Here’s a recap of what the jury heard today
The trial has been adjourned for the day. Here is a recap of what the jury heard on day 22 of Patterson’s trial:
The defence showed the court a more detailed record of Facebook group messages between Patterson and her online friends from December 2022. In one message, Jenny Hay, who previously testified in the trial, messaged the group: “What morons!”. She was responding to Patterson saying her in-laws told her they would not adjudicate a dispute between her and husband Simon. Patterson’s lawyer, Colin Mandy SC, said the wider context of the messages showed the group members were venting about issues in their lives.
The defence told the court the child seen in CCTV footage from Subway in Leongatha hours after the lunch was not Patterson’s son. Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall, the officer in charge of the investigation, rejected this, saying he believed it was Patterson’s son and that it was a “matter for the jury”.
Mandy questioned Eppingstall about devices police did not seize from Patterson’s home. Eppingstall rejected a suggestion by Mandy that a photo showed a Samsung mobile, dubbed “Phone A”, that police said was never located. He said if the device was a phone it would have been seized by police.
Updated
Court adjourns for the day
Justice Christopher Beale has told the jury the court will adjourn slightly earlier today.
The trial is expected to resume from 10.30am tomorrow.
