Erin Patterson’s pleads not guilty in mushroom poisoning case

Erin Patterson, charged with three counts of mushroom murder and trying to kill her husband, firmly declares her innocence.

A court sketch of Erin Patterson during her court appearance via video link from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.

Erin Patterson, the woman charged with three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder after serving up a deadly mushroom laced luncheon at her Leongatha home last year has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Defence barrister Colin Mandy, SC, said his client had elected to have the matter fast-tracked to a higher court, avoiding the need for a committal hearing.

Appearing via video link from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre Ms Patterson answered “not guilty, your Honour” to all charges against her as they were read out at Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court by Magistrate Tim Walsh.

Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court where Erin Patterson was back in court via video link. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josie Hayden

Wearing a blue prison jumper and black glasses, Ms Patterson stared straight into the camera, hands folded in front of her, and only spoke when answering Mr Walsh.

The eight charges laid against the 49-year-old are the murders of former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson.

As well as one charge for the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson and four charges of attempted murder against her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, himself.

The three deaths occurred after the victims ate a beef wellington, allegedly containing death cap mushrooms, prepared by Ms Patterson at her home on 29 July 2023.

The same meal also left Ian Wilkinson 70 fighting for life and hospitalised for close to two months before he was discharged.

The other four attempted murder charges against her ex-husband include the deadly lunch in Leongatha, where Mr Patterson was first meant to attend, as well as further attempts at Korumburra in 2021, and Howqua and Wilsons Promontory in 2022.

Mr Walsh also wanted to clear up confusion from a previous court date of the accused killer that Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court would not be able to hear the committal hearing this year.

Colin Mandy SC, defence counsel for Erin Patterson. Picture: Supplied

He instead reiterated to gathered media that it came down to there being no available dates that suited Ms Patterson’s high profile lawyer Mr Mandy.

“What was not said but was known to the parties (at the previous court date) was that the court was advised on April 11 that Mr Mandy’s availability for hearing this year was limited to between August 19 and September 13,” he said.

“There is no criticism of anybody, this matter demands Senior Counsel … I just wanted to make that quite clear.”

A directions hearing was set for 9am on May 23 at the Supreme Court of Melbourne.

Preliminary hearings at the Supreme Court cannot be reported on by the media, meaning until the case goes to trial there will likely be little more to learn.