Erin Patterson, a 50-year-old mother, is undergoing her fifth day of scrutiny in the witness box during her trial for the alleged murders of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. The trial is taking place before a Supreme Court jury in regional Victoria, and Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder related to a lunch incident on July 29, 2023, where she reportedly served beef Wellingtons containing toxic death cap mushrooms.
During proceedings, Patterson candidly acknowledged having lied to police, admitting to fabricating claims about not owning a dehydrator or ever foraging for wild mushrooms. In a moment of reflection, she described her reaction to the tragic news that two of her lunch guests had died, stating, “I was just scared, but I shouldn’t have done it,” evolving her deceptions from a fear of responsibility.
The prosecution has focused on Patterson’s false statements, suggesting that her deceit was deliberate and designed to shield her from potential culpability. She confessed, “I agree that I lied because I was afraid I would be held responsible,” and recounted how she misled Gail and Don Patterson by falsely claiming to have a health issue that required hospitalisation to maintain their concern and support.
The prosecutor confronted Patterson with the suggestion that she had manipulated her guests into attending the fatal lunch under the pretense of a cancer diagnosis. In response to these accusations, Patterson firmly denied any such intent, asserting, “That’s not true.”
As the trial progresses, Patterson is set to face further cross-examination, with the case continuing to unravel over the next days. The courtroom drama unfolds as key details from her testimony and the prosecution’s allegations reveal a complex narrative surrounding the tragic events.