Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the murder trial of accused mushroom cook killer Erin Patterson at the Latrobe Valley justice precinct in Morwell.
Patterson is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson by feeding them a meal of beef Wellington that contained death cap mushrooms during a family lunch in 2023.
She is also accused of attempting to murder Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, who was present at the lunch but recovered after spending several weeks in the hospital.
Don Patterson (left), Gail Patterson, Heather Wilkinson and Ian Wilkinson were poisoned by a mushroom meal.
Patterson had previously faced attempted murder charges for repeatedly attempting to poison her former husband, Simon Patterson, in the months before the lunch, but they have been dropped by the prosecution.
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Today, prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers, SC, is expected to deliver her opening address, where she will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.
Patterson’s defence lawyer, Colin Mandy, SC, will then provide a response. Mandy is being supported by colleague Sophie Stafford.
Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The trial, which will be presided over by Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale, is expected to run for five to six weeks.
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