What we heard on day six
The trial has concluded on day six of Erin Patterson’s murder trial.
Here’s what the jury heard today:
1. Ian Wilkinson, the survivor of the mushroom lunch, described his relationship with Erin as “friendly” and “amicable.” He said the pair were more “like acquaintances”. Ian and his wife, Heather, were very happy and excited about being invited to the lunch, the court heard.
2. Ian told jurors when the four lunch guests arrived at Erin’s house on 29 July 2023, Heather and Gail Patterson went to inspect Erin’s pantry. He recalled Erin was “very reluctant” about this.
3. Recalling the beef wellington lunch, Ian said Erin plated the dishes. He told jurors Erin rejected an offer by Heather and Gail to help plate the individual beef wellingtons. Ian said Erin ate off a “orangey-tan” plate that was different to the grey plates the four guests used.
4. Ian testified that after the lunch, Erin told the guests she had a “life-threatening” cancer. He said Erin told them about a diagnostic test which had found a tumor. The defence suggested Erin had told the guests she had a suspected cancer. Ian rejected this and said Erin was “fairly clear that the [cancer] diagnosis was given.”
5. The jury also heard about how the lunch guests were treated in hospital. While Don and Gail Patterson were at Dandenong hospital, the toxicology department raised the possibility of death cap mushroom poisoning because of the delayed onset of symptoms.
We’ll be back at 10.30am tomorrow. Thanks for following along.
Updated
Gail Patterson was transferred to ICU at 2am, court hears
At about 2am, test results showing Gail’s liver function and elevated lactate levels were worsening triggered her transfer to the intensive care unit, the court hears.
A decision was made to administer silibinin - the antidote to death cap mushroom poisoning, Morgan says. Monash Health - which oversees Dandenong Hospital - did not have enough of the antidote for four patients and needed to obtain it from an external hospital, the court hears.
Heather and Ian were later transferred to Dandenong Hospital, the court hears.
Morgan says doctor Chris Webster at Leongatha hospital informed her Erin Patterson had presented to the hospital and discharged herself.
There is no cross-examination.
Updated
