The photos, the recordings: What the jury saw and heard in the mushroom trial
For the first time, we’re bringing you a look at the key exhibits and moments that defined Erin Patterson’s murder trial.
By Erin Pearson
Leftovers of the fatal beef Wellington lunch served by Erin Patterson.Credit: Supreme Court of Victoria
They are the videos, photographs, receipts and text messages that built a mountain of evidence too high for Erin Patterson to climb.
As she left court a convicted murderer on Monday, parts of the evidence the prosecution collected were released to the press for the first time.
There was her police interview. Then the CCTV footage of Patterson arriving with what she told staff was diarrhoea, sporting white pants, before leaving Leongatha Hospital in under 10 minutes.
Then there was the triple-zero call a panicked doctor made when he realised Patterson had left the hospital. The medic was so concerned that Patterson also may have eaten death cap mushrooms that he called the police, asking them to track her down.
Next was the CCTV footage of the killer walking into the Caldermeade BP a day after the lunch, again wearing white pants. She told the jury she had just defecated on the side of the road and needed to drop off dirty tissues in a bin.
After she was released from hospital, the killer also dumped a food dehydrator, with traces of poison still in it, at the local tip. A receipt was released to the press alongside photographs of the kitchen appliance.
Also released for the first time on Monday were screenshots of messages from a Patterson family group chat, the toxicology results of those who died from the lunch meal Erin Patterson cooked, and phone records the prosecution used to place her in areas they say death caps grew.
The prosecution had argued the dumping of the dehydrator was significant, demonstrating planning around the time of the lunch and an intent to cover up her sinister crimes.
The kitchen appliance was found by police at the Koonwarra tip thanks to a member of the homicide squad who discovered a transaction on the 50-year-old’s bank statement.
Testing later uncovered traces of death cap mushroom toxins, and was used to show the jury the deadly mushrooms were in the lunch meal.
Pictures of the dehydrator at the tip and other images of it taken by Patterson at her home were shown to the jury during the trial.
Jurors were also shown Signal messages the prosecution said demonstrated a deterioration in the relationship between Patterson and her in-laws, specifically in the eight months leading up to the lunch.
While the defence argued the issue had been swiftly ironed out, the prosecution said there was clearly tension among the family before the fatal lunch.
CCTV footage of Patterson’s arrival at Leongatha Hospital two days after the lunch, about 8am on July 31, 2023, showed her walking through the front doors and into a waiting area where she spoke briefly with staff.
The prosecution argued she was made aware that she may have eaten death cap mushrooms yet still left, telling staff she had things to do. She later returned for treatment for what she alleged was gastro. The prosecution said she was feigning her symptoms and knew she had never eaten the deadly meal.
Photo of the beef Wellington leftovers
Jurors were shown images of the leftovers from the fatal beef Wellington lunch, known as “Exhibit 26” and “Exhibit 15”. They included annotated photos taken during toxicology analysis at Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Beef Wellington leftovers, recovered from Erin Patterson’s bin.Credit: Supreme Court of Victoria
Photo of Erin Patterson dropping dehydrator at the tip
A still from CCTV footage of Erin Patterson dumping a dehydrator at Koonwarra waste station on August 2, 2023, was among exhibits shown to the jury.Credit: Supreme Court of Victoria
‘She just got up and left?’: The triple-zero recording
The triple-zero recording Dr Chris Webster made after Erin Patterson discharged herself against medical advice from Leongatha Hospital on July 31, 2023.
Erin Patterson at Leongatha Hospital
The jury was shown CCTV footage of Erin Patterson at Leongatha Hospital on July 31, 2023.
Mushrooms dehydrating in Erin Patterson’s home
A photo from one of Erin Patterson’s seized electronic devices of mushrooms dehydrating on scales in her home.
Mushrooms dehydrating on scales in Erin Patterson’s home, in a photo exhibit to the court.Credit: Supreme Court of Victoria
First photos of where the lunch was held
Photo of Erin Patterson’s dining and kitchen area, where she served the beef Wellingtons to her lunch guests Don and Gail Patterson, and Ian and Heather Wilkinson.
‘I feel very hurt’: Signal messages between Erin Patterson and her estranged husband
‘Love Gail and Don’: Signal messages from Erin Patterson and her in-laws
‘It is uncomfortable and awkward’: Signal messages between Erin Patterson, her in-laws and her estranged husband
‘I cannot pay that, I’m afraid’: Text messages between Erin Patterson and Simon Patterson
The former husband and wife exchanged messages about payments for out-of-pocket medical fees for their son. Erin asked Simon to pay the fee; he replied that he could not do so.
‘I heard something snap’: Message between Erin Patterson and her father-in-law
‘The best mum-in-law’: Signal Messages between Erin Patterson and Gail Patterson
Photos taken by police during a search of Erin Patterson’s home
Record of Erin Patterson’s visits to the Koonwarra tip
Notices of agreed facts
Legal documents in which the parties involved formally acknowledge and agree to the truth of certain facts.