They queued in the cold as if waiting for Grand Final tickets. Instead, it was a murder trial
The court where this high-profile trial is being heard is smaller than you'd get in the Supreme Court in Melbourne, with only three rows of seats for the public, media representatives and family.
Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers strode into court early and alone on Tuesday, pulling a suitcase behind her. Patterson's legal team, led by barristers Colin Mandy, SC, and Sophie Stafford, worked their way through the media throng not long after.
Patterson arrived in the courtroom at 10.31am dressed in a navy top with white spots, black pants and sandals.
Every seat in the court was full. An Indigenous artwork hangs from the wall above where the jury sits; a rare piece of colour in a room otherwise filled with folders of papers, laptops, books and notes.
Seated in the witness box for the second day of her evidence, Patterson faced 12 family and friends of the deceased, who watched on along with the sole survivor of the lunch, Ian Wilkinson. Wilkinson was supported by his adult children, and three of the police who had built a case against Patterson.
At times during her evidence Patterson became upset, when detailing her relationship with Don and Gail Patterson, and a medical episode involving her daughter.
She could be heard sniffing and speaking in a broken voice when she detailed her regret at telling friends online: 'This family I swear to f---ing God'.
Patterson told the jury: 'I needed to vent, I needed to get my frustration off my chest. But I regret the language that I used. I wish the family did not have to hear that I said that. They did not deserve it.'
At other times Patterson smiled at memories of her children and their 'nan and papa'.
She became visibly distressed speaking about her poor relationship with food and her private binge-eating habits, using a tissue to dab her watery eyes.
During a morning session of questions from her lawyer, Patterson repeatedly used her hands as she spoke, sitting facing her barrister and reaching for a pair of glasses to see items displayed on a computer screen in front of her.
The trial continues.
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