SYDNEY: An Australian lady accused of murdering three of her estranged husband’s elderly relatives with a meal laced with toxic mushrooms wept as she was questioned over expletive-laden messages in regards to the victims on Tuesday (Jun 3), in a case that has captivated the nation.
Erin Patterson, 50, is charged with the July 2023 murders of her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, together with the tried homicide of Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband.
The prosecution alleges she knowingly served the company beef Wellington that contained deadly demise cap mushrooms at her dwelling in Leongatha, a city of round 6,000 folks some 135km from Melbourne.
Patterson denies the costs, along with her defence saying the deaths had been a “horrible accident”. She faces a life sentence if discovered responsible.
Showing as a witness for her personal defence, Erin Patterson was questioned on Tuesday by her barrister Colin Mandy a few sequence of expletive-laden messages despatched to associates concerning the Patterson household.
The court docket beforehand heard that the connection between the accused and her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, deteriorated shortly earlier than the alleged murders on account of a disagreement over baby assist.
“I want I would by no means mentioned it. I really feel ashamed for saying it and I want that the household did not have to listen to that I mentioned that,” she mentioned of the messages, that the court docket has beforehand heard within the prosecution’s case.
“I used to be actually pissed off with Simon however it wasn’t Don and Gail’s fault,” she instructed the court docket via tears.
