Australian woman denies murdering her former husband's relatives with poisonous mushroom lunch
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A woman accused of serving her ex-husband’s family poisonous mushrooms pleaded not guilty in an Australian court on Tuesday to three charges of murder and five charges of attempted murder.
Erin Patterson, 49, appeared briefly in Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court by video link from a Melbourne prison, where she has been held since her arrest in November last year. She is accused of killing her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail Patterson’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66.
All three died in a hospital days after consuming a meal at Patterson’s home in July.
She pleaded not guilty to all charges and will appear at Victoria state’s Supreme Court in Melbourne for the first time on May 23.
Proceedings have been fast-tracked after Patterson dispensed with a committal hearing where a magistrate would have examined the prosecution’s case to ensure there is sufficient evidence to warrant a jury trial.
Related articles
College protests: Columbia University cancels main commencement
NEW YORK (AP) — Columbia University is canceling its large university-wide commencement ceremony fol2024-05-07Robyn Malcolm takes out best actress gong at France film festival
Robyn Malcolm has been recognised for her performance in After the Party. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-2024-05-07- The area where the missing woman is believed to be. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police2024-05-07
Tesla, Volvo Car pause output as Red Sea shipping crisis deepens
By Victoria Waldersee, Anna Ringstrom and Marie Mannes for ReutersThe Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brand2024-05-07Signatures submitted for 'top two' primary election in Republican
Supporters of a “top two” primary election system in South Dakota that would replace the current par2024-05-07Colonial statues vandalised ahead of contentious Australia Day holiday
By Stefica Nicol Bikes and Alasdair Pal A council worker cleans the statue to Britain's Queen Victor2024-05-07
atest comment