On her last gruelling day on the stand in the murder trial that has gripped Australia, Erin Patterson faced three succinct questions from the prosecutor.
She put it to Patterson that she had deliberately sourced death cap mushrooms in 2023, deliberately included them in the beef Wellington she served her former in-laws; and did so intending to kill them.
Patterson uttered three words: Disagree. Disagree. Disagree.
She is accused of killing her former husband’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson. They took seriously ill after eating the lunch and died a few days later. Wilkinson’s husband, Ian, was hospitalised but survived. She has maintained her innocence since her arrest in 2023. She says the deaths were accidental.
All the evidence has now been heard, and deliberations will now begin.
John Ferguson, associate editor with The Australian, broke the story in August 2023. He came on the podcast then to outline the events; now he’s back with details from the court.
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.