‘What is a computer?’: Erin Patterson’s mushroom murder trial shown PowerPoint presentation

“What is a computer?”: Jurors in Erin Patterson’s triple-murder trial have viewed a PowerPoint presentation on digital forensics.

Jurors in Erin Patterson’s triple-murder trial have been shown a PowerPoint presentation explaining what digital forensics is.

The 14-member jury returned to the courtroom at 12.35pm and were told by Justice Christopher Beale that the morning’s delay was explained by parties dealing with an “issue”.

“We’ve been dealing with an issue this morning and that might occupy some more time this afternoon, but we’ll press on with some witnesses,” he said.

Victoria Police senior digital forensic officer Sharmen Fox-Henry was called to give evidence, explaining to the jury that he worked for the cybercrime squad to extract and analyse data from electronic devices.

Jurors began to view a presentation created by Mr Fox-Henry on digital forensics.

The first slide was titled “what is a computer?” before the presentation moved on to outline how police dealt with electronic devices.

Erin Patterson in her red MG car. Picture: NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

Mr Fox-Henry explained how forensic officers could create a digital clone of an electronic device to provide to investigators to comb through for anything relevant using keywords.

He told the jury that the individual data points were known as “artifacts” and could be analysed by recovery software.

Ms Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty to the murder of three of her husband Simon Patterson’s relatives and the attempted murder of another after a fatal beef wellington lunch on July 29, 2023.

Mr Fox-Henry will continue giving evidence when the trial resumes at 2.15pm.

9s bathroom visit on camera

CCTV of Ms Patterson’s nine-second bathroom break a day after hosting the fatal mushroom lunch has been shown to the jury.

In the footage, Ms Patterson arrives at the petrol station in her red MG car and makes a beeline for the bathroom wearing a grey long-sleeved top and white pants.

She leaves the rest room nine seconds later before spending about two minutes roaming the store picking items before paying and leaving.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, homicide squad detective Senior Constable Khuong Tran said he attended the petrol station to obtain the videos on August 28 as part of a police probe into the deaths.

Shortly after the CCTV was played, Constable Tran was stood down from the witness box and the jury was sent home for the day about 45 minutes early after prosecutor Jane Warren said a “matter” had been raised that needed to be sorted out.

She is accused of deliberately poisoning four members of Simon Patterson’s family. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

Ms Patterson is facing trial accused of murdering her husband Simon Patterson’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson with a poisoned beef Wellington served on July 29, 2023.

She is also accused of attempting to murder Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, with her defence arguing the poisonings were not deliberate.

At the start of the trial, Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC told the jury it was alleged the morning after the lunch, Ms Patterson told her children she’d been sick all night.

“She said she then experienced diarrhoea later that evening, occurring every 20 minutes and lasting all night,” Dr Rogers said.

That afternoon, the jury was told, Ms Patterson drove her teenage son to Tyabb – about a 90 minute drive away – for a flying lesson.

Nanette Rogers SC is leading the prosecution of Ms Patterson. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

On the journey, she stopped at a BP service station in Caldermeade, where Ms Patterson purchased sour confectionery, a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich and a sweet chilli chicken wrap after stepping into the bathroom for nine seconds.

About 20 minutes later, the jury was told, the flight instructor called Ms Patterson, cancelling the lesson due to bad weather.

They were close to Tyabb, but she turned around and drove back to Leongatha.

“They drove without any indication from the accused that she needed to use the toilet,” Dr Rogers said.

“At no stage during the whole trip did the accused use a toilet or indicate that she needed to use a toilet.”

Her defence have argued the poisonings were unintentional. Picture: NewsWire / Paul Tyquin

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

Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson both died on August 5 of death cap mushroom poisoning while Don Patterson died the following day.

Ian Wilkinson slowly recovered and was discharged from hospital in mid September.

Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson deliberately spiked the lunch with “murderous intent”, while her defence argues the case is a “tragic accident”.

The trial continues.

Originally published as ‘What is a computer?’: Erin Patterson’s mushroom murder trial shown PowerPoint presentation