Overview

• Patterson accepted that death cap mushrooms were present in the beef Wellington she served, saying most came from supermarkets but may have been contaminated by dehydrated foraged fungi.
• She recounted developing a passion for wild mushroom foraging during the 2020 COVID lockdown and purchasing a dehydrator that she later discarded after the fatal lunch.
• The defence maintains the poisoning was accidental, noting Patterson ate the same meal and experienced only mild stomach upset.
• Patterson tearfully regretted expletive-filled Facebook messages disparaging her in-laws, insisting her anger at her estranged husband did not mean she intended to harm them.
• The six-week trial in Victoria’s Supreme Court continues on Wednesday as Patterson is set to resume her testimony on the events of the lunch.