liveErin Patterson mushroom murder trial live: Sole surviving lunch guest Ian Wilkinson gives evidenceBy Judd Boaz, court reporter Kristian Silva, Tim Callanan and staffTopic:Law, Crime and Justice6h ago6 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:20amSkip to timelineabc.net.au/news/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-live-blog-tues/105257526Link copiedShareShare articlePastor Ian Wilkinson, the sole surviving guest of Erin Patterson's deadly mushroom lunch, has given evidence in her triple-murder trial.Ms Patterson has pleaded not guilty to murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms.Follow the trial in our live blog.Key EventsLast witness postponed, court adjourns2m ago2 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:22amToxicologist raises possibility of death cap poisoning27m ago27 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:57amDon Patterson shows no improvement despite treatment32m ago32 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:53amShow all key eventsLive updatesLatestOldestKey Event2m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:22amLast witness postponed, court adjournsJBy Judd BoazNanette Rogers is keen to call up another witness but Justice Beale suggests wrapping up proceedings for the day after a particularly information-dense session.The court hears the witness, Mark Douglas, was the surgical registrar of toxicology on-call at the time when Don and Gail were admitted to hospital.However, due to scheduling, his testimony may now have to wait until later into the trial.Justice Beale adjourns court for the day.Copy link9m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:16amDr Morgan concludes her testimonyJBy Judd BoazDr Morgan tells the court she received a call from a doctor, Chris Webster, at Leongatha.He told her Erin Patterson had presented to hospital with gastro symptoms and had discharged herself.He needed to call police about it — and Dr Morgan suggested Erin go straight to the Austin Hospital, which was where Don and Gail were headed due to the severity of their conditions.This concludes her testimony.Copy link12m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:12amTreatment ordered for Ian and HeatherJBy Judd BoazAt 6.50am the next morning, after conversations with the toxicology department, it was suggested that doctors begin administering the antidote silibinin and the antibiotic rifampicin.The court hears that meanwhile, Ian and Heather were still at the Leongatha Hospital and had continued vomiting all night.Dr Morgan says doctors at Leongatha Hospital were instructed to start Ian and Heather Wilkinson on NAC, and an antibiotic.Copy link18m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:06amGail tested, then retested by hospitalJBy Judd BoazAt about 12:22am, fresh VBG tests showed that Gail was now also showing elevated lactate levels.The emergency room doctor also contacted the toxicologist, who recommended a repeat of liver function tests, and the administering of NAC if necessary.At 1:53am, Dr Morgan reviewed Gail and spoke to her at bedside, when she discovered that Gail had only eaten half her portion of beef Wellington at lunch."She looked unwell and clinically dehydrated," Dr Morgan says.At 2:08am, the results of the new liver function test arrived, showing that her liver function was worsening over time.Yet another test showed worsening signs, and lactate levels over 5.6.It triggered Dr Morgan to move Gail to the ICU.Copy link24m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:01amHospital refrains from administering antidoteJBy Judd BoazAs advised by toxicologists, Don was put onto a range of treatments including N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a liver-protecting drug used in cases of paracetemol overdose.However, Dr Morgan says the hospital did not immediately administer silibinin, an antidote to death cap mushrooms."At that time we had no evidence that anyone else was unwell, or that anyone else was experiencing the metabolic acidosis," she tells the court.Due to her symptoms and normal readings on VBG tests, Gail was not given as intensive medical care as Don, with doctors believing her illness to be food poisoning.In the early hours of the morning, Dr Morgan contacted Leongatha Hospital and asked them to conduct VBG tests on Ian and Heather Wilkinson.Copy linkKey Event27m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:57amToxicologist raises possibility of death cap poisoningJBy Judd BoazAbout 10:30pm, Dr Morgan says she texted the toxicology department, who ordered her to find out more about what was served at lunch."I was concerned that this wasnt just gastroenteritis caused by food poisoning," Dr Morgan says."There was a discussion about the presentation and how it was quite severe, but the onset of symptoms was quite delayed."This would be more indicative of a serious toxin syndrome as opposed to a food poisoning."Dr Morgan says the toxicologist on call told her that if it was a toxin poisoning, it was most likely due to the ingestion of the amanita phalloides (death cap mushroom) toxin.Copy linkKey Event32m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:53amDon Patterson shows no improvement despite treatmentJBy Judd BoazIV fluids were administered to Don in an attempt to remedy the signs, after which another VBG test was run on Don.But rather than improvement, the tests revealed that treatment had not worked."It suggested that there was a persistent, severe metabolic acidosis," Dr Morgan says.Doctors worked to find possible causes for Don's illness, such as ischemic bowel disease.Dr Morgan says when she spoke with Don, he seemed well and showed no abdominal tenderness.She concluded that gastro brought on by food poisoning alone would not account for his illness.As night closed, a CT scan was conducted, which was able to rule out an ischemic bowel.Copy link39m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:45amDoctor grows concerned about Don's liverJBy Judd BoazDr Morgan says Don also had abnormal readings for other markers such as potassium, urea and creatinine.She says the fear of significant organ damage was raised as a result of these tests.A liver function test was then run on Don, with markers such as the aspartate transaminase level measured.The levels were highly abnormal, and Dr Morgan says the result made her very concerned about liver damage that Don had sustained.Copy linkKey Event44m agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:40am'Very acidic' blood in poisoned lunch guest, court hearsJBy Judd BoazNanette Rogers SC continues her questioning, asking Dr Morgan to tell the court about the results of the VBG test mentioned before the break."What we noted was that the pH was low, which means that the blood was very acidic," Dr Morgan says.She says the acidity was likely caused by continual vomiting and diarrhoea, in addition to the elevated lactate.Lactate levels were now at 10, when the normal range should be from 0.5 to 1."This was a very, very high lactate," she says.Copy link1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:13amProsecution has doctor explain medical terms to courtJBy Judd BoazDr Morgan recounts Donald Patterson's vital signs during the morning after the lunch, which were relatively stable at the time.She explains the venous blood gas (VBG) test that was given to Don, which among other things measures blood acidity and lactate levels.Dr Rogers has Dr Morgan go over terms like electrolytes, calcium and sodium for the court, and makes sure the definitions are clear and accurate.Before a break, Dr Rogers has Dr Morgan give a very specific definition for lactate, which she says is present when tissues are not receiving enough oxygen or cells are not metabolising correctly.After this, the jury files out for a break.Copy link1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:06amMore from doctor Beth MorganJBy Judd BoazDr Morgan was a medical registrar at Monash Health at the time of the poisonings.She was the senior medical doctor on site overnight when Don and Gail Patterson arrived.While her shift was due to end at 8am that day, she became involved in the treatment of the married couple.Dr Morgan says Don exhibited mild right-side abdominal pain in addition to the nausea and diarrhoea, but with no blood produced in vomit or stool samples.She says doctors were told about the beef Wellington lunch about Erin Patterson's house at this time.Copy linkKey Event1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:02amThe rotating cast of barristers examining witnessesKBy Kristian SilvaSome people might be wondering why we've seen a rotating cast of lawyers asking witnesses questions.The three barristers for the prosecution are Nanette Rogers SC, Jane Warren and Sarah Lenthall. All three have conducted examinations today of witnesses.This is not unusual. With a trial with a large number of witnesses, sometimes certain topics or witnesses are delegated to split up the workload.Occasionally, the barrister who is speaking may whisper a question or seek clarification from the others.The defence side is being led by barristers Colin Mandy SC and his junior Sophie Stafford.So far, only Mr Mandy has conducted cross-examination in this trial.Lawyers from the Office of Public Prosecutions are assisting the trio of prosecutors, while members of criminal defence firm Doogue and George are helping Mr Mandy and Ms Stafford.Copy link1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:00amDoctor Beth Morgan called to the witness boxJBy Judd BoazOur witnesses are following the chronological journey of Don and Gail Patterson through the medical system. First, the paramedic at their house. Then, the nurse at the local hospital. Now, doctor Beth Morgan is up next.Copy linkKey Event1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:59amDon Patterson continues to deteriorateJBy Judd BoazMs Shannon says the deterioration of Donald Patterson was strange given the food poisoning symptoms he had been showing."It became obvious that Donald was becoming worse, he was very lethargic, blood pressure was going down a little bit, pulse was going up a little bit," Ms Shannon says.She tells the court it was clear he was in a worse state than when he arrived.Ms Shannon says Simon Patterson arrived to see his parents that morning, and she was aware that two other patients had arrived with similar symptoms.When the results, of i-STAT blood tests returned, Ms Shannon says it was clear something out of the ordinary was occurring with Don."In regards to Donald, it was extremely abnormal," she says.She tells the court that Don had a lactate of 6 [mmol/L], which was indicative of serious health issues such as sepsis or liver damage.According to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health, normal lactate levels are less than 1.0 mmol/L in all age groups.The reading would require transfer to a tertiary hospital with a larger ICU.Copy linkKey Event1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:50amKorumburra Hospital nurse called to give evidenceJBy Judd BoazNurse Lisa Shannon is up next in the witness box.Ms Shannon had worked for five years at Korumburra Hospital, which had two beds in its urgent care centre.The set-up at the hospital means one nurse cares for both patients.Ms Shannon says at about 10am the day after the lunch, both Don and Gail presented to the urgent care and reported their symptoms."Donald was considerably sicker than Gail, on arrival," Ms Shannon says."I remained in the urgent care room, couldn't leave because I was quite busy with both of those patients."She says she needed to assist Don to use the bathroom roughly every 10 minutes.Don and Gail were both given IV fluids and an ECG was taken, as well as blood tests.Copy link1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:45amDon and Gail seriously ill in their home before being taken to hospitalJBy Judd BoazMs Hyde describes Don and Gail being ill in the house, showing signs of a gastro-type illness.She says Don was vomiting in the house before they began transporting the couple to hospital via ambulance.The court heard the journey took around three minutes.The defence has no questions for Ms Hyde, and she is dismissed.Copy link1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:41amAmbulance worker gives evidenceTBy Tim CallananThe next witness to appear is Cindy Hyde, who was working as a patient transfer officer with Ambulance Victoria in July, 2023.She confirms she travelled in an ambulance to Korumburra and attended the home of Don and Gail Patterson.She says they told her they were ill after eating a meal, which Don Patterson described as "beef stroganoff".Copy linkKey Event1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:37amTestimony of Ian Wilkinson endsTBy Tim CallananThe defence lawyer Colin Mandy SC has finished questioning Ian Wilkinson and now it's back to the prosecution.Prosecutor Jane Warren simply asks Mr Wilkinson to confirm that the lunch conversation about the children was confined to the topic of the cancer diagnosis, which he confirms.This marks the end of Mr Wilkinson's evidence today.Copy link1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:30amIan Wilkinson's police statement put under a microscopeJBy Judd BoazMr Mandy drives home the word "suspected", which Ian used in the earlier police statement."I think I was probably understating things," Ian Wilkinson says."So it wasn't the truth?" Mr Mandy asks.Ian reiterates it wasn't an impression he had formed, but that he definitively believed she had cancer after the lunch."Erin was fairly clear that the diagnosis was given," he says.Copy link1h agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:29amIan Wilkinson questioned about cancer claimTBy Tim CallananMr Mandy is now taking Mr Wilkinson back to a statement he made in September, 2023 and the "importance" of that statement.Mr Wilkinson agrees he read over the statement and agreed with everything in it and would have taken the opportunity to change anything if he wanted to.Mr Mandy puts it to Mr Wilkinson that he told police that Erin Patterson said that she had "suspected cancer".Mr Wilkinson says he thinks she was saying that she thought she had cancer."She plainly said that she had some sort of cancer. Her voice was low at that point," he says."This was a serious situation."Copy linkShow more postsPosted 6h ago6 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:20am, updated 17m ago17 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:07amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)TimelineRead nextTimelineKey EventsLatestLast witness postponed, court adjourns2m ago2 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:22amToxicologist raises possibility of death cap poisoning27m ago27 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:57amDon Patterson shows no improvement despite treatment32m ago32 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:53am'Very acidic' blood in poisoned lunch guest, court hears44m ago44 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:40amThe rotating cast of barristers examining witnesses1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:02amDon Patterson continues to deteriorate1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:59amKorumburra Hospital nurse called to give evidence1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:50amTestimony of Ian Wilkinson ends1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:37amDefence presses Ian Wilkinson about the lunch2h ago2 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:24amThe hearing has resumed2h ago2 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 4:18amSeating arrangements at July 29 lunch3h ago3 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 3:25amDefence begins cross-examination of Ian Wilkinson3h ago3 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:46amIan Wilkinson loses weeks of memory following death cap poisoning3h ago3 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:44amPlate differences again brought up by Heather at hospital3h ago3 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:35amIan Wilkinson felt 'okay' after dinner — then illness set in4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:25amLunch guests pray for Erin4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:23amErin raises alleged cancer after lunch4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 2:19amBanter over splitting beef Wellingtons featured during the lunch4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:57amOne different plate used at lunch, Ian Wilkinson says4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:47amBeef Wellingtons 'very much like a pasty', court hears4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:44amErin 'very reluctant' for guests to visit pantry4h ago4 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:36amHeather Wilkinson's diary shown to court5h ago5 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:22amLunch guest hoped 'relationship with Erin was going to improve'5h ago5 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:20am'She just seemed like a normal person', surviving guest says5h ago5 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:16amIan Wilkinson called to the witness box5h ago5 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 1:05amGood morning from inside Courtroom 45h ago5 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:58amWho's who and when did things happen?5h ago5 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:31amWhat happened in court yesterday?5h ago5 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:27amIan Wilkinson arrives at the court6h ago6 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:24amWelcome to today's blog6h ago6 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:12amTop StoriesNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseWhat's causing an unprecedented and deadly disease outbreak in Queensland?Topic:Infectious DiseasesCould Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxLiberal preferences may help elect Climate 200-backed independent who vows to end gasTopic:ElectionsKey moments from the Met Gala include Diana Ross's show-stopping gownTopic:High FashionJust InOne of music's biggest stars announces first Australian showTopic:Arts, Culture and Entertainment57m ago57 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:27amTrump's film tariffs throws Gold Coast vision into doubt, industry saysTopic:Film Industry59m ago59 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:25amHuni 'comfortable being me' ahead of momentous opportunityTopic:Boxing1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:24amTeenagers clocked going 120kph on e-bike but no charges laidTopic:Electric Vehicles3m ago3 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:21amMore Just InBack to top