Erin Patterson trial: Prosecution expected to deliver closing remarks to jury

Prosecutors in the trial of alleged death cap mushroom poisoner Erin Patterson have highlighted four “deceptions” they say sit at the heart of their case.

Ms Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder relating to a lunch she hosted for members of her estranged husband Simon Patterson’s family members on July 29, 2023.

Simon’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, died from death cap mushroom poisoning after eating a beef wellington at a lunch hosted by the alleged killer.

A fourth guest, Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, recovered after also falling critically ill.

Prosecutors allege she deliberately poisoned the meal with death caps, while Ms Patterson’s defence say it was a tragic accident and she did not intentionally poison anyone.

Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC began her closing address on Monday morning by telling the jury Ms Patterson alone orchestrated the July 29, 2023, lunch to “devastating effect”.

“What other reasonable possibility can explain why all the lunch guests became so ill … while the accused did not,” she said.

Dr Rogers pointed to four deceptions she alleged were enacted by Ms Patterson.

The first was a cancer claim allegedly used to explain the purpose of the invitation, second was the lethal dose of poison “secreted” in the meal, third was Ms Patterson allegedly faking illness herself, and the last was a sustained cover up to “conceal the truth”.

What’s next in mushroom murder trial

Jurors in the trial were sent home early for the week last Thursday, when Ms Patterson’s time in the witness box drew to a close after eight days of evidence.

At the time, trial judge Justice Christopher Beale said he was required to have legal discussions with prosecution and defence counsel in their absence.

“All right. Well, ladies and gentlemen, that’s the completion of the evidence in this case,” Justice Beale said.

“We have reached a point where I have to, I am required to have certain discussions … they could take a while, so I am not going to have you just sitting out there.”

The judge earlier outlined to the jury how he expected the rest of the trial would play out.

He told jurors that after Ms Patterson’s evidence concluded and the legal discussions were had, the trial would proceed to closing addresses from the prosecution and defence.

“After all the evidence is completed, we will then hear closing addresses from the prosecution and defence,” Justice Beale said.

“Each of those closing addresses could take a couple of days, which could see out that week.

“And then my final directions to you, which involves three parts: giving you directions about legal principles that apply in this case, which takes quite a bit of time; identifying for you the key issues in the case and summarising for you the evidence and arguments in relation to those issues; that also takes a fair time.”

The trial, now in its eighth week, continues.