Australia prepares for verdict in mushroom murders

25/6/2025 12:09

The trial of an Australian woman accused of murdering three of her estranged husband's elderly relatives using toxic mushrooms entered its final stages on Wednesday, with the jury soon to begin its deliberations in a case that has gripped the nation.



Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with the murders of her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband, in July 2023.



The prosecution accuses her of foraging for poisonous death cap mushrooms and knowingly adding them to individual portions of Beef Wellington that she served to her guests at her home in Leongatha.



Patterson denies the charges, which carry a life sentence, with her defence calling the deaths a "terrible accident".



Justice Christopher Beale, the presiding judge, began his second day of instructions to the jury on Wednesday at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court in Morwell.



Beale has said the process will take until at least the end of the day, meaning the 14-member jury will retire to consider their verdict on Thursday at the earliest. Their decision must be unanimous.