Erin Patterson, right, is accused of murdering her ex-husband’s parents and aunt (Picture: AAP/Nine)
Erin Patterson, the Australian woman accused of murdering and attempting to murder relatives by feeding them deadly mushrooms, has appeared in court for the second time.
The mother-of-two, 49, requested via her lawyers that her next hearing be held near her hometown even if it meant waiting 15 months or more.
She was said to have been ‘content’ with the lengthy delay, which she would spend in prison as she has not asked to be released on bail.
Patterson is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Ms Patterson’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66.
Erin Patterson insists she didn’t mean to harm her guests (Picture: Reuters)
They died in hospital after eating a beef Wellington, which police believe contained lethal death cap mushrooms, at Patterson’s home in Leongatha, Victoria.
The 49-year-old is also accused of the attempted murder of Ms Wilkinson’s husband Ian, who survived the meal, and of her estranged husband Simon Patterson, who dropped out of the lunch at the last minute.
Police allege she tried to kill Simon by inviting him to eat the meal, as well as on three previous occasions dating back to 2021.
The victims include Patterson’s former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson (Picture: Yvette Kelly)
Patterson appeared briefly via video-link at Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court, Morwell, on Monday.
Her request concerned her upcoming committal hearing, which determines whether there is enough evidence for the case to be heard by a jury in Victoria’s Supreme Court.
Magistrate Tim Walsh said he will announce in two weeks whether the hearing will be held in the state capital, Melbourne, or Morwell, a rural town 40 minutes’ drive from Leongatha.
Defence lawyer Colin Mandy pointed out it was standard practice for courts to hear cases as close as possible to the scene of the alleged crime and the home of the accused.
A court sketch of Erin Patterson attending her last hearing in November (Picture: AP)
Most of the witnesses expected to appear are also from the area, he said.
Mr Mandy added: ‘It’s not only a matter of principle and there are powerful reasons for the committal having to take place in the local community.’
Mr Walsh responded: ‘It won’t be in the local community. It will be in Morwell.’
Mandy replied: ‘That’s close to Ms Patterson’s home in the context of regional Victoria.’
The magistrate said he was concerned the delay in the case was ‘getting a bit out there’ but was considering both venues.
Mr Mandy told him: ‘If it happens next year, then Ms Patterson’s content to wait for that.’
Patterson has always insisted she did not intentionally poison her in-laws and says she was also ill after the meal.
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