Pastor Ian Wilkinson shares his firsthand account of the deadly mushroom lunch at Erin Patterson's home that claimed the lives of his wife and two others, while he miraculously survived.

Inntjis transcript from the Erin Patterson murder trial:

• Long-time pastor of Korumburra Baptist Church for 26 years
• Describes his relationship with Erin Patterson as "friendly, amicable" but more like acquaintances
• Received an unexpected lunch invitation from Erin through his wife Heather
• Initially thought they were the only ones invited but learned Gail and Don Patterson were also coming
• Simon (Erin Patterson’s estranged husband) was invited but didn't attend
• Noticed Erin's reluctance when Heather and Gail wanted to see her pantry
• Observed Erin rejecting offers of help while plating the food herself
• Details how Erin used a different coloured plate (orangey-tan) while guests ate from matching grey plates
• Describes the beef wellington as "like a pasty" containing steak and mushrooms
• Confirms everyone had the same food items on their plates, though couldn't recall how much Erin ate

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📝 Show Notes — The Mushroom Murder Trial Podcast
Episode: Week Nine – Jury Locked In, Phones Missing, and the Dehydrator Dumped
Host: Lisa

This week we reach a critical juncture in the Erin Patterson trial, now into its ninth week inside the Supreme Court in Morwell, Victoria.

🔍 In this episode:

• Justice Christopher Beale continues his final instructions to the jury.
• The jury is now sequestered, an unusual move in Australia — signalling just how high-profile this case is.
• A key prosecution claim about leftovers fed to Erin’s children is thrown out by the judge, who warns the jury not to speculate without expert evidence.
• The court revisits the now-infamous dehydrator — allegedly used in a blind mushroom taste test, later dumped by Erin before a child protection visit. Was it panic? Or part of a cover-up?
• Erin’s digital trail is under scrutiny, with allegations she used multiple phones, factory reset one four times, and never handed over her “main” device. But the defence says there’s no proof she expected a search.
• The judge warns the jury about the complexity of the prosecution’s case, urging them not to overlook the simple explanations.

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Justice Christopher Beale has delivered his initial phase of instructions to the jury in the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial, emphasising they alone must determine if the prosecution has proven her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The case centres on whether Ms Patterson deliberately laced a beef wellington with death cap mushrooms, killing her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, while severely poisoning Heather's husband Ian.

• Trial now in its ninth week with intense media scrutiny
• Ms Patterson pled not guilty to all charges and testified for eight days
• Justice Beale warned jurors to base verdict solely on evidence presented
• Key issue is whether Ms Patterson bears criminal responsibility, not whether the meal caused deaths
• Jury expected to retire later this week to deliberate
• Case has attracted "unprecedented media attention" according to Justice Beale

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The Mushroom Murder Trial Podcast provides updates on the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial as it potentially enters its final week, with the judge set to give jury instructions on Tuesday. This episode features a detailed reading of Friday's court transcript, including critical cross-examination about Signal messages between Patterson and her former in-laws.

• Court proceedings could conclude this week depending on how long jury deliberations take
• Erin Patterson faced questioning about messages to her ex-husband's parents regarding school fees
• Prosecution suggested Patterson was angry when her in-laws declined to get involved in fee dispute
• Conflicting testimony emerged about whether Patterson consulted her ex-husband before changing their children's schools
• The case is formally titled "The King versus Erin Patterson" following the monarchy change

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As the high-profile Beef Wellington poisoning case nears its conclusion, we recap the dramatic final hearings of Erin Patterson’s trial.

Defence barrister Colin Mandy SCdelivers a powerful closing argument, directly challenging the prosecution’s narrative in front of Justice Christopher Beale.

With the jury set to deliberate following Justice Beale’s final directions, we break down the key moments, including the Crown’s claims of 'convoluted and absurd' arguments and the defence’s take on Patterson’s shifting story.

Don’t miss this in-depth analysis of one of the most gripping trials in recent memory.

We've nearly made it to the final day of Erin Patterson's triple murder and attempted murder trial, where the defence barrister Colin Mandy SC delivered his closing arguments challenging the prosecution's case. The jury will soon commence deliberations after Justice Christopher Beale gives his final directions on Tuesday.

• The Crown described prosecution arguments as "convoluted and absurd"
• Defence suggested Ms Patterson only began fabricating parts of her account after her estranged husband allegedly accused her of poisoning his parents
• Medical evidence showed Ms Patterson herself became sick from the beef Wellington with symptoms that "could have been in no way faked"
• Defence argued Ms Patterson's testimony remained coherent and consistent throughout extensive cross-examination
• Jury was reminded they must acquit if they find it reasonably possible the poisoning was an accident

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The defence in Erin Patterson's triple murder trial is building a narrative of a loving mother who had close relationships with her alleged victims. Colin Mandy SC presents evidence of Erin's deep connection with in-laws and lunch victims Don and Gail Patterson, portraying them as supportive in-laws who "treated her like a daughter."

• Defence characterises Erin as a devoted mother of two with good character
• Evidence suggests Erin moved from Western Australia to Victoria to be closer to Don and Gail
• Simon Patterson testified that Erin and his parents had "loving and respectful relationships"
• Special bond highlighted between Erin and Don, sharing interests in knowledge, books and science
• Defence emphasises continuing relationship between Erin and in-laws even after separation from Simon
• Jury deliberations expected to begin Wednesday next week

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As the Mushroom Murder Trial unfolds, the defence claims there is no clear motive behind the deadly incident involving Erin Patterson.

But Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers contends that Ms Patterson deliberately obtained and used death cap mushrooms in a beef wellington, leading to the tragic deaths of three relatives and the attempted murder of a fourth. With final jury instructions set for Monday and at least another week before deliberations begin, this episode dives deep into the arguments surrounding motive, the prosecution’s case, and Erin Patterson’s not guilty plea. Don’t miss this gripping exploration of one of the most talked-about trials in recent memory.

The judge in the Mushroom Murder Trial has announced there will be at least one more week before the jury can begin deliberations, with final jury instructions starting Monday.

Erin Patterson, age 50, is pleading not guilty to murdering three relatives and attempting to murder a fourth by serving them beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms.

• Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers argued Ms Patterson deliberately obtained death cap mushrooms and incorporated them into the meal
• Prosecution claimed the mother-of-two told "lies upon lies" after the lunch as part of a cover-up
• Defence barrister Colin Mandy criticised the prosecution for "cherry-picking" evidence
• He emphasised Ms Patterson's lack of motive, questioning why she would harm her only support network
• The 50-year-old voluntarily testified and subjected herself to cross-examination and international public scrutiny
• Mr. Mandy will continue his closing address today.

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Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers delivers closing arguments in week eight of Erin Patterson's triple murder trial, outlining four alleged acts of deception in what the prosecution describes as a carefully planned poisoning. The defence maintains that the death cap mushroom poisonings were a tragic mistake, not intentional murder.

In this gripping episode, Crown Prosecutor Nanette Rogers presents closing arguments in week eight of Erin Patterson's high-profile triple murder trial.

Discover how four alleged acts of deception—including the use of individual beef wellingtons—play a central role in the prosecution's case of intentional poisoning with deadly death cap mushrooms. Was this a carefully orchestrated plan or a tragic mistake? The defence argues the latter, but the prosecution claims Ms. Patterson even fabricated an ovarian cancer story to distract from the alleged murder plot. Tune in as we break down the courtroom drama and the chilling details behind the infamous death cap mushroom poisonings.

• Prosecution claims Ms Patterson fabricated an ovarian cancer story to distract from her alleged murder plot
• Individual beef wellingtons allegedly used to conceal death cap mushrooms, deviating from traditional shared-log recipe
• Different coloured plate allegedly used by Ms Patterson to identify her safe, non-poisoned meal
• Patterson's claim about buying dried mushrooms from an unremembered Asian grocery store called "not believable"
• Prosecution argues Ms Patterson feigned illness after the lunch, with symptoms inconsistent with actual mushroom poisoning
• Location data suggests Patterson may have travelled to areas where death cap mushrooms grow
• Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor, testified that Ms Patterson used a different coloured plate from other guests
• Alleged cover-up attempts include disposing of a dehydrator and concealing a mobile phone from investigators

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