Erin Patterson trial: Jury set to hear crown’s case against alleged lunch poisoner
The triple murder trial of alleged death cap mushroom poisoner Erin Patterson will hear the crown’s case against her — and her response to the charges — when the jury resumes sitting on Wednesday.
Ms Patterson, 50, is facing trial in the Latrobe Valley Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Prosecutors will allege Simon Patterson’s, her estranged husband, parents and aunt fell ill and died after attending a lunch at Ms Patterson’s home on July 29, 2023.
Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, died in hospital in the weeks after the gathering.
Ms Wilkinson’s husband, Korumburra Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson, fell gravely ill but recovered.
Ten men and five women were empaneled to serve on the jury for the estimated six week trial on Tuesday.
They were told by trial judge Justice Christopher Beale that Ms Patterson denies that she deliberately poisoned anyone.
Crown prosecutor Nannette Rogers SC is expected to outline the crown’s case when the trial resumes at 10.30am in the country Victorian town of Morwell.
Ms Patterson’s barrister, Colin Mandy SC, will then deliver the defence response identifying any issues in dispute the jury will need to determine.
