The jury has begun deliberating in the triple murder trial of Erin Patterson at the Latrobe Valley law courts in Morwell. Justice Christopher Beale concluded his instructions to the jury on Monday.
Patterson, 50, faces charges of murdering her estranged husband Simon Patterson’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson, as well as attempting to murder Simon’s uncle and Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson. The alleged murders occurred after a meal of beef wellington at her house in Leongatha on July 29, 2023. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The jury now has to reach a unanimous verdict on each charge. Two jury members were dismissed right before deliberations started. Deliberations will be conducted behind closed doors to ensure no outside influence.
This marks the 10th week of a supreme court trial that initially was expected to conclude in five to six weeks.
Justice Beale provided detailed instructions over two days, covering the applicable principles of law, the presented evidence, and the importance of reaching a unanimous decision. He also advised the jury to disregard any sympathy for Patterson’s lunch guests and to ignore the extensive media coverage surrounding the case.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/30/erin-patterson-jury-deliberations-mushroom-lunch-trial-australia-ntwnfb
