In a surprising turn of events, Erin Patterson, a 49-year-old Victorian woman accused of fatally poisoning her relatives with mushrooms in a beef Wellington, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In a strategic legal move, her attorneys have opted to fast-track the case to the state's highest court. This decision could see the trial commencing as early as next year, speeding up the judicial process and potentially leading to a quicker resolution of this high-profile case.
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00:00 In court, via video link, accused triple murderer Erin Patterson laid her cards on the table,
00:08 formally declaring her innocence.
00:10 "Not guilty, your honour," she said.
00:13 A four-word plea to eight charges, paving the way for one of the most high-profile Victorian
00:18 murder trials in recent memory.
00:21 Today Miss Patterson faced the La Trobe Valley Magistrates Court in Morwell, wearing a blue
00:25 prison jumper and with her hair tied back.
00:28 She opted to have the case fast-tracked to the Supreme Court, shaving about 12 months
00:33 off the legal process.
00:35 Magistrate Tim Walsh commented that police had compiled a large brief of evidence and
00:39 it was a case that demanded the state's top lawyers.
00:43 Miss Patterson is accused of serving four of her relatives a lunch laced with death
00:47 cap mushrooms at her Leongatha home last year.
00:51 Her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail's sister, Heather, died in
00:56 hospital days after the lunch.
00:59 Heather's husband, local church pastor Ian Wilkinson, pulled through after a stint in
01:04 hospital.
01:05 Miss Patterson has always protested her innocence.
01:09 "I'm devastated.
01:10 I love them."
01:12 The mother of two is facing three murder charges stemming from the fateful meal and five attempted
01:18 murder charges.
01:19 One for Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch, and four for her estranged husband Simon,
01:24 dating back to 2021 in four different locations.
01:29 The case now moves here to the Supreme Court in Melbourne.
01:32 But before a trial can begin, there's still a lot that needs to be worked out, including
01:36 the final witness list and decisions about whether certain pieces of evidence can be
01:41 presented to the jury.
01:43 And that jury of regular community members will determine whether Miss Patterson is innocent
01:48 or guilty.
01:49 The trial could take place next year.
01:51 For now, Erin Patterson remains in a women's prison as her legal team plans her defence.
01:56 [BLANK_AUDIO]