Long-awaited triple murder mushroom trial begins
Emily Woods |
Almost two years after it’s alleged Erin Patterson fed poisoned beef wellingtons to her estranged husband’s family, a trial is underway in a small regional town.
Amid intense interest in the case, dozens of documentary-makers, journalists, podcast creators and true crime novelists have descended on Morwell, in Gippsland, about 150km southeast of Melbourne.
Fifteen jurors – 10 men and five women – were selected on Tuesday, with 12 of them to decide Patterson’s fate through a unanimous verdict at the end of the trial.
The 50-year-old mother, who elected for the trial to be held at Latrobe Valley Law Courts, wore a pink and white striped shirt for jury selection.
Patterson is accused of serving a poisoned lunch to guests at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023, Justice Christopher Beale told the jury before the selection began.
Her husband, Simon Patterson, did not attend the lunch but his parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle Heather and Ian Wilkinson did attend, he said.
Her former in-laws and Ms Wilkinson died in hospital after the lunch.
“The accused served individual beef wellingtons to her lunch guests,” Justice Beale said.
“Three of whom subsequently died from death cap poisoning.
“Ian Wilkinson was the only lunch guest who survived, though he was also gravely ill for a time and the accused denies that she deliberately poisoned anyone.”
After they were empanelled, Justice Beale informed the jury that three attempted murder charges involving Patterson’s estranged husband Simon had been discontinued ahead of the trial.
“In other words, those charges have been dropped and you must put them out of your mind,” he told the jury.
Given the significant media attention, Justice Beale also instructed the jurors to avoid reading or watching any content about the case.
“You must completely ignore anything that you have seen or heard in the media, including social media, or anything you’ve seen or heard online about this case or the people involved in it,” he said.
“Don’t risk your opinion as judges of the facts being contaminated, you must consider and base your decision only on the evidence presented to you here in court.”
The jury must find beyond a reasonable doubt that the prosecution has proven all four elements of murder and attempted murder for them to find her guilty, he said.
Those elements include that Patterson caused the deaths of three victims; that she did so consciously, voluntarily and deliberately; intending to kill or cause really serious injury; and without lawful justification or excuse, Justice Beale said.
The jury of 15 will be whittled down to 12 to decide unanimously whether Patterson is guilty or not guilty of the three murders and one attempted murder, he said.
“Your verdicts of guilty or not guilty in relation to each charge must be unanimous, the agreed decision of you all,” he said.
Justice Beale said the final 12 jurors would be sequestered in a hotel when they retire for their deliberations at the end of the trial, in five or six weeks.
The prosecution, led by Nanette Rogers SC, will deliver their opening address to the jury on Wednesday 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.
AAP
