During the trial, Erin Patterson’s daughter informed the police that she had leftovers from a meal that had caused a tragedy, sharing dinner with her mother and siblings the day after the incident, as revealed in court.
This evidence came to light via a video on Thursday at Patterson’s trial for triple murder.
Patterson, 50, is on trial facing three murder charges and one attempted murder related to a lunch held at her home in Leongatha on July 29, 2023.
She has pleaded not guilty to the accusation of killing or attempting to kill her estranged husband, Simon Patterson.
The charges also include attempts to harm Simon’s parents, Don and Gale Patterson, as well as his aunt, Heather Wilkinson, and uncle, Ian Wilkinson.
Her daughter provided recorded evidence during a police interview on August 16, 2023, though her identity remains protected.
In this interview, she recounted how Patterson was unwell on the morning of July 30, showing signs of illness with stomach pains and frequent trips to the bathroom.
Later that evening, Patterson served her children and herself “leftovers” from the meal, including steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
When questioned about the lunch, the girl admitted, “I don’t know because I wasn’t there,” and she became emotional.
She mentioned that her mother had wanted to have lunch with her grandparents and would discuss “adult things.”
Previously, the court was informed that Patterson had invited her guests to discuss a cancer diagnosis, although records indicated she hadn’t been diagnosed with cancer.
On that same Thursday, nurses testified at the Victorian Supreme Court that Patterson, when compared to others affected at that lunch, seemed to be in relatively better condition, while expressing distress about her treatment with statements like “I don’t want this.”
Cindy Munro, a nurse who attended to Patterson at Leongatha Hospital on July 31, gave testimony during the trial taking place at Latrobe Valley Courthouse in Morwell.
Patterson’s defense has claimed that she unintentionally poisoned a guest with mushrooms in the Beef Wellington dish, whereas the prosecution alleges it was a deliberate act, but they have struggled to provide clear evidence of intent.
Munro noted that Patterson appeared less severely affected compared to Heather and Ian, who required more intensive care.
Munro recalled that regarding her treatment, Patterson expressed many times her reluctance, stating, “I don’t want this,” while also showing anger and crying.
Later in the day, Munro learned that Patterson’s children had leftovers from the same meal, though without the mushrooms.
Patterson reportedly expressed concern about the toxin potentially being present in the meat, fearing it could lead to severe issues for her children.
She was noticeably distressed, worried about the situation and the hassle it could cause, saying her kids didn’t want to be involved.
The court also examined testimonies from other medical professionals who interacted with Patterson when she was admitted to the hospital that morning.
She left shortly after being warned about the risks associated with her alleged condition.
A discharge form indicating her own decision to leave the hospital was presented in court, emphasizing her awareness of her medical condition.
Kylie Ashton, a nursing director, reported that Patterson’s vital signs indicated potential complications and emphasized that timely treatment was crucial.
She arrived at the hospital around 8:05 a.m. and was discharged just five minutes later, despite discussions about the necessity of her stay.
Additionally, police officer Adrian Martinez Vilarovis detailed Patterson’s support when they discussed the retrieval of Beef Wellington leftovers.
Another witness, Tanya Patterson, who is married to Simon’s brother, testified that despite the couple’s separation in 2015, their relationship had been decent until issues regarding child support arose about a year prior to the lunch.
Tanya recounted her visit with Patterson in the hospital while several guests were in critical condition.
She mentioned, “Erin asked me how everyone was,” acknowledging the grim situation of the guests who were in comas at that time.
After her hospital visit, Tanya texted Erin for updates and received thanks in response.
During cross-examination, Tanya conceded that perhaps Patterson was not fully aware of the severity of the conditions of the lunch guests.
She discussed how her husband had advised her not to share any health updates.
The trial, led by Judge Christopher Beale, is ongoing.
