Erin Patterson is on trial for allegedly murdering three of her husband’s relatives and the attempted murder of a fourth.
Erin Patterson is on trial for allegedly murdering three of her husband’s relatives and the attempted murder of a fourth.
Alleged mushroom poisoner Erin Patterson has chosen to take the stand and give evidence at her triple-murder trial.
Over the six weeks of hearings, Patterson has sat in the dock at the rear of the courtroom, flanked by two security officers as dozens of witnesses took the stand.
Located aboutseven metres in front of her – with three rows of public seating as a divider — she watched on as her husband, in-laws, friends, police and experts gave evidence.
About 3.15pm on Monday, her barrister, Colin Mandy, SC, rose to his feet when asked by Justice Christopher Beale what course of action the defence would take.
Over the following 45 minutes, Mandy took Patterson through the start of her relationship with Simon Patterson and her life leading up to July 2023.
At times Patterson became emotional, her voice faltering, as she talked about the “traumatic” birth of their son in early 2009.
Seated in the box, her attention was fixed on Mandy, occasionally using her hands to emphasise a point and closing her eyes as she thought about an answer.
Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty. Photo / Brooke Grebert-Craig
Patterson describes ‘spiritual experience’
Patterson told the jury she first met her husband when they both worked at the Monash City Council, herself as a RSPCA officer, in 2004 and they became friends, socialising and camping together.
The following year, she said, they became romantically involved.
She described herself at the time as a “fundamental atheist” and Simon as a Christian.
“I was trying to convert him to be an atheist but things happened in reverse,” she said.
Patterson told the jury she was invited to attend a Korumburra Baptist Church service in March or April 2005 where she had a “spiritual experience”.
“I remember being really excited about it because I’d never been to a church before,” she said.
“There was a banner up on the wall behind where Ian was preaching... It said ‘faith, hope and love’.
Prosecutors allege a beef Wellington lunch she served on July 29, 2023, was deliberately poisoned with death cap mushrooms, while her defence argues the case is a tragic accident.
Her husband Simon Patterson’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson died from organ failure in after falling ill following the meal Ms Patterson hosted at her Leongatha home in Victoria’s southeast.
Ms Wilkinson’s husband, long-serving Korumburra Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson, fell ill following the lunch but recovered after spending about a month and a half in hospital.
On Monday, jurors in the trial, which is now in its sixth week, continued to hear from leading detective Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall about the police probe into the fatal lunch.
Under examination from prosecutor Jane Warren, Eppingstall was asked to read a series of messages between Erin Patterson and Gail Patterson on July 16, 2023.
The pair initially discuss plans for Erin Patterson’s son to spend time with his grandparents, before the accused woman shifts to their lunch plans.
“Heather confirmed Saturday July 29 is good for them, hopefully it is for you too, love Erin,” Ms Patterson messaged.
Her mother-in-law responded at 2.11pm; “Sounds good to us, yes July 29 is good for us too.”
“Great thank you,” Patterson replies.
Detective quizzed on mushroom cook’s plates
Earlier, Eppingstall was taken to a series of still images from investigators as they executed a search warrant at Patterson’s home on August 5.
Across three photos of a kitchen drawer, the kitchen bench, and inside the dishwasher, defence barrister Colin Mandy counted out six plates — three with red and black colouring, two white plates and a multi-coloured one.
Eppingstall confirmed, “That’s what we found, yes sir”, when asked if this is all police located.
Earlier in the trial, Ian Wilkinson gave evidence the four lunch guests were served on grey dinner plates, while Patterson ate off a smaller plate with an orange, tan colour.
Ian Wilkinson attended court on Monday alongside members of the Patterson and Wilkinson family.
Alleged poisoner changed phones frequently: court
Under cross-examination from Mandy, Eppingstall was taken through a “flow chart” that tracked Patterson’s phones from 2019 to 2023.
The record indicates she changed between seven different phones, from LG, Nokia, Samsung and Oppo, nine times until August 2023.
The detective agreed the chart indicated the “reasonably frequent setting up” of phones.
Previously, the jury was told prosecutors allege a Samsung A23, dubbed Phone B in the trial, was factory reset three times before it was handed over to police on August 5 and once remotely the following day.
Mandy took Eppingstall to a section of the flow chart, that showed a factory reset on February 12 was followed by Patterson’s son’s SIM card being placed into the phone.
The barrister asked if this was “consistent” with the son taking over the use of that phone.
“Yes, sir,” Eppingstall responded.
Next, Mandy took the officer to phone records from a second Samsung A23 dubbed “Phone A” in the trial.
Prosecutors allege this was Patterson’s phone used in the period preceding and immediately after the lunch.
Last week, Eppingstall told the jury the phone had never been located by police.
