An Australian woman accused of killing three individuals with a lunch laced with toxic mushrooms turned down offers of assistance before serving the meal, the only guest who survived the deadly experience testified in court.
Erin Patterson, 50, faces charges of murdering her estranged husband’s parents and aunt with a poisonous beef Wellington in 2023.
Additionally, she is charged with the attempted murder of Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson, who recovered after an extended hospital stay.
Ms. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to Mr. Wilkinson, Ms. Patterson appeared “reluctant” to allow her guests to explore the pantry prior to dining and declined offers to assist in plating the dish.
“We said grace, and then we started eating,” Mr. Wilkinson told the jury at the Latrobe Valley Law Courts in Morwell, southeast of Melbourne.
Ms. Patterson allegedly infused the beef-and-pastry dish with toxic mushrooms.
Mr. Wilkinson recalled that hours after the meal, he and his wife Heather began to vomit but initially shrugged it off as a “case of gastro”.
They ultimately sought hospital treatment.
Heather, Ms. Patterson’s estranged husband Simon’s aunt, passed away days after the lunch.
Ms. Patterson’s parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, also succumbed after consuming the meal.
Mr. Wilkinson stated he had little recollection of the events following his illness and spent two months recuperating in the hospital.
“When we first met, everything was friendly. There were no arguments or disputes. She just seemed like an ordinary person,” Mr. Wilkinson remarked about Ms. Patterson.
The prosecution contends that Ms. Patterson intentionally poisoned her lunch guests while ensuring she did not ingest the lethal mushrooms herself.
Her defense attorneys argued it was the result of “a terrible accident”.
The trial is projected to last approximately six weeks.
