledge hers had not been poisoned whilst lying to medics about eating a smaller piece to explain her lack of symptoms.
'Incorrect," Patterson said.
'Nobody remarked on how little you ate?
'I suggest no-one remarked because you didn't eat a small portion, you ate a whole portion,' said the prosecution.
Erin Patterson initially visited Leongatha Hospital on July 31, 2023.
When questioned about this visit she denied being told her life was in danger, as hospital staff tried to convince her to stay.
Rogers noted that medical staff gave evidence she was away from the hospital for an hour and 40 minutes. Phone records indicated she had driven along a major road southwest of Leongatha despite previously saying she went straight home before returning to the hospital.
Rogers put it to Patterson that she spent the hour and 40 minutes away from the hospital trying to figure out ways to cover her tracks.
'You are saying I spent an hour and 40 minutes thinking?' Questioned Patterson.
'I am sure I spent some time thinking, but it wasn't about how to cover my tracks,' she added.
Patterson was asked about evidence she gave last week in which she claimed she had a pre-surgery appointment at ENRICH clinic for gastric bypass surgery.
"The ENRICH clinic does not offer bypass surgery," Rogers said.
'Well I had an appointment with them, and that was what my appointment was for, so I am a bit puzzled," said Patterson.
'When you told the court you had an appointment for gastric bypass surgery, that was a lie.'
She denied this, saying it could have been for a different procedure and she had misremembered.
Ms Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her trial, now in its seventh week, continues.