The reason why Erin Patterson is accused of murdering her in-laws with a poisonous beef Wellington is to be finally revealed.
Patterson, 50, is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, with deathcap mushrooms served in the pastry dish during a lunch at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only one to survive the deadly lunch, with an attempted murder charge related to his alleged poisoning also in play.
Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and on Wednesday will appear in the Supreme Court of Victoria, sitting in Morwell, 155km east of Melbourne, where she is in the process of hearing opening addresses.
The jury has already heard three attempted murder charges related to her estranged husband Simon Patterson were withdrawn last week.
In opening the trial, Crown prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers will spend much of Wednesday morning taking the jury through all of the reasons why they believe they ought find her guilty on all of the charges.
Patterson’s barrister Colin Mandy SC will then be provided a brief opportunity to explain his client’s case.
More than 100 witnesses will give evidence at the trial, including Simon Patterson and Mr Wilkinson.
Erin Patterson as she appeared outside court just weeks ago
Simon Patterson will give evidence at the trial
On Tuesday, Justice Beale began his opening address to the jury, who had been meticulously selected from a jury pool of 120 people.
While 15 jurors are taking part in the full trial, which is expected to take anywhere up to six weeks, only 12 will decide Patterson’s fate.
A ballot will be held before the jury retires to consider its verdict, with three to be ejected without any input.
The additional jurors are selected as a back-up should any juror fall ill or need to be discharged during the lengthy trial process.
As the trial gets underway, more than 50 reporters from across the globe have descended on Morwell which is located about 60km from Patterson’s home town in Leongatha, in Victoria’s South Gippsland region.
True crime podcasters and documentary crews have also converged on the town, which is located among lush green fields and has a population of under 15,000.
Daily Mail Australia and a team of journalists will be on the ground in Morwell covering every minute of the case, with stories to appear daily online.
A podcast spearheaded by a top team of international Daily Mail journalists will accompany Daily Mail Australia’s coverage.
Heather and Ian Wilkinson in happier times. Mr Wilkinson survived the deadly lunch
Don and Gail Patterson both died after the lunch
