Erin Patterson trial: Patterson lied in police interview, judge tells jury
Alleged mushroom poisoner Erin Patterson has admitted she told a series of lies to police, the judge overseeing the trial has told the jury.
Continuing his summing up of the arguments and evidence in the case, Justice Christopher Beale turned to Ms Patterson’s lies during her recorded interview with police on August 5, 2023.
These were: she lied about never foraging for mushrooms, she lied about not owning a dehydrator, she lied about never dehydrating foods and lied by saying she may have owned a dehydrator years ago.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In the witness box, the judge said Ms Patterson had admitted these lies but explained that she “probably knew” police would immediately suspect her in the poisoning event.
“She said it was a stupid knee-jerk reaction to dig deeper and she was scared,” Justice Beale said.
Justice Beale told jurors that prosecutors had argued these could be used as incriminating conduct or implied admissions of guilt.
The judge said Ms Patterson’s defence had referenced an alleged conversation with her husband on August 1 where he accused her of poisoning his parents.
Simon Patterson denies that this occurred.
Justice Beale said defence barrister Colin Mandy SC argued this alleged conversation was a “turning point” where Ms Patterson began panicking, fearing she would be wrongly blamed.
“It’s not incrimination conduct, she starts panicking, she starts lying,” he said. Mr Mandy argued.
Ms Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder relating to a beef wellington lunch she hosted on July 29, 2023, with members of her estranged husband’s family.
Simon Patterson’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, died from death cap mushroom poisoning in the week following the lunch.
Ms Wilkinson’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, also fell critically ill but recovered after about a month and a half in hospital.
Prosecutors allege Ms Patterson intentionally sourced and included death cap mushrooms in the lunch, intending to kill or seriously injure her guests.
Her defence argues that she did not intend to harm anyone, and the case is a tragic accident.
On Thursday, Justice Beale advised jurors they would be sent out to deliberate a verdict following the conclusion of his address on Monday next week.
The trial continues.
Originally published as Erin Patterson trial: Judge tells jury alleged mushroom poisoner admitted lies
