Major triple-homicide mushroom trial enters final weeks

A trial over whether a poisoned beef Wellington was deliberately served to four people with murderous intent is entering its final weeks as it continues to make international headlines.

Erin Patterson, 50, will face her fourth week of a Supreme Court trial on Monday, which is being held in the town of Morwell about two hours’ drive from Melbourne.

Fifteen jurors had been initially selected for the trial but this was cut down to 14 on Thursday after Justice Christopher Beale dismissed a juror for potentially discussing the case with family or friends.

The jury will be further whittled down to 12 by the end of the trial, who will be sequestered to decide whether Patterson is guilty of three murders and one attempted murder, or it was all a terrible accident.

Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all offences brought against her.

Family of Don and Gail Patterson, 70, and Heather Wilkinson, 66, who all died after consuming a death cap mushroom-laced beef Wellington at Patterson’s home in 2023 have attended every day of the trial.

The sole survivor of the lunch, Ian Wilkinson, 71, has sat in the second row of the court for most days since he gave evidence in the second week.

The jury last week heard from toxicologists who tested remains from the beef Wellington - which police seized from a bin at Patterson’s home - and found toxins from death cap mushrooms.

The factors that can make death cap mushroom consumption lethal were also revealed to be age, weight, tolerance and dosage, the jury was told.

The trial before Justice Christopher Beale will resume on Monday.