This week marks the halfway point of the six-week triple murder trial of Erin Patterson in the Victorian Supreme Court.
Patterson is accused of poisoning four people with death cap mushrooms, killing three.
Mycologists (mushroom experts), toxicologists, doctors, and a child services worker gave evidence in court this week, and a juror was dismissed.
Patterson maintains her innocence and has pleaded not guilty.
Poisoning
In July 2023, Erin Patterson hosted her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and her husband’s aunt and uncle, Heather and Ian Wilkinson, for lunch.
Patterson served individual beef Wellingtons, which she said contained dried mushrooms.
Following the meal, all four guests became critically ill. Don, Gail, and Heather died, while Ian spent several weeks in hospital.
Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Experts
This week, the court heard from mycologist Dr Tom May, who told the court that death cap mushrooms are found across Victoria, including near Erin Patterson’s home.
Sightings of death cap mushrooms in the area were recorded on iNaturalist.com, including by May himself in 2023.
Prosecutors have suggested Patterson visited areas where death cap mushrooms were spotted after they were posted on iNaturalist.
May said it is possible to mistake one mushroom for another if you are foraging for them in the wild.
Fellow mycologist Dr Camille Truong told the court she analysed leftovers of the lunch sent to her by health services under a microscope and did not find evidence of death caps.
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However, Victoria’s chief toxicologist Dr Dimitri Gerostamoulos said that when he analysed the leftovers in a forensic lab, death cap mushroom toxins were detected in the leftovers.
Gerostamoulos also said death cap mushroom toxins had been found in a food dehydrator, which Erin Patterson was seen throwing into the tip on CCTV.
A third expert also found death cap mushroom toxins in the dehydrator.
The court also heard from an intensive care specialist, Professor Andrew Bersten, who found Erin Patterson appeared healthy following the lunch.
Bersten said medical notes indicated Erin Patterson did not appear to have death cap mushroom poisoning.
Child worker
The court also heard from child protection worker Katrina Cripps, who spoke to Erin and her children after the Pattersons and Wilkinsons were hospitalised.
Cripps gave evidence that Erin Patterson told her that her estranged husband had been “controlling” and “emotionally abusive” to her.
Cripps also told the court Erin told her she ate around “half” of her individual serve of the beef Wellington lunch.
Juror dismissed
On Thursday, Justice Christopher Beale discharged a juror following reports they had discussed the case with family and friends.
Jurors are only allowed to talk about the case with other jury members to ensure a fair trial.
This trial began with a jury of 15 people, in case of jurors being dismissed or being unable to continue the trial.
At the end of the trial, two of the remaining 14 will be randomly chosen to leave, leaving 12 to consider their verdict.
