Overview

• After seven weeks of testimony from more than 50 witnesses, the trial concluded with defense counsel Colin Mandy arguing that Patterson unintentionally included death cap mushrooms from a mixed-foraging error.
• Prosecutors highlighted alleged recipe deviations, the disposal of a dehydrator containing death cap residue, and a pattern of false statements to support intentional poisoning charges.
• Justice Christopher Beale instructed jurors to return refreshed after a four-day break before delivering a two-day charge to their 14-member panel next Tuesday.
• The jury will be sequestered throughout deliberations to determine whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Patterson intended to kill her relatives.
• A unanimous verdict is required on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder for the deadly July 29, 2023 beef Wellington lunch in Leongatha.