Erin Patterson, the accused in a high-profile poisoning case, has been described as genuinely ill following a lunch that allegedly resulted in the deaths of three guests. Her barrister, Colin Mandy SC, presented this argument to the jury at the Victorian Supreme Court, asserting that Patterson’s actions in the days following the lunch contradict claims that she was faking her illness. Mandy pointed out that if Patterson were indeed pretending, she would have opted for immediate medical care instead of driving her son for hours the day after serving the suspect meal.
The defence contends that Patterson sought medical help two days post-lunch only after initially resisting a doctor’s advice upon presenting to hospital. Mandy highlighted Patterson’s blood test results, indicating low potassium and other concerning metrics, suggesting stress from an illness similar to that experienced by her deceased guests. He dismissed the prosecution’s claims that these results stemmed from psychological stress, insisting that the evidence pointed to actual physical illness.
Patterson stands accused of deliberately poisoning her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail’s sister, Heather, and her partner, Ian Wilkinson. While the three fatalities followed their meal of beef Wellington on July 29, 2023, Ian survived the ordeal. Mandy argued that Patterson too was unwell, although not as severely affected.
Mandy also contested prosecution assertions regarding phone tower data, which purportedly showed Patterson’s phone connected to a base station consistent with her being on the Bass Highway after leaving the hospital. He argued that the connection duration was minimal, indicating she likely stayed close to home. Additionally, he claimed Patterson’s phone issues were legitimate and not a fabrication, denying allegations she had hidden a “dummy phone.”
Throughout his closing arguments, Mandy reminded the jury that Patterson’s subsequent actions shouldn’t be interpreted as guilt. He urged them to consider the panic she experienced upon realising her actions may have harmed her loved ones. The defence is focused on demonstrating Patterson’s innocence against the charges of three counts of murder and an attempt at murder, positing her apparent ill-health as a critical factor in her defence.