Day 12 summary
Here’s a recap of what the jury heard on day 12 of Erin Patterson’s murder trial:
A juror has been discharged from the trial. Justice Christopher Beale told the jury he had received information the juror had been discussing the case with family and friends “contrary to my instructions”. The dismissal means 14 jurors remain on Patterson’s trial.
A child protection worker told the court Erin Patterson described her estranged husband, Simon, as “nasty”, “controlling” and “emotionally abusive”, and believed he was isolating her from his parents. The comments were made by Patterson on 1 August 2023 – three days after the deadly lunch, the court heard.
The child protection worker, Katrina Cripps, says Patterson did not respond when she asked her if she had foraged mushrooms used in the lethal beef wellington. Cripps says she asked this while conducting a home visit at Patterson’s house on 2 August. Patterson was on her phone at this time, the court hears.
Don Patterson and Ian Wilkinson tested positive for death cap mushroom toxins, which were found in their urine samples. Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson tested negative for the toxins.
Erin Patterson and her two children tested negative for death cap mushroom toxins.
Remnants of the lunch meal and debris from the dehydrator dumped by Erin Patterson in the days after the lunch tested positive for death cap mushroom toxins.
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Beale reminded jurors this morning of the directions he gave to them at the beginning of the trial.
He said:
You should only discuss the case with your fellow jurors.”
The discharging of the juror means 14 jurors remain on Patterson’s murder trial.
The jury was previously told only 12 jurors would be in the final cohort to deliberate on the verdict for Patterson’s trial.
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