NEWCASTLE, Australia — The high-profile case of a woman accused of committing a triple murder by serving poisonous mushrooms to her former husband’s family has reached a critical juncture in an Australian court, as the defendant took the stand on Monday. As the trial approaches its end, Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with the deaths of her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, aged 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. Additionally, she faces charges for the attempted murder of Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, 68. These events occurred after they dined at Patterson’s residence in Victoria state in July of the same year.
If found guilty of the attempted murder charge, Patterson could face a sentence of up to 25 years, while the murder charges could lead to life imprisonment under Victoria’s legal provisions. Her lawyer, Colin Mandy, argued during the six-week proceedings in the Victorian state Supreme Court that the incident was an accident.
Monday marked Patterson’s first testimony as a defense witness since she pleaded not guilty to all charges in May of the previous year. During the fateful meal on July 29, 2023, in the small town of Leongatha, she served beef Wellington accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans. The following day, all four guests became severely ill due to poisoning from death cap mushrooms, scientifically known as amanita phalloides, which were incorporated into the beef dish. Ian Wilkinson survived after undergoing a liver transplant.
During her testimony, guided by questions from her attorney, Patterson disclosed her personal struggles, including issues with self-esteem, evolving spiritual beliefs, complications from her son’s birth, and a growing estrangement from her ex-husband’s family over recent years.
This perceived estrangement was evident when Patterson stated, “I had felt for some months that my relationship with the wider Patterson family, particularly Don and Gail, perhaps had a bit more distance or space put between us. We saw each other less.”
Patterson is scheduled to continue her testimony on Tuesday as the trial progresses. Meanwhile, earlier on Monday, the prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence to the jury, which consists of 14 members, paving the way for the defense’s arguments as the case draws to a close.