Erin Patterson: Husband Simon Patterson returns to witness box for mushroom murder trial

The estranged husband of alleged mushroom killer Erin Patterson has again teared up in the witness box as a video was played.

The estranged husband of Erin Patterson has again teared up in the witness box on Friday morning as a video was played in her triple-murder trial.

Simon Patterson is facing cross-examination by Ms Patterson’s barrister Colin Mandy SC before the Latrobe Valley Supreme Court.

Mr Mandy played a video taken 12 days before the fatal lunch that killed three people, depicting Mr Patterson’s son and father, Don Patterson, conducting a “science experiment”.

The pair ignite a “rocket car” in a backyard.

“Oh, it’s working but why isn’t it going,” Mr Patterson’s mother Gail Patterson says in the recording.

Mr Patterson teared up and gave a big exhale as the footage was played, grabbing a tissue.
He confirmed his son and his father had a close relationship and the boy was being tutored by the former schoolteacher.

Simon Patterson described Ms Patterson as a devoted mother to their two children. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

Court sketch of Erin Patterson in the Latrobe Valley Supreme Court. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Tyquin

Mr Patterson faced extensive questioning as the first witness to be called on Thursday, first by Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC and later by Mr Mandy.

For much of the day’s hearing, Mr Patterson answered the hundreds of questions in a calm and measured approach, but his voice began to falter and his eyes began to tear up as the topic turned to the first time he saw his parents in hospital.

He reached for the tissue box and blew his nose as he described seeing them both in the Korumburra Hospital the morning of July 30, 2023.

“Dad was substantially worse than Mum. He was really struggling,” he said.

“He was lying on his side, he was hunched quite noticeably. A really discoloured face … speaking was an effort and taking the energy to speak was an effort.
“His voice was strained in a way that was, he wasn’t right inside. He was feeling pain.”

Jessica O Donnell and Simon Patterson arrive to the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court in Morwell, Victoria, Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Don and Gail Patterson died within a day of each other. Picture: Supplied

Friends and Family of the deceased arrive to the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court in Morwell, Victoria, Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Gail and Mr Patterson’s aunt Heather Wilkinson both died from multiple organ failure due to amanita poisoning on August 4.

Don died the following day from the same poisoning, while Ms Wilkinson’s husband Ian gradually recovered and was discharged on September 11.

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson deliberately poisoned the quartet with “murderous intent” after serving a beef wellington lunch containing death cap mushrooms at her home on July 29.

Ms Patterson, however, contends she did not intentionally nor deliberately poison her in-laws but accepts there were death cap mushrooms in the meal.

She has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

The trial continues.

Originally published as Erin Patterson: Husband Simon Patterson returns to witness box for mushroom murder trial