Overview

• The panel was narrowed from 14 to 12 members by ballot after Justice Christopher Beale finished his final charge last week.
• Deliberations cover three murder charges for the deaths of Don and Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson, plus one attempted murder count for Ian Wilkinson.
• Prosecutors contend Patterson foraged and concealed death cap mushrooms in individual beef Wellingtons to kill her estranged husband’s relatives and then destroyed evidence and lied.
• The defence argues the inclusion of the toxic fungi was an accidental pantry mix-up and that Patterson’s false statements about illness and equipment stemmed from panic, not intent.
• Jurors must reach unanimous verdicts beyond reasonable doubt on each count while sequestered, with a potential life sentence if she is convicted.