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Erin Patterson is currently under intense scrutiny in a murder trial where she stands accused of causing the deaths of three individuals with a contaminated beef Wellington meal. As the courtroom drama unfolds, Ms. Patterson maintains her innocence, insisting that the incident was a horrendous accident rather than a deliberate act.

The prosecution has focused on evidence from Ms. Patterson’s phone, suggesting that she had calculated the lethal dosage of poisonous mushrooms, specifically death cap mushrooms. Ms. Patterson has vehemently denied these accusations. Under cross-examination, she was questioned repeatedly about her actions and intentions. She admitted to lying to the police about owning a food dehydrator, describing it as a "stupid knee-jerk reaction."

In her testimony, Ms. Patterson expressed fear and panic when her guests became ill, revealing she was scared she might have inadvertently caused their suffering. She also highlighted the strained relationship with her estranged husband, exacerbating her emotional state during the period of the tragic lunch.

Earlier in the trial, Ms. Patterson discussed her passionate hobby of mushroom foraging, which she began in early 2020. She claimed that the mushrooms used in the ill-fated meal were a mix of foraged varieties and those bought from a Melbourne grocer. She admitted that it was possible some of the foraged mushrooms, which were stored in her pantry, may have accidentally mixed into the meal.

The court also heard unsettling details of Ms. Patterson's personal life, including her false claims to her guests about having cancer, which she said were fabrications to hide her plans for weight-loss surgery. These revelations have painted a complicated picture of her motivations and state of mind.

The trial, which is being held in a small regional town, will pause for the weekend due to court operations only running half-days on Fridays and the upcoming public holiday on Monday in Victoria. Proceedings will resume on Tuesday, 10 June, as the trial enters its seventh week, with Ms. Patterson expected to continue her cross-examination.