Jury empanelled for triple murder trial of accused mushroom cook

The people who will decide the fate of alleged poisonous mushroom cook Erin Patterson have been chosen for her trial.

Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one of attempted murder, and has always maintained her innocence.

Her Supreme Court trial is to be held in the town of Morwell, about 150km south-east of Melbourne.

The trial has attracted significant national and international media interest, with dozens of journalists, documentary-makers, true crime writers and podcasters flooding the small town.

Patterson is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson.

They all became sick and died in hospital days after consuming a meal at Patterson’s Leongatha home in July 2023.

Wilkinson’s husband Ian, for whom Patterson is charged with attempted murder, also became ill after the lunch but survived the ordeal.

Fifteen jurors from the Gippsland region were selected for the trial at Latrobe Valley court precinct today.

Justice Christopher Beale is expected to read the jury details of the charges and any directions they must keep in mind throughout the trial at 3pm.

The prosecution, led by Nanette Rogers SC, will deliver their opening address to the jury tomorrow morning.

Patterson’s barrister Colin Mandy SC will then deliver the defence’s reply, before the first witness is expected to be called on Thursday.

Due to the high level of interest, only six seats inside the court room will be allocated to media each day of the trial with the rest given to members of the public.

The trial is expected to run for five to six weeks.