Live: Erin Patterson's lack of concern after deadly lunch 'odd', court hears do sex

Live: Erin Patterson's lack of concern after deadly lunch 'odd', court hears do sex sex to

May, 05 2025 04:13 AM
liveErin Patterson's murder trial live: Simon Patterson returns to the witness standBy court reporter Kristian Silva, Judd Boaz, Joseph Dunstan and Tim CallananTopic:Courts4h ago4 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:09amSkip to timelineabc.net.au/news/erin-patterson-mushroom-murder-trial-live-blog/105252270Link copiedShareShare articleThe triple-murder trial of Erin Patterson continues in the Latrobe Valley Law Courts in Morwell.Ms Patterson is charged with killing three relatives by serving them a meal laced with poisonous mushrooms — but her defence lawyer says the deaths were a tragic accident.Follow the trial in our live blog.Key EventsWATCH: Here's what Erin Patterson's trial has heard this morning1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:10amSimon Patterson claims 'inflammatory' message came months later2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:11am'I did not say that to Erin': Court hears details of hospital conversation2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:53amShow all key eventsLive updatesLatestOldest9m agoMon 5 May 2025 at 4:04amFocus on group chat messagesJBy Judd Boaz and Joseph DunstanEarlier, there was a big focus on messages sent in a group chat that included Erin Patterson, Simon Patterson, and Simon's parents Don and Gail.This came after last week Simon Patterson indicated there had been "inflammatory" messages sent by his estranged wife that showed she was being aggressive in the months before the deadly lunch.Erin Patterson's lawyer Colin Mandy SC brought attention to several messages indicating the relationship, while strained during disagreements about parenting arrangements for the children, was moving past an earlier period of "pettiness".But Simon indicated there had been one message, which he felt should have been sent to him privately, that was instead put into the family group chat.He says he's still upset Erin sent this message, which would have upset his mother Gail had she seen it.The court has not heard what the message said.Copy linkKey Event1h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:10amWATCH: Here's what Erin Patterson's trial has heard this morningJBy Joseph DunstanThe ABC's Alexandra Alvaro has been in court at Morwell this morning.Here's a quick recap of the evidence heard so far today:Loading...Copy link1h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:57amCourtroom 4 packed to the brimJBy Judd BoazDespite the high profile of the mushroom murder trial, the decision was made to hold the Supreme Court trial at the Latrobe Valley law courts in the regional town of Morwell rather than at the Supreme Court building in Melbourne.Media interest has been so high during the opening days of the case that there simply isn’t enough room in Courtroom 4 to fit all the reporters, journalists and interested members of the public.There has been intense public interest in the trial. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)With just six places reserved for media in the courtroom, an overflow room has been set up to seat about 30 reporters from various publications and broadcasters around the world.A large screen showing the court and livestreaming proceedings focusses on the witness during questioning.Copy link1h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:42amThe hearing has taken a breakJBy Joseph DunstanThe jury has left the room while Erin Patterson's murder trial takes an adjournment.Copy link1h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:26amErin Patterson's previous hospital visitsJBy Judd BoazDr Rogers asks Simon Patterson about previous visits Erin had made to the hospital.Previously, Simon told the court that Erin hates hospital.He recounts two previous incidents — once before their marraige and once after the birth of a child — where Erin left hospital before being discharged, or discharged herself despite hospital advice.Copy link1h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:22amProsecution asks about Simon's reaction to Erin's reported illnessJBy Judd BoazLast week, we heard that Erin Patterson had told her lunch guests she'd been diagnosed with cancer — a claim which was false.Dr Rogers asks Simon Patterson why he didn't contact his parents after the lunch to inquire about Erin Patterson's medical issue.He says it was Erin's news to tell and he wanted to respect that."I would have been putting [Don and Gail] in an uncomfortable position," he says.Dr Rogers asks why he didn't directly contact Erin about her serious medical issue, which she had mentioned when inviting him to lunch.Mr Patterson says he was confused by the fact that although it was an important medical issue, there seemed a lack of urgency to discuss it given the lunch was weeks away."I remember feeling puzzled after she invited me to the lunch, that although she’d communicated it was a serious medical issue to be talked about, it was going to be weeks later that the issue was going to be discussed," he says."I couldn’t reconcile those two facts."Copy linkKey Event2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:11amSimon Patterson claims 'inflammatory' message came months laterJBy Judd BoazNow the crown prosecutor, Nanette Rogers SC, is re-examining Simon Patterson.Dr Rogers shows Simon another message, and asks if this was the "inflammatory" message he had in mind.He says it is not."The message I had in mind was a few months after this series of messages we've been reading this morning," Mr Patterson says.Mr Patterson says the anxiety Gail Patterson felt meant she had a policy of avoiding Erin's messages."Mum wouldn't read any of the messages that popped up from Erin," Mr Patterson said.He says he and his father were glad this policy was in place when the inflammatory messages came through.He says Erin's message had come after he'd texted her asking if she could help get one of the kids to bed earlier because they had seemed a bit tired to him when they caught up on weekends."I tell you what, if Mum had've read that, I don't know what that would have done to her," Mr Patterson says."What was it that was inflammatory?" Dr Rogers asks.Mr Patterson says it was a message "having a crack" at him and accusing him of things, in the group chat."That's not the bit I objected to," he says."It was the fact that she sent it, especially to Mum, knowing Mum's condition and what that can do to Mum."I'm still upset about that."Copy link2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:00amChange of schools discussedJBy Judd BoazThe discussion turns towards one of Erin and Simon Patterson's children.Mr Mandy asks if there were discussions about moving one of their children to a different school in order to provide a better learning environment."In roughly May 2023, is when I was told that by Erin and [my child]," Mr Patterson says.Mr Mandy tenders more messages as evidence, these dating back to October 2021.They show Erin referring to a past conversation about the possibility of changing school for one of the children, and Simon disagreeing with the idea.Copy linkKey Event2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:53am'I did not say that to Erin': Court hears details of hospital conversationJBy Judd BoazDefence lawyer Colin Mandy SC presses Simon Patterson on his time spent with Erin Patterson at a hospital after the lunch.He asks Simon to confirm he did not spend the entire time in Erin's room.Colin Mandy SC: You weren't keeping Erin under constant surveillance, were you?Simon Patterson: No, that's not my style.Colin Mandy SC: When you say ... she went to the toilet once, it's obvious enough that's just what you observed.You're unable to say how many times she went to the toilet in your absence.Simon Patterson: Yes.Conversation turns to the dehydrator, which the court hears Erin, Simon and the children discussed in her hospital room.Colin Mandy SC: You asked, is that what you used to poison them?Simon Patterson: I did not say that to Erin.There is a silence, and we take a five-minute break immediately after this exchange.Copy linkKey Event2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:39amFurther scrutiny on state of Erin and Simon's relationshipJBy Judd BoazMr Mandy continues with his reading of messages.Further messages dated from December 16 between Erin and Simon Patterson show relations had thawed slightly since the previous messages.Erin had travelled to New Zealand for a trip with the children, and sent messages back and forth with Simon detailing their travels.Messages from December 18 are then tendered as evidence.Erin writes in one message asking for a favour from Simon."I understand we don't really have the relationship right now where I can ask for favours…" she writes."Hey there, I'm always your husband no matter how we're doing…" Simon responds in his message.Mr Mandy asks whether the pettiness had abated by this time, but Simon disagrees and says there was still tension.Copy linkKey Event2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:28amSimon Patterson says defence has wrong messagesJBy Judd BoazWhen asked about the conversation, Simon Patterson says these are not the messages he objected to when talking about "aggressive" messages last week in court.Mr Mandy starts to continue his reading of the messages, but is stopped by Justice Beale, who asks if it is necessary given that these are not the messages Mr Patterson was referring to.Copy linkKey Event2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:27amGroup chat messages examinedJBy Judd BoazMessages from December 5, 2022, sent to a group Signal chat detail Erin Patterson's concerns around Simon Patterson changing his marital status to separated.The court hears that in the messages, Ms Patterson says that due to this decision, she had missed out on tens of thousands of dollars worth of child support payments.In the chat, which includes her in-laws, calls out Mr Patterson for shirking his financial responsibilities."I foolishly trusted that he would do right by me and the kids when it came to the crunch," she writes.In the messages, Don Patterson attempts to mediate the financial issues.Ms Patterson says she will continue to voice her concerns in the group chat, and says that she believes Don and Gail should be aware of the actions of their son Simon regarding their grandchildren.She raises the payment of school fees, saying Simon must either pay for half the fees at the children's school or she may initiate legal action.Copy link2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:19amGroup chat messages re-examined by defenceJBy Judd BoazLast week, we heard that Erin had messaged a group chat that included Simon, Don and Gail about her issues with child support payments.Simon last week told the court they were "inflammatory messages" and that she was being "extremely aggressive".Mr Mandy had disputed Mr Patterson's use of the term "aggressive"."That's not the right way of categorising it, is it? She was upset, she was hurt," Mr Mandy says."Perhaps you could put up the messages that she messaged the group [chat]  that I mentioned and we could see," Mr Patterson says.Today, Mr Mandy has prepared these messages to show to the court.A few moments are needed to sort out the technical issues of presenting the messages.Copy link2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:18amFamily was deeply involved in Korumburra community groupJBy Judd BoazThe Patterson's connection with the Korumburra Community Development Association is raised by the defence.Don Patterson served as treasurer, while his wife Gail served as secretary and Erin produced the Burra Flyer, a community newspaper.Mr Mandy says all three resigned due to Gail becoming ill with encephalitis.Copy linkKey Event2h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:13amErin's lack of curiosity about in-laws' health examined by defenceJBy Judd BoazOn Friday, Simon Patterson told the court that Erin Patterson did not ask how his parents were faring following the poisoned lunch.Mr Mandy presses Mr Patterson on this point, asking if it was possible he simply forgot that she had asked while both were in hospital:Colin Mandy SC: What I’m suggesting to you Mr Patterson is that she asked that question: How are they going?Simon Patterson: No, I can’t recall her asking that.Colin Mandy SC: It’s possible she asked that question and you can’t recall.Simon Patterson: I’d say possible but unlikely because it stood out to me … it’s a feeling I remember, which is, ‘that’s odd’.Copy link3h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:07amSimon Patterson's memory called into question by defenceJBy Judd BoazThe defence begins by focusing on Simon Patterson's memory in the days after the lunch, with his parents and aunt and uncle still battling illness in the hospital.Colin Mandy SC asks whether it would be fair to say that Mr Patterson's memory would be better in the days around the incident in 2023 than now.He asks a series of open-ended questions to Mr Patterson."Your memory would have been better at the time than it is now about these events?" Mr Mandy said."It would be understandable now to not be able to recall the number of phone calls."It's possible you got the timing of things wrong … the order of things wrong?"Copy linkKey Event3h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:03amThe scene from inside Courtroom 4KBy Kristian SilvaGood morning from inside Courtroom 4, as week two of this trial gets under way.Just about every seat in the courtroom is full again. There are lots of reporters, and some of the Patterson family have come to watch, along with a few members of the public.Erin Patterson is in the court dock, dressed in a sage green jumper. Simon Patterson has also returned to the witness dock, dressed in his regular court attire of a suit and tie.The jury has been kept out of the room for a little bit this morning, but have now taken their seats. In an encouraging sign, all 15 have returned after the weekend break.Copy link3h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:54amLISTEN: The ABC's daily podcast on the mushroom murder trialJBy Judd BoazTo follow the case day-by-day, you can listen to the details on the ABC's Mushroom Case Daily podcast.Court reporter Kristian Silva and producer Stephen Stockwell are on the ground, bringing you all the key moments from the trial as they unravel in court. From court recaps to behind-the-scenes murder trial explainers, the Mushroom Case Daily podcast is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom. Individual wellingtons, coloured plates, and a false cancer claim - ABC listenCopy linkKey Event3h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:29amWATCH: Recap of the first week of the mushroom murder trialJBy Judd BoazIf you missed the first week of proceedings in the Erin Patterson murder trial, the ABC's Iskhandar Razak will bring you up to speed with this recap.Loading YouTube contentCopy linkKey Event3h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:28amThis is where we're at in the trial so farJBy Judd BoazIt was a dramatic first few days in the murder trial of Erin Patterson, as the prosecution laid out its case against her — and her estranged husband Simon Patterson took to the witness stand.You can catch up on all the details so far in court reporter Kristian Silva's story here:Were Erin Patterson's deadly beef Wellingtons a terrible accident or murder?Copy linkShow more postsPosted 4h ago4 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:09am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:07amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)TimelineRead nextTimelineKey EventsLatestWATCH: Here's what Erin Patterson's trial has heard this morning1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:10amSimon Patterson claims 'inflammatory' message came months later2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 2:11am'I did not say that to Erin': Court hears details of hospital conversation2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:53amFurther scrutiny on state of Erin and Simon's relationship2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:39amSimon Patterson says defence has wrong messages2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:28amGroup chat messages examined2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:27amErin's lack of curiosity about in-laws' health examined by defence2h ago2 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:13amThe scene from inside Courtroom 43h ago3 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 1:03amWATCH: Recap of the first week of the mushroom murder trial3h ago3 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:29amThis is where we're at in the trial so far3h ago3 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:28amTop StoriesLiberals closing gap in Goldstein, Bradfield as postal votes favour CoalitionTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Zoe Daniel looks into the distance at a press conference at Parliament HouseAlbanese says he received 'very warm' phone call from Donald TrumpTopic:Foreign Affairs'Laughable policies': Voters explain what went wrong for CoalitionTopic:ElectionsFirst Canada, then Australia: Trump is toxic for conservatives everywhereAAnalysis by Alan KohlerOutgoing Liberals blast Angus Taylor, party's lack of womenTopic:Liberal Party of AustraliaJust InRevolver nightclub groper avoids jail after assaulting 17 womenTopic:Sexual Offences7m ago7 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 4:05amAlbanese to 'slow the pace' as factions jostle over cabinet reshuffleTopic:Federal Government13m ago13 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 4:00amYouth to drive Popovic's Socceroos, but one rising star is yet to commitTopic:Socceroos29m ago29 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:43amHeritage push for phone box that was lifeline during bushfiresTopic:Information and Communication32m ago32 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 3:40amMore Just InBack to top
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