liveLive: Erin Patterson's mushroom murder trial over allegedly poisoned lunch beginsBy court reporter Kristian Silva and staffTopic:Courts4h ago4 hours agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:23pmSkip to timelineabc.net.au/news/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-leongatha-victoria-aus/105230440Link copiedShareShare articleProsecutors are outlining their case against Victorian woman Erin Patterson, who stands accused of using a poisoned meal to murder three relatives.Follow all the updates in our live blog.Key EventsMs Patterson said mushrooms had come from Asian grocer, prosecution says1h ago1 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:50amErin Patterson refused hospital care, jury told1h ago1 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:32amIllness sets in for group following lunch2h ago2 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:09amShow all key eventsLive updatesLatestOldest16m agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 4:00amWATCH: Courtroom packed in highly anticipated Erin Patterson trialJBy Judd BoazThe ABC's Bec Symons provides an update from outside the courthouse.Loading...Copy link36m agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 3:40amSketching inside courtMBy Mikaela OrtolanCameras aren't allowed inside court which means the only pictures of Erin Patterson that we've seen have come from Paul Tyquin.Paul is a sketch artist who has been hired by Australian media outlets for this trial.He's covered many other high-profile trials in the past including that of Greg Lynn, who was found guilty of a Victorian High Country murder, and Patrick Orren Stephenson who has been accused of murdering Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy.A sketch of Erin Patterson at court on Tuesday. (Paul Tyquin)He says he usually uses grey lead pencils and good quality drawing paper before applying colour."We do a photocopy of the drawing, and then I can colour using marker pens," he says.Paul applied colour to the sketch using Photoshop. (Paul Tyquin)Paul says the accused sometimes only appears in court for a few minutes which really puts the pressure on his work."Sometimes they're really rushed, you know, sometimes you might only get a couple of minutes. You have to sort of really observe carefully ... then finish it off from memory," he says.Copy link51m agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 3:25amThe regional town of Morwell under a global spotlightJBy Judd BoazThe highly anticipated trial is being held in Morwell, in south-eastern Victoria.The town of about 15,000 residents has been preparing for the influx of extra visitors during that time.You can read more from Morwell residents in this story by Daniel Miles and Bec Symons:Morwell residents watch on as mushroom trial creates unusual sideshowCopy link1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 3:10amYou can follow the trial on the ABC's podcastJBy Joseph DunstanThe Mushroom Case Daily podcast is presented by court reporter Kristian Silva and Stephen Stockwell.They're in the regional Victorian town of Morwell to paint a picture of how the first week of the trial will progress.If you’ve got questions about the case that you’d like Kristian and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au.‘Mushroom murder’ trial poised to begin - ABC listenCopy link1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 3:04amCourt has adjourned for a lunch breakJBy Joseph DunstanThe hearing has been paused briefly for a lunch break.When it resumes, crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC will continue outlining the case against Erin Patterson.Copy link1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 3:00amMs Patterson was transferred to Monash Hospital, along with the leftoversJBy Judd BoazThe court has just been shown an image of the recovered leftovers — a stale-looking pastry with some brown filling inside.Ms Patterson was transferred by ambulance from Leongatha Hospital to Monash Hospital, along with the leftovers of the lunch.Paramedics said she complained of a headache on the way, but did not ask to use the toilet during the 90-minute journey.When asked during the journey how much she had eaten, Ms Patterson said she had not eaten too much as she was too busy talking to her guests, Dr Rogers told the jury.Monash medical staff said Ms Patterson seemed well on arrival and showed good vital signs, Dr Rogers said.Prosecutors allege that when questioned further by hospital staff, Ms Patterson said she had used a combination of sliced button mushrooms and dried mushrooms to make the mushroom paste for the beef Wellington.Dr Rogers said Ms Patterson claimed she had not used any of the dried mushrooms prior to making the lunch.Ms Patterson denied using wild or foraged mushrooms.Copy linkKey Event1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:50amMs Patterson said mushrooms had come from Asian grocer, prosecution saysJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaBack at Ms Patterson's house, police found the leftovers of the beef Wellington meal in a bin.The leftovers were taken to Leongatha Hospital for testing.Prosecutors said Ms Patterson was now saying there were two sources of mushrooms — from Woolworths and from an Asian grocer in the Oakleigh region in suburban Melbourne.When asked by doctors which Asian grocer it was, Ms Patterson said she did not remember, and that the grocer could have in fact been in Glen Waverley, Dr Rogers said.Ms Patterson denied using wild or foraged mushrooms, Dr Rogers said.While in hospital, Ms Patterson's blood tests did not show signs that she was seriously unwell, Dr Rogers said.However Ms Patterson was insistent that she wanted to leave to pick up her kids from school.She continued to insist that her children were fine and didn't eat the mushrooms."No, no, I scraped them off," Ms Patterson allegedly told a nurse."She did not appear to be concerned about the children's health, rather than stressing them out," Dr Rogers said.Copy link1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:48amMs Patterson told hospital she suffered from diarrhoea, prosecution saysJBy Judd BoazThe prosecution claims Ms Patterson said she had been suffering from diarrhoea since eating the meal.This prompted hospital staff to begin to monitor Ms Patterson's bowel movements, examining her toilet pan after each trip to the bathroom.When a nurse examined the toilet pan after one trip, she found a yellow liquid with brown sediment.Dr Rogers said Ms Patterson told the nurse it had been a bowel movement."She said she knew it looked like wee, but it was actually poo," Dr Rogers told the jury.Ms Patterson remained adamant in her desire to leave the hospital to pick up her children despite doctor's advice, the jury heard.She resisted medication, including the NAC drug and IV fluids, saying she did not want any treatment.Copy link1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:40amProsecution says Ms Patterson checked herself out of hospitalJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaErin Patterson discharged herself from the Leongatha Hospital against medical advice, Dr Rogers said.Doctors were not only concerned for Ms Patterson, but for her children, the prosecutor said.It was because Ms Patterson said the children had also eaten meat from the Saturday lunch meal."The accused said the mushrooms had been scraped off as the children did not like mushrooms," Ms Rogers said.The court was shown an image from a security camera showing Ms Patterson leaving the hospital, while talking to medical staff.One of the doctors at the hospital, Chris Webster, became so concerned for Ms Patterson that he left repeated voicemails, saying he'd consider calling the police to bring her back.Copy linkKey Event1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:32amErin Patterson refused hospital care, jury toldJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaTwo days after the lunch, Erin Patterson told Simon Patterson she was having diarrhoea "every 20 minutes and thought she should go to hospital", Dr Rogers said.Ms Patterson went to the Leongatha Hospital's urgent care centre, where she was met by doctor Chris Webster, who was aware of the other lunch guests' serious illnesses."She told him her name was Erin Patterson. Realising she was the fifth lunch attendee, Dr Webster immediately let the accused into the urgent care centre," Dr Rogers said.Dr Webster explained to Ms Patterson that she had been exposed to a potentially lethal dose of mushrooms and asked where she had obtained them from."The accused replied she had bought them at Woolworths," Dr Rogers said.Dr Rogers said Ms Patterson declined to be admitted to hospital and sat on a chair."The accused repeatedly said she needed to leave," the prosecutor said."She was adamant she would not stay."Copy link1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:29amErin Patterson told family she was feeling ill, prosecutors sayJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaThe day after the lunch, Erin Patterson told her kids that she was starting to feel sick, Dr Rogers said.Simon also called her to inform her of the lunch guests' condition.Ms Patterson told him she also felt unwell, Dr Rogers said.Dr Rogers said the accused took her children to a flying lesson in Tyabb that afternoon, where Ms Patterson was captured on security footage entering a toilet at a service station — but only stayed inside for nine seconds.The trip was cut short and the group returned home. Ms Patterson used the toilet at home, Dr Rogers said.That evening they ate beans, mashed potatoes and meat, which Ms Patterson said was leftovers from the previous lunch."The prosecution asserts that the children's meal was not contaminated with death cap mushrooms."Copy link1h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:27amThe lunch party arrives at hospitalJBy Judd BoazAt the hospital, prosecutors said a round of tests were conducted on the Pattersons and the Wilkinsons.Doctors heard reports that they had vomited up to 30 times since the lunch.Initially, a decision was made to not administer NAC, an antidote to the toxin in the Amantina species of mushroom.Dr Rogers said this was due to their initially being "not sufficient evidence" that the group had ingested death cap mushrooms.Don and Gail's lactate levels were elevated, indicating that they were very unwell.Dr Rogers said the jury would hear later in the trial about lactate levels, and what they meant.After further consultation, the four were treated with intravenous fluids, the NAC drug and activated charcoal.Eventually, all four patients were transferred to the Austin Hospital for further treatment.During a discussion with a doctor, Don Patterson mentioned he had finished his wife's leftovers during the lunch.Don and Gail's son Matthew offered to call Erin Patterson and ask where she got the mushrooms for the beef Wellingtons.Copy linkKey Event2h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:09amIllness sets in for group following lunchJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaBack to the fallout from the lunch.Dr Rogers says all four lunch guests were sick the following morning, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.All four ended up at local hospitals in Korumburra and Leongatha.The prosecutor said Simon Patterson became aware of the illnesses, and went over to the Wilkinsons' home.Dr Rogers said Heather Wilkinson made some comments, reflecting on the lunch the previous day."Yeah I noticed Erin put her food on a different plate to us. Her plate had different colours on it. I wondered why it was," Ms Wilkinson is alleged to have said.Copy link2h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:59amPatterson belonged to true crime Facebook groupJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaEarlier, Dr Rogers made reference to some of Ms Patterson's online friends, who belonged to a true crime Facebook group dedicated to discussing the Keli Lane murder case.The members branched out and discussed other topics, including news, current affairs and their personal lives.Ms Patterson used her own Facebook page under her real name, but also had other accounts — Erin Erin, and Erin Erin Erin.Dr Rogers then moved on from this topic. No doubt this will pop up again either in her openings or during the evidence.Copy linkKey Event2h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:52amFive plates, five beef WellingtonsJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaDr Rogers moves to the critical event of the trial — the lunch itself.She said Ms Patterson's four guests arrived at her Leongatha home and greeted them at the door.She showed them around the house before the group gathered around the kitchen island bench.The meals prepared were five individual beef Wellingtons, mashed potatoes and green beans."They said grace and started the meal," Dr Rogers said.Dr Rogers said the guests all ate from grey-coloured plates, while Ms Patterson's was a lighter colour, which was described as orange and smaller than the others.The prosecution said Ian and Heather ate all of their serving of beef Wellington, while Don ate all of his serving and half of Gail's.For dessert, they ate a cake brought by Gail and a fruit platter from Heather.Dr Rogers said Ms Patterson dropped a bombshell — that she had cancer.She wanted to know whether to tell her kids or to keep it from them.The group prayed again, the court heard, and the guests headed home later that afternoon.Copy link2h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:50amRelationship between Erin Patterson and estranged husband deterioratesJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaDr Rogers said Ms Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, turned down an invitation to attend the lunch because he felt "too uncomfortable".The court was told the couple's marriage had broken down, with the relationship declining in 2022.The couple had initially had an "amicable" relationship, sharing custody and going on family holidays together, before issues arose straining the relationship. One of the reasons was because Ms Patterson changed the couple's kids' schools without telling her husband.Copy linkKey Event2h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:26amProsecution openings beginJBy Joseph DunstanReporting by Kristian SilvaNanette Rogers SC has been called upon to open the case for the prosecution.She says this case centres on a lunch held at Erin Patterson's home on July 29, 2023.Dr Rogers says Ms Patterson's in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, along with Heather and Ian Wilkinson, attended the lunch.About 11 or 12 hours later they fell sick with severe gastroenteritis, Dr Rogers said.Within days, three of the group died despite the efforts of staff at several hospitals."All four were each diagnosed by treating doctors with amanita mushroom poisoning," Dr Rogers said."What was initially thought to be a mass food poisoning event was investigated by police."Later, Ms Patterson was charged with murder and attempted murder.Copy link3h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:14amJury instructed on conditions for attempted murderJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaIn a similar vein, there are four elements for the charge of attempted murder.This is the charge that relates to Ian Wilkinson, who fell seriously ill after attending the lunch, but did not die.One key difference from murder though is that the intention must be an intention to kill.For murder, it can be an intention to kill or an intention to cause really serious injury.Copy link3h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:05amThe jury's checklist for a murder convictionJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaJustice Beale is running the jury through a slideshow which details the technical elements of the charge of murder. At the end of the trial, all of these points will need to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt for the jury to convict Ms Patterson of the offence.1.The accused caused the deaths by serving a poisoned meal2.The accused's alleged conduct was conscious, voluntary and deliberate3.At the time of the alleged conduct, the accused intended to kill or cause really serious injury4.The accused killed the deceased without lawful justification or excuseEach of these points will need to be considered for each of the murder charges, relating to Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson.Copy linkKey Event3h agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 12:58amThe trial beginsJBy Judd BoazReporting by Kristian SilvaGood morning from inside courtroom 4 at the Latrobe Valley Law Courts.The jury has just been brought in for the day’s proceedings. Justice Christopher Beale has a few more legal instructions to give the jury, before Nanette Rogers SC begins the prosecution opening.Erin Patterson is in the dock, sitting about two metres behind me. Today she’s wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt.Copy linkShow more postsPosted 4h ago4 hours agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:23pm, updated 56m ago56 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 3:20amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)TimelineRead nextTimelineKey EventsLatestMs Patterson said mushrooms had come from Asian grocer, prosecution says1h ago1 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:50amErin Patterson refused hospital care, jury told1h ago1 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:32amIllness sets in for group following lunch2h ago2 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 2:09amFive plates, five beef Wellingtons2h ago2 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:52amProsecution openings begin2h ago2 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 1:26amThe trial begins3h ago3 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 12:58amWho are the key lawyers in the trial?3h ago3 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 12:45amUpcoming witnesses and locations3h ago3 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 12:23amWho is Erin Patterson?4h ago4 hours agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 12:10amWho were the four people allegedly poisoned at the lunch?4h ago4 hours agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:34pmWhat happens in court today?4h ago4 hours agoTue 29 Apr 2025 at 11:21pmTop StoriesPM addresses National Press Club ahead of campaigning blitzTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Anthony Albanese holds hands with his fiancee as they smile and walk into a rally.Inflation 'clears way' for RBA interest rate cut in MayTopic:Stock MarketHeadline inflation stable at 2.4pc while RBA's preferred measure drops within targetTopic:InflationThere's a reason Dutton can't resort to a scare campaign with older AustraliansAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbHolmes à Court fuels movement that denies he will have seat at tableTopic:Political Parties and MovementsJust InWatchdog finds pressure on pilots a factor in plane's WA highway crashTopic:Air Incidents3m ago3 minutes agoWed 30 Apr 2025 at 4:13amMore than 4 million Australians have already voted. 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