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The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Factbox-Key facts in Australia's mushroom murder trial
(Reuters) -The jury in the trial of an Australian woman accused of a triple murder with a meal she allegedly laced with toxic mushrooms is expected to begin considering its verdict this week, in a case that has gripped the country. Here are the key facts and main arguments in the case. KEY FACTS Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with the murders of her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband. All were relatives of her estranged husband Simon Patterson, who declined the invitation for the July 29, 2023 lunch. The four gathered at Erin Patterson's home in Leongatha, a town of about 6,000 people some 135 km (84 miles) southeast of Melbourne where the mother of two served them individual Beef Wellingtons accompanied by mashed potato and green beans. The wellingtons were later found to contain death caps, among the world's deadliest mushrooms. Within hours, the four fell seriously ill and were admitted to hospital. Ian Wilkinson, who spent weeks in an induced coma, was the only survivor. Erin Patterson was arrested in November 2023 and has been in custody ever since. THE TRIAL The trial began on April 29 in Morwell, a former coal mining town about two hours east of Melbourne. Overseen by Justice Christopher Beale, it has generated huge interest in Australia and internationally, with the six seats in the court reserved for media allocated in a daily ballot. Members of the public have also queued each morning to be able to watch proceedings from the gallery. Public broadcaster ABC's daily podcast on the trial is the country's most popular, while streaming service Stan has commissioned a documentary on what it says is "one of the highest profile criminal cases in recent history". The charges carry a life sentence. PROSECUTION The prosecution, lead by Nanette Rogers, spent a month laying out its case against Erin Patterson. Rogers told the court that the accused had foraged for the death caps, dried them and measured out a "fatal dose" on her kitchen scales before adding them to her guests' Beef Wellingtons, ensuring her own food was untainted. It was all part of a "sinister deception", Rogers argued, saying Patterson had lied to police when asked whether she had ever foraged for mushrooms or owned a food dehydrator, which was later found in a landfill site and contained traces of death caps. Dozens of witnesses, including relatives and forensic, medical and mushroom experts, gave evidence for the prosecution. Among them was Simon Patterson, who told of the couple's strained relationship in the months before the fatal lunch. Ian Wilkinson also gave evidence, telling the court the accused had served her own meal on a different coloured plate. DEFENCE Erin Patterson's defence, led by barrister Colin Mandy, did not dispute there were death caps in the meal or that she had lied to police about key details such as foraging for mushrooms. But Mandy told the court the deaths were a "terrible accident" and that while the accused might have had "spats and disagreements and frustrations" in her relationship with her estranged husband she had no reason to kill her lunch guests. Erin Patterson gave evidence in her own defence and spent eight days in the witness box including five days of cross-examination by Rogers. She was the only witness for the defence. JURY Fifteen jurors were initially selected for the trial and 12 will be chosen by ballot to take part in the final deliberations. Justice Beale has repeatedly instructed the jury not to conduct their own research on the case, or to discuss it outside the jury room. One juror was dismissed last month for allegedly discussing the case with family and friends. Jurors in Australia are not responsible for sentencing and are not allowed to speak publicly after the trial. Juries in murder trials in Victoria, the state where the case is being held, must return a unanimous verdict. If the jury cannot reach a verdict within a reasonable time frame, the judge can order the trial to be held again. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Perth Now
03-05-2025
- Perth Now
The Aussie town the world is watching
It is the criminal case that has captivated Australian and international audiences, drawing media from across the globe to a regional town in the country's southeast. With a population of about 15,000, Morwell serves as the administrative zone for the Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland region. But Morwell has been drawn into the global spotlight due to the alleged actions of Erin Patterson at her home in Leongatha – a dairy town about 45 minutes away at the foot of the Strzelecki Ranges. Erin Patterson is accused of poisoning four in-laws. Brooke Grebert-Craig. Credit: Supplied Before Ms Patterson's triple-murder trial came to town, the 161-year-old town was known for its proximity to stunning natural attractions, long history of coal mining and as the heartland of Victoria's energy market. But this week, dozens of journalists, camera crews, podcasters and true-crime fanatics booked out hotels and short-stays across the town as a jury was tasked with reaching a verdict on one family's tragedy. Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died from multiple organ failure induced by death cap mushroom poisoning after attending a lunch at Erin Patterson's home on July 29, 2023. Heather's husband, Korumburra Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson, also fell gravely ill but survived after spending about a month and a half in hospital. Don and Gail Patterson died within a day of each other. Supplied Credit: Supplied Pastor Ian Wilkinson survived while his wife Heather Wilkinson died. Supplied. Credit: Supplied Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson invited her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, his parents, Don and Gail, and his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian, to the lunch with the 'pretense' of a cancer diagnosis. 'It is the prosecution case that the accused used the false claim that she had serious medical issues to ensure and to explain why the children would not be present at the lunch on July 29,' crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC said. Her husband pulled out the day before, but his four relatives attended and were served individual portioned Beef Wellington, mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy. It's alleged Ms Patterson deliberately poisoned the Beef Wellingtons with deadly death cap mushrooms with 'murderous intent'. On the other hand, Ms Patterson is arguing that what happened was a tragedy, and that she did not deliberately or intentionally poison the people she loved. 'The defence case is that Erin Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests at that lunch,' her barrister Colin Mandy SC said. 'The defence case is that what happened was a tragedy, a terrible accident.' Simon Patterson and Jessica O Donnell leave court. NewsWire/Ian Currie Credit: News Corp Australia To this end, she has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. As the trial got underway this week, the large presence of media has become a familiar sight around the Latrobe Valley court precinct. Eateries in the area have reported a bump in traffic and local residents have often been spotted watching the media circus as live updates are pushed out on news bulletins and websites. The Latrobe Valley courthouse is a modern building, built in 2006 with five courtrooms to cater to the regional area and usually serves solely the Magistrates' Court jurisdiction. Much of the top floor of the courthouse has been dedicated to the trial, with rooms reserved for legal teams and media overflow. Court 4, where Ms Patterson's trial is being held, sports a modern design, with tan wooden and off-white fabric panelling. Media outside the Latrobe Valley courthouse. NewsWire/ Liam Beatty Credit: News Corp Australia Justice Christopher Beale, the trial judge, sits at a raised bench at the front of the room under the Victorian coat of arms which bears the state's motto; 'Peace and Prosperity'. At the rear of the court, Ms Patterson sits flanked by two guards in grey uniforms – for much of the trial she has watched on intently, but, on Wednesday, as crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers delivered her opening address, the accused woman could be seen crying. Around a large wooden bench in the centre sits the legal teams, often four on the prosecution side closest to the jury and four on the defence side closest to the witness box. There are around 40 seats in the public gallery, several have been reserved for family and friends and six have been assigned for members of the media. The courthouse in Morwell. NewsWire / Josie Hayden Credit: News Corp Australia Weekly, court staff are holding a ballot for the few assigned seats – each organisation will receive at least one day in the courtroom per week. Down the hall, an overflow room for journalists has been set up with a live feed of the courtroom for the dozens who do not have a seat. As 15 jurors were selected to hear the case from a pool of about 120 at the start of the week, the trial judge acknowledged many of them would already know some of the details. He urged anyone present that had already made judgments about Ms Patterson, or felt they could not bring an open mind, to ask to be excused. 'Being realistic, I expect that most of you, if not all of you, will have some prior information about this case because of the intense and prolonged media interest in it,' he said. 'This case is likely to continue to attract a high level of media attention. Indeed, the level of media attention is likely to escalate. 'The jurors selected should, as far as possible, ignore the ongoing media coverage.' Friends and Family of the deceased have attended court. NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui Credit: News Corp Australia Indeed this is why, when the trial comes to an end in a month-or-so's time, the 12 Victorians that will be asked to deliberate Ms Patterson's guilt or innocence will be sequestered. While deliberating, they will not be permitted to return home, instead they will be bussed to a hotel at an undisclosed location overnight to return to court the next morning. The trial, expected to run for six weeks, continues.
West Australian
03-05-2025
- West Australian
World's attention on Morwell, as Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial begins over mushroom poisonings
It is the criminal case that has captivated Australian and international audiences, drawing media from across the globe to a regional town in the country's southeast. With a population of about 15,000, Morwell serves as the administrative zone for the Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland region. But Morwell has been drawn into the global spotlight due to the alleged actions of Erin Patterson at her home in Leongatha – a dairy town about 45 minutes away at the foot of the Strzelecki Ranges. Before Ms Patterson's triple-murder trial came to town, the 161-year-old town was known for its proximity to stunning natural attractions, long history of coal mining and as the heartland of Victoria's energy market. But this week, dozens of journalists, camera crews, podcasters and true-crime fanatics booked out hotels and short-stays across the town as a jury was tasked with reaching a verdict on one family's tragedy. Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died from multiple organ failure induced by death cap mushroom poisoning after attending a lunch at Erin Patterson's home on July 29, 2023. Heather's husband, Korumburra Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson, also fell gravely ill but survived after spending about a month and a half in hospital. Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson invited her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, his parents, Don and Gail, and his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian, to the lunch with the 'pretense' of a cancer diagnosis. 'It is the prosecution case that the accused used the false claim that she had serious medical issues to ensure and to explain why the children would not be present at the lunch on July 29,' crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC said. Her husband pulled out the day before, but his four relatives attended and were served individual portioned Beef Wellington, mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy. It's alleged Ms Patterson deliberately poisoned the Beef Wellingtons with deadly death cap mushrooms with 'murderous intent'. On the other hand, Ms Patterson is arguing that what happened was a tragedy, and that she did not deliberately or intentionally poison the people she loved. 'The defence case is that Erin Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests at that lunch,' her barrister Colin Mandy SC said. 'The defence case is that what happened was a tragedy, a terrible accident.' To this end, she has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. As the trial got underway this week, the large presence of media has become a familiar sight around the Latrobe Valley court precinct. Eateries in the area have reported a bump in traffic and local residents have often been spotted watching the media circus as live updates are pushed out on news bulletins and websites. The Latrobe Valley courthouse is a modern building, built in 2006 with five courtrooms to cater to the regional area and usually serves solely the Magistrates' Court jurisdiction. Much of the top floor of the courthouse has been dedicated to the trial, with rooms reserved for legal teams and media overflow. Court 4, where Ms Patterson's trial is being held, sports a modern design, with tan wooden and off-white fabric panelling. Justice Christopher Beale, the trial judge, sits at a raised bench at the front of the room under the Victorian coat of arms which bears the state's motto; 'Peace and Prosperity'. At the rear of the court, Ms Patterson sits flanked by two guards in grey uniforms – for much of the trial she has watched on intently, but, on Wednesday, as crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers delivered her opening address, the accused woman could be seen crying. Around a large wooden bench in the centre sits the legal teams, often four on the prosecution side closest to the jury and four on the defence side closest to the witness box. There are around 40 seats in the public gallery, several have been reserved for family and friends and six have been assigned for members of the media. Weekly, court staff are holding a ballot for the few assigned seats – each organisation will receive at least one day in the courtroom per week. Down the hall, an overflow room for journalists has been set up with a live feed of the courtroom for the dozens who do not have a seat. As 15 jurors were selected to hear the case from a pool of about 120 at the start of the week, the trial judge acknowledged many of them would already know some of the details. He urged anyone present that had already made judgments about Ms Patterson, or felt they could not bring an open mind, to ask to be excused. 'Being realistic, I expect that most of you, if not all of you, will have some prior information about this case because of the intense and prolonged media interest in it,' he said. 'This case is likely to continue to attract a high level of media attention. Indeed, the level of media attention is likely to escalate. 'The jurors selected should, as far as possible, ignore the ongoing media coverage.' Indeed this is why, when the trial comes to an end in a month-or-so's time, the 12 Victorians that will be asked to deliberate Ms Patterson's guilt or innocence will be sequestered. While deliberating, they will not be permitted to return home, instead they will be bussed to a hotel at an undisclosed location overnight to return to court the next morning. The trial, expected to run for six weeks, continues.
News.com.au
03-05-2025
- News.com.au
World's attention on Morwell, as Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial begins over mushroom poisonings
It is the criminal case that has captivated Australian and international audiences, drawing media from across the globe to a regional town in the country's southeast. With a population of about 15,000, Morwell serves as the administrative zone for the Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland region. But Morwell has been drawn into the global spotlight due to the alleged actions of Erin Patterson at her home in Leongatha – a dairy town about 45 minutes away at the foot of the Strzelecki Ranges. Before Ms Patterson's triple-murder trial came to town, the 161-year-old town was known for its proximity to stunning natural attractions, long history of coal mining and as the heartland of Victoria's energy market. But this week, dozens of journalists, camera crews, podcasters and true-crime fanatics booked out hotels and short-stays across the town as a jury was tasked with reaching a verdict on one family's tragedy. Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died from multiple organ failure induced by death cap mushroom poisoning after attending a lunch at Erin Patterson's home on July 29, 2023. Heather's husband, Korumburra Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson, also fell gravely ill but survived after spending about a month and a half in hospital. Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson invited her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, his parents, Don and Gail, and his aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian, to the lunch with the 'pretense' of a cancer diagnosis. 'It is the prosecution case that the accused used the false claim that she had serious medical issues to ensure and to explain why the children would not be present at the lunch on July 29,' crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC said. Her husband pulled out the day before, but his four relatives attended and were served individual portioned Beef Wellington, mashed potatoes, green beans and gravy. It's alleged Ms Patterson deliberately poisoned the Beef Wellingtons with deadly death cap mushrooms with 'murderous intent'. On the other hand, Ms Patterson is arguing that what happened was a tragedy, and that she did not deliberately or intentionally poison the people she loved. 'The defence case is that Erin Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests at that lunch,' her barrister Colin Mandy SC said. 'The defence case is that what happened was a tragedy, a terrible accident.' To this end, she has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. As the trial got underway this week, the large presence of media has become a familiar sight around the Latrobe Valley court precinct. Eateries in the area have reported a bump in traffic and local residents have often been spotted watching the media circus as live updates are pushed out on news bulletins and websites. The Latrobe Valley courthouse is a modern building, built in 2006 with five courtrooms to cater to the regional area and usually serves solely the Magistrates' Court jurisdiction. Much of the top floor of the courthouse has been dedicated to the trial, with rooms reserved for legal teams and media overflow. Court 4, where Ms Patterson's trial is being held, sports a modern design, with tan wooden and off-white fabric panelling. Justice Christopher Beale, the trial judge, sits at a raised bench at the front of the room under the Victorian coat of arms which bears the state's motto; 'Peace and Prosperity'. At the rear of the court, Ms Patterson sits flanked by two guards in grey uniforms – for much of the trial she has watched on intently, but, on Wednesday, as crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers delivered her opening address, the accused woman could be seen crying. Around a large wooden bench in the centre sits the legal teams, often four on the prosecution side closest to the jury and four on the defence side closest to the witness box. There are around 40 seats in the public gallery, several have been reserved for family and friends and six have been assigned for members of the media. Weekly, court staff are holding a ballot for the few assigned seats – each organisation will receive at least one day in the courtroom per week. Down the hall, an overflow room for journalists has been set up with a live feed of the courtroom for the dozens who do not have a seat. As 15 jurors were selected to hear the case from a pool of about 120 at the start of the week, the trial judge acknowledged many of them would already know some of the details. He urged anyone present that had already made judgments about Ms Patterson, or felt they could not bring an open mind, to ask to be excused. 'Being realistic, I expect that most of you, if not all of you, will have some prior information about this case because of the intense and prolonged media interest in it,' he said. 'This case is likely to continue to attract a high level of media attention. Indeed, the level of media attention is likely to escalate. 'The jurors selected should, as far as possible, ignore the ongoing media coverage.' Indeed this is why, when the trial comes to an end in a month-or-so's time, the 12 Victorians that will be asked to deliberate Ms Patterson's guilt or innocence will be sequestered. While deliberating, they will not be permitted to return home, instead they will be bussed to a hotel at an undisclosed location overnight to return to court the next morning. The trial, expected to run for six weeks, continues.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Daily Mail
New details emerge about what Erin Patterson did with the $2million she inherited at the time she allegedly served a poison mushroom lunch
Erin Patterson dished out hundreds of thousands of dollars in discounted home loans to the family of her estranged husband leading up to the deadly lunch that claimed the lives of three. The revelations came as Simon Patterson was cross examined by his ex-wife's barrister Colin Mandy SC at the Supreme Court of Victoria sitting in the Latrobe Valley. Patterson, 50, is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, with death cap mushrooms served in a pastry dish during a lunch at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023. Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only attendee to survive the lunch, with Patterson also charged with attempted murder over his alleged poisoning. It was the first time Simon had laid eyes on his wife in person since her arrest over the alleged murder of his parents and aunt. The court heard Patterson had effectively gifted near interest free loans to three of Simon's siblings to purchase homes in and around Melbourne. The money had come largely from the $2million in inheritances Patterson had received following the deaths of her mother and grandmother. The jury heard that Simon's brother Matt and wife Tanya received about $400,000 to build their house in Officer in Melbourne's south-east. His brother Nathan and wife Merryn also pocketed hundreds of thousands to buy a home while his sister Anna and husband Josh borrowed money for a home in Blackburn. 'And the terms of those loans were that there was no interest paid on them other than indexation to inflation?' Mr Mandy asked. 'That's right,' Simon responded. The court heard the loans came with the added bonus of being paid off when and how the recipients wanted. 'They were arranged so that there was no legal hold, I guess, to force them to pay the money back, but the arrangements were that - the intention was that they be paid back at the same kind of amounts that they'd be paying back a mortgage if it was a mortgage,' Simon said. When the couple split, the remaining loans split between them with Simon taking over collections from Anna while Erin took on Matt. Dressed in pink, Patterson showed no emotion as her estranged husband gave evidence throughout Thursday. The pair locked eyes briefly before Patterson began to give his evidence. Simon had been invited to the deadly lunch but pulled out the night before. The jury has already heard three attempted murder charges relating to him were withdrawn last week. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one of attempted murder. Simon outlined how he had been invited to the fateful lunch and the angry response he received from his estranged wife when he declined. 'I've spent many hours this week preparing lunch for tomorrow, which has been exhausting in light of the issues I'm facing and spent a small fortune on Beef eye Fillet to make Beef Wellingtons because I wanted it to be a special meal, as I may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time,' she texted Simon. 'It's important to me that you're all there tomorrow, and that I can have the conversations that I need to have. I hope you'll change your mind. Your parents, Heather and Ian, are coming at 12.30, and I hope you'll change your mind. Your parents, Heather and Ian, are coming at 12.30, and I hope to see you there.' Simon spent the early part of Thursday answering questions about his family and how he came to meet and then separate from his wife. He called his estranged wife 'witty and quite intelligent' before telling the court she had held a position as an air-traffic controller at Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine. He explained how Patterson had enjoyed educating herself, studying pet science, law and science. When asked if Patterson liked to invite people over to the family home, Simon said it was 'very rare'. Simon became emotional when asked about the breakdown of his relationship, asking for tissues and struggling to answer questions. 'It's good to be friends with the person you're married too ... it was really important to me that, sorry can I have some tissues please,' he said. Asked for a break, Simon resisted. 'Did you continue to care for her,' Dr Rogers asked. 'Yes,' he replied. Simon claimed while the couple remained friendly during separation, things changed when he made the decision to change his relationship status on his tax return. He had been dropping off the kids at Patterson's Leongatha home when she allegedly came out and asked to have a chat. The jury heard Patterson jumped in the passenger side of Simon's car. 'She discovered that my tax return for the previous year for the first time noted we were separated,' Simon told the court. Patterson told him the move would impact the family tax benefit the couple had previously enjoyed and she was obliged to now claim child support. 'She was upset about it,' Simon said. On July 16, during a church service, Patterson allegedly asked her in-laws over for lunch, the court heard previously. She also asked Simon to attend, despite the couple's relationship being on the decline. The court heard the purpose of the lunch was to discuss 'medical issues' and how 'to break it to the kids'. Those issues were Patterson's false claims that she had ovarian cancer. Patterson was insistent she did not want the kids to attend and Simon agreed to attend the lunch. The court heard each of Patterson's guests were initially confused about the invitation and wondered what the purpose was. Simon pulled out at last minute because he 'felt uncomfortable' - a move which allegedly annoyed his estranged wife. Patterson texted 'she was disappointed' as she'd put in a lot of effort for the 'special meal'. The court heard Patterson told Simon it was important everyone attended. In opening the prosecution case, Dr Nanette Rogers claimed that, while separated, Patterson and Simon had initially enjoyed a 'friendly relationship'. Despite separating in 2015, Simon had remained hopeful they would reunite someday, Dr Rogers said. The pair had communicated regularly via the Signal messaging app up until 2022 when Simon noticed a change. Dr Rogers told the jury Patterson expressed concern when Simon listed himself as separated on his tax return. She also wanted child support and the school fees paid. The court heard Patterson changed the children's school without consulting Simon. In closing her opening address on Wednesday, Dr Rogers told the jury a motive was not necessary for members to convict Patterson and they would not be given one. 'Motive is not something that has to be proven by the prosecution,' Dr Rogers said. 'The prosecution will not be suggesting that there was a particular motive to do what she did.' Instead, Dr Rogers told the jury that by the end of the trial they would be convinced Patterson lured her victims to lunch with false claims she had cancer before deliberately serving them mini beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. She told the jury it could be convinced Patterson had not eaten any of the poisonous meal, pretended to be sick and never fed her children any of the leftovers containing the death cap mushrooms. Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy, SC suggested motive was an important factor in the case. 'Did she have a motive to kill these four family members?' he said. 'That issue of intention is the critical issue in this trial. 'Did she intend to kill these four people? That's the issue. 'We say she didn't do it deliberately ... the defence case is what happened was a tragedy. A terrible accident.' The trial continues.
