Here’s a recap of what the jury heard on day 29 of Erin Patterson’s trial:
1. Under cross-examination, Patterson denied she was thinking of ways to cover her tracks after she discharged herself from Leongatha hospital against medical advice two days after the lunch.
2. Patterson disputed evidence by Ian Wilkinson, the sole lunch guest survivor, that she served the beef wellingtons for her guests on large grey plates and her own on a smaller orangey-tan coloured plate. Patterson said there was “no smaller plate”.
3. Patterson denied she made a sixth poisoned beef wellington for her estranged husband, Simon, in case he attended the lunch.
4. Patterson rejected the evidence of multiple witnesses including medical staff. This included disputing evidence by Leongtha hospital nurse Cindy Munro that Patterson said she did not want her children involved when staff said they needed to undergo medical testing.
5. Patterson recalled feeling “anxious” when medical staff at Leongatha hospital raised the possibility of death cap mushroom poisoning on 31 July 2023 – two days after the lunch. “I was anxious at the idea that we may have eaten those things [death caps],” she said.
We’ll be back for more coverage at 10.30am tomorrow. Thanks for following along.
Updated
The court has adjourned for the day.
