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Erin Patterson's Trial Begins Over Fatal Mushroom Poisonings

Prosecutors allege a premeditated plan involving death cap mushrooms at a family lunch, as the accused pleads not guilty to murder and attempted murder charges.

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Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court building in Morwell, where an Australian woman is accused of murdering three people with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington
Journalists outside a court building in Morwell, where an Australian woman is being tried for the alleged murder of three people with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington
A handout sketch from the Supreme Court of Victoria of Erin Patterson, an Australian woman accused of murdering three people with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington

Overview

  • Erin Patterson is on trial in Victoria's Supreme Court, charged with murdering three relatives and attempting to kill a fourth by serving beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms in July 2023.
  • Prosecutors allege Patterson fabricated an ovarian cancer diagnosis to isolate her children and justify their absence from the lunch.
  • Charges of attempted murder against Patterson's estranged husband were dropped ahead of the trial, with the focus now on the poisoning of her in-laws and their relatives.
  • Testimony revealed that one victim noticed Patterson eating from a different plate than her guests, raising suspicions about her actions during the meal.
  • The trial is expected to last six weeks, with Patterson maintaining her not-guilty plea and facing a potential life sentence if convicted.