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
Kerrie-Anne Graf's son had a severe reaction to a 'black henna' tattoo in Bali.

Mother from Australia advises caution after son has bad reaction to inexpensive henna tattoo in Bali

A Sydney mother has shared a warning after her son had a…
A Bupa health insurance sign.

Bupa facing hefty fines for deceiving numerous customers

Bupa has apologised and agreed to pay a $35 million fine for…
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…
Newtown crash leaves five injured

Man accused of causing injuries to a family in a fast-paced accident in Sydney

Security footage has captured a high-speed crash which injured a family of…
Tammy Hembrow puts on a brave face while sightseeing in Queenstown with half-brother Max Thynne and three kids - after marriage breakdown with Matt Zukowski

Tammy Hembrow explores Queenstown with half-brother and children after split with Matt Zukowski

Tammy Hembrow has been spotted putting on a brave face in New…
Former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas to fight NSW Police in court over events at pro-Palestine protest

Former Greens Candidate Injured in Protest Clash Prompts Critical Incident Declaration

A critical incident has been declared by NSW Police after former Greens…

Weather forecast for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

Parts of Australia will cop severe weather this week, with the Bureau…
Tammy Hembrow's ex and baby daddy Matt Poole appears to take a swipe at fitness influencer following her split from husband Matt Zukowski

Matt Poole, Tammy Hembrow’s former partner and father of her child, seemingly criticizes a fitness influencer after her separation from husband Matt Zukowski.

Matt Poole appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at his ex,…