Accused killer Erin Patterson.
Share and Follow

Jurors deciding mushroom cook Erin Patterson’s fate will start their first full day of deliberations on whether she is guilty of triple murder.

The jury retired to consider its verdict on Monday afternoon as the Victorian Supreme Court trial reached its 10th week.

It will be up to the 12 jurors to decide whether Patterson, 50, intentionally served her lunch guests beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms.

Accused killer Erin Patterson.
Accused killer Erin Patterson. (Anita Lester)

Her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister Heather, all died after consuming the lunch at Patterson’s regional Victorian home on July 29, 2023.

Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson also ate the meal but survived after spending months in hospital.

Patterson claims it was all an accident and has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one charge of attempted murder.

The jury heard from more than 50 prosecution witnesses throughout the trial before Patterson entered the witness box for eight days.

The prosecution and defence then spent a week delivering their closing arguments, before Justice Christopher Beale provided his directions to the jury.

He said the jurors needed to consider whether the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt Patterson deliberately served death caps with the intention to kill her guests.

Don and Gail Patterson. (Supplied)

Justice Beale reminded the jurors if they held any doubts about Patterson’s guilt, they must acquit her.

“You cannot be satisfied that the accused is guilty of an offence if you have a reasonable doubt if she is guilty of the offence,” he told the jury on Monday.

The jury is being sequestered during the deliberations and will have to remain together until unanimous verdicts are reached on all charges.

Justice Beale reiterated that every juror must agree on the verdict, although it did not matter how each person reached their conclusion.

The jury can deliver its verdicts any time from 10.30am to 4.15pm on Monday through to Saturday.

The jurors will still be sequestered on Sunday if they have not reached a verdict, but they will not have to deliberate.

Justice Beale reminded the jurors they cannot return home until their unanimous decision.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Windsor, UK - April 2018: Royal Windsor castle in Berkshire

The British royal family is set to receive approximately $180 million in financial support from the government.

The British Royal Household released its financial statement on Monday, revealing that…

A new homeowner in Melbourne discovered a detailed model train layout hidden beneath their house

Key Points After finalising the purchase of a home in Melbourne’s northern…
Israeli strike kills 30 at cafe popular for co-working, official says

Israeli airstrike at cafe known for co-working results in 30 fatalities, as reported by an official.

More than 30 people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike that…

Some Australians who missed out on our excellent pension system are feeling envious.

Is super fairly providing for all Australians in retirement? With legislative changes…
Sarah Waters

New program launched today to screen for cancer and save thousands of lives

Lung cancer kills more Australians than any other type of cancer, and…
Stranded dolphin rescued from shallow water on NSW coast

Dolphin saved after getting stuck in shallow water off NSW shore

A bottlenose dolphin has been rescued by the team from Sea World…

Weather forecast for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

Parts of Australia will cop severe weather this week, with the Bureau…
Two guests, said to be a father and his young daughter, have been rescued by crew after going into the water while onboard the Disney Dream cruise ship as it returned from a voyage around the Bahamas.

A father and his daughter saved after falling from a Disney cruise ship

Two guests, said to be a father and his young daughter, have…