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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Nino Bucci Justice and courts reporter

Erin Patterson could have eaten same lunch as guests and suffered less severe poisoning, defence says

Barrister Colin Mandy SC at the Latrobe Valley court in Morwell, Australia
Barrister Colin Mandy SC is representing Erin Patterson in her trial over a lunch containing deadly mushrooms she served at her home in regional Australia. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Erin Patterson’s barrister says the jury in her triple murder trial cannot be convinced she did not eat the same beef wellingtons as her lunch guests, and should ignore evidence from the only other survivor of the meal that she served herself on a different coloured plate.

Colin Mandy SC also said in his closing address that Patterson was “not on trial for being a liar”, and warned jurors against using “dangerous and seductive” hindsight reasoning to find her guilty.

Patterson, 50, is facing three charges of murder and one of attempted murder in the Victorian supreme court.

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