liveMushroom murder trial live: Erin Patterson told estranged husband their relationship was 'toxic'By court reporter Kristian Silva, Judd Boaz, Tim Callanan and Joseph DunstanTopic:Courts2h ago2 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:08amSkip to timelineabc.net.au/news/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-leongatha-australia/105235686Link copiedShareShare articleThe murder trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of deliberately poisoning four people during a lunch at her home in 2023, continues.Follow all the updates in our live blog.Key EventsLunch invitation to discuss 'a serious matter'7m ago7 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:16amErin loved her father-in-law's 'gentle nature', court hears17m ago17 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:07amRift between Erin and Simon Patterson intensifies36m ago36 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:48amShow all key eventsLive updatesLatestOldestKey Event7m agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:16amLunch invitation to discuss 'a serious matter'TBy Tim CallananSimon Patterson is now telling the court about the lead-up to the lunch at which his parents Don and Gail Patterson, and Ian and Heather Wilkinson ate poisonous mushrooms.He says he was invited to an earlier lunch that Erin Patterson wanted to hold with him, his parents and his children, but he declined the invitation.Mr Patterson says he was later approached by Erin Patterson at the church he and his wife attended and was invited to attend a lunch on July 29, 2023.He says Erin Patterson told him she wanted to discuss "a serious matter" regarding her health with him and his relatives.Mr Patterson says he understood that the pair's children would not be there.He says he discussed the invitation with his parents and they were "intrigued" by the purpose of the invitation.He later called his parents and told them he would not be attending and he also told Erin Patterson he would be "uncomfortable" attending.Copy linkKey Event17m agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:07amErin loved her father-in-law's 'gentle nature', court hearsJBy Judd BoazWe're back from adjournment, and prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC is continuing to question Erin Patterson's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, who appears as a witness.After the disagreement about child support, Mr Patterson says Ms Patterson reached out in a group chat on the app Signal to his parents.He says Ms Patterson directed her concerns about the child support arrangements to his parents."I think it was pretty clear that she was asking them to get involved," he tells the court.Mr Patterson says his parents called on the pair to resolve the issue together.Mr Patterson says Erin Patterson particularly got on well with his father, Don.He again becomes emotional, when speaking of his father."I think she loved his gentle nature," he says.Copy link35m agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:49amCourt adjourns for a breakJBy Judd BoazProsecutor Nanette Rogers SC began to change the subject of her questioning, at which point Justice Beale interjected and called for a break.During the questioning, Erin Patterson has shown little emotion.We'll return shortly with more coverage of Simon Patterson's testimony.Copy linkKey Event36m agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:48amRift between Erin and Simon Patterson intensifiesKBy Kristian Silva and Judd BoazThe timeline is moving closer to the date of the 2023 lunch.As of 2022, the couple were living in separate houses and their children were staying with Erin, although both parents were caring for the children.Simon says their relationship declined when Erin became angry that he had listed their status as “separated” on his tax return.“She said that mattered for a family tax benefit, or something of that nature, and she would be obliged to claim child support off me which had never happened before,” he says.“She was upset about it.”Mr Patterson says he was unsure how Ms Patterson had discovered the information on his tax return.The discovery led to an argument and a growing rift between the two, Mr Patterson tells the court.Further disagreements sprouted from the payment of school fees — which Mr Patterson says he had always previously paid — and medical bills.When a medical bill for one of their children arrived and Mr Patterson refused to pay it, their relationship broke down further.“I was sure she was very upset about that,” he says.Copy linkKey Event52m agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:32amSimon Patterson becomes emotional discussing strained marriageKBy Kristian Silva and Judd BoazSimon Patterson says Erin inherited $2 million from her late grandmother's estate, which was distributed in multiple instalments.He confirms their separation was made permanent in late 2015."It was strained, there was tension," he says of the relationship, saying they'd gone to see a family counsellor.Mr Patterson is asked by Dr Rogers how he felt about his marriage to Erin Patterson."I was always keen to have a good relationship, a good marriage," he says."Erin decided to buy herself a separate house and move into it."Mr Patterson says at the time, she had not given him a reason for the separation.He says she later communicated to him that their relationship was "toxic".Dr Rogers then asks if the multiple separations were always initiated by Ms Patterson.Mr Patterson takes long pauses during his answer as he processes the question."That's a difficult one to answer. I was … I'll put it this way, she would leave each time … it was always her leaving me," he said.He then asks for tissues as emotion overwhelm him, but declines to take a break from his testimony.Copy link1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:24amErin and Simon Patterson's marriage survived early six-month separationJBy Joseph DunstanThe court hears that in the earlier stages of the marriage, Simon and Erin Patterson had a separation of roughly six months."What I understood from Erin is that … she was struggling inside herself," Mr Patterson says.Mr Patterson says they engaged in some marriage counselling and he ended up landing a job in regional Western Australia.That job came with a home, and Mr Patterson says his wife moved back in with him after he'd settled there.Copy linkKey Event1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:14amEstranged husband says Erin Patterson is 'very intelligent'KBy Kristian SilvaSimon Patterson is asked by the prosecution about his estranged wife.He says she's "witty" and has worked towards many qualifications."Erin’s very intelligent," Mr Patterson says."She's quite witty and can be quite funny."I guess some of the things that attracted me to her in the first place was her intelligence."He says his wife is a qualified accountant and air traffic controller."She studied various courses while we were married including a vet science course. I know she had studied legal courses as well," he says.When asked how she interacts with others, Mr Patterson says it was "very rare" for her to invite people over to their home in their early years of marriage.Copy linkKey Event1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:04amSimon Patterson begins his testimonyKBy Kristian SilvaSimon Patterson is in the witness box, where he takes the oath before giving his evidence.Mr Patterson confirms he is still married to Erin Patterson, and says they first met in the early 2000s."We both worked for the Monash City Council in Melbourne," he begins.Mr Patterson says he was a civil engineer, while Erin was in the local laws department.He says they slowly got to know each other before starting a romantic relationship, getting married on June 2, 2007.Ms Patterson, in the back of the court dock, is listening intently.Copy linkKey Event1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:57amSimon Patterson takes the standJBy Judd BoazSimon Patterson is the first witness in the murder trial of his estranged wife Erin.Don and Gail Patterson, Simon's parents, died after eating a lunch at Ms Patterson's Leongatha home. His aunt, Heather Wilkinson, also died.On Wednesday, the court heard Simon and Erin Patterson had separated in 2015, but had maintained an amicable relationship for several years afterwards, going on family trips together with their children.Simon Patterson is Erin Patterson' estranged husband. (ABC News)However, towards the end of 2022, their relationship had soured, stemming from a disagreement about child support.The prosecution told the jury on Wednesday that in 2023, Ms Patterson had changed her children's school without consulting Mr Patterson.Copy link1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:53amRevisit the opening of the mushroom trial, moment by momentJBy Judd BoazWe'll be bringing you all the crucial moments from today's proceedings in the Erin Patterson murder trial.To revisit Wednesday's proceedings, which saw the defence and prosecution outline their cases for and against Ms Patterson, check out yesterday's live blog below:Erin Patterson's lawyer tells jury mushroom poisoning deaths were 'a terrible accident' — as it happenedCopy link1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:50amKristian Silva reporting from inside courtroom 4KBy Kristian SilvaGood morning again from inside courtroom 4 of the Latrobe Valley Law Courts.The lawyers, jury and Erin Patterson are all here.Ms Patterson is in the court dock at the back of the room, wearing a solid pink button-shirt today.First up, a logistical task — giving the jury members their own iPads, where they can view things like trial exhibits and documents.There's a bit of a set up and instruction process that needs to take place.Typically, some are struggling a bit with the task."It's a lot better, ladies and gentlemen than the old way, where you had a massive folder," Justice Beale jokes.Copy link1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:38amWhere is the trial being held?JBy Judd BoazErin Patterson's trial is being held in the regional Victorian town of Morwell.While most Victorians will know where that is — or will at least have heard of Morwell — that can't necessarily be assumed for the rest of the world.Morwell is in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, about 150 kilometres east of Melbourne.Morwell sits in the Latrobe Valley area of Gippsland (ABC News)The town, which sits on Gunaikurnai country, was a major coal mining and energy production centre for Victoria for decades.Erin Patterson's home, where the events under scrutiny at this trial happened, is about 45 minutes drive to the south-west of Morwell, at Leongatha.Copy linkKey Event1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:31amErin Patterson's estranged husband Simon arrives at courtJBy Judd BoazSimon Patterson has arrived at court.As we learnt yesterday during the trial, Erin Patterson had invited her estranged husband to also attend the lunch where four people were poisoned.Ms Patterson had invited Mr Patterson, his parents and his aunt and uncle to her home to discuss a health issue.Simon Patterson arriving at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court. (AAP: James Ross)When he declined the invitation, the prosecution said Ms Patterson had doubled down."She emphasised the efforts she had put into preparing the lunch because she'd wanted it to be a special meal and that she may not be able to have 'a lunch like this the again for some time'," senior prosecutor Nanette Rogers said."The accused said it was important to her that everyone attended the following day and that she hoped to see Simon there."He did not reply."Copy linkKey Event1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:29amWhat are we expecting in court today?TBy Tim CallananThe first witnesses are due to be questioned in court at the Latrobe Valley Law Courts in Morwell.We don't yet know who exactly will be called to give evidence today but crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC said in her opening remarks yesterday that there were "a lot" of witnesses.It's expected that Ian Wilkinson, who was gravely ill after eating poisonous mushrooms at the lunch organised by Ms Patterson, will give evidence during the trial.We're also expecting to hear from Ms Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson.Medical staff who treated the people who were ill and died after the lunch will be called, as well as police who investigated the case.Copy link1h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:25amCatch up on what happened in court yesterdayTBy Tim CallananIt was a dramatic opening day of the trial as the prosecution laid out its murder case against Erin Patterson and her defence team responded.You can read all about the day's events in court here:'Panicked' Erin Patterson lied to police but is innocent of triple murder, court hearsCopy link2h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:11amSix things we learned yesterday in the mushroom trialJBy Judd BoazThe first day of the trial saw both the prosecution and defence make their opening arguments to the jury.Here are six things we learned on Wednesday:1.Erin Patterson invited Ian and Heather Wilkinson and Don and Gail Patterson to her home in 2023 for a lunch to discuss a cancer diagnosis. But defence and prosecution agree her claim of a cancer diagnosis was false.2.The prosecution says that at the lunch, the guests noticed that Ms Patterson put her food on a smaller, different-coloured plate to theirs.3.While the four guests were quick to attend hospital, the prosecution says Ms Patterson was extremely reluctant to receive treatment, checking herself out of hospital when she could.4.The defence says initial statements made to police by Ms Patterson — that she did not own a food dehydrator, that she had bought mushrooms from an Asian grocer and that she had not foraged for mushrooms — were lies brought on by her panicking.5.But Ms Patterson's lawyer says what happened was "a tragedy and a terrible accident" and his client is innocent of murder.6.The prosecution will not offer any motive for the alleged murder charges, with a motive unnecessary for a conviction.Copy link2h agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:07amWelcome to today's coverage of the trialJBy Judd BoazCourt reporter Kristian Silva will be bringing us regular updates from the Supreme Court trial of Erin Patterson.Ms Patterson is accused of murdering three of her relatives and the attempted murder of another, through a poisoned lunch at her Leongatha home.She has always maintained her innocence.Yesterday, we heard the opening arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.Today, it is expected we will hear from witnesses related to the case.Copy linkPosted 2h ago2 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:08am, updated 13m ago13 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:11amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)TimelineRead nextTimelineKey EventsLatestLunch invitation to discuss 'a serious matter'7m ago7 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:16amErin loved her father-in-law's 'gentle nature', court hears17m ago17 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:07amRift between Erin and Simon Patterson intensifies36m ago36 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:48amSimon Patterson becomes emotional discussing strained marriage52m ago52 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:32amEstranged husband says Erin Patterson is 'very intelligent'1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:14amSimon Patterson begins his testimony1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 1:04amSimon Patterson takes the stand1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:57amErin Patterson's estranged husband Simon arrives at court1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:31amWhat are we expecting in court today?1h ago1 hours agoThu 1 May 2025 at 12:29amTop StoriesDutton hints at Coalition campaign failure as polls show Albanese majority in sightTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Peter Dutton election shadowsThe strange 'ballot-fellows' revealed on parties' how-to-vote cardsTopic:ElectionsSurprise could lurk for Labor if enough voters vent anger over cost of livingDAnalysis by David SpeersJacinta Nampijinpa Price contradicts Peter Dutton, asserting Coalition will end school 'indoctrination'Topic:Public SchoolsHackers have 'compromised' almost 100 bank employees, experts sayTopic:Cyber CrimeJust InAhead of his 200th game for Canberra, the rise of Joseph Tapine was worth the wait and the weightTopic:Analysis8m ago8 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:16amHow Labor changed workplace laws and what the Coalition would revertTopic:Industrial Relations15m ago15 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:09amFrom obedience to choice: A Chinese migrant's first real vote in AustraliaBAnalysis by Bang Xiao16m ago16 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:08amSimon Patterson tells court of 'strained' relationship with alleged mushroom killerTopic:Law, Crime and Justice19m ago19 minutes agoThu 1 May 2025 at 2:05amMore Just InBack to top