Erin Patterson Court Appearance ~ “Voluminous” Evidence
Erin Patterson Court Hearing
Police have submitted a "quite voluminous" brief of evidence in the investigation into the Erin Patterson Beef Wellington with mushrooms case.
The observation was made today by the magistrate Tim Walsh during a special hearing outside of Melbourne.
In the hearing inside a court in the Victorian town of Morwell, her defence provided prosecutors with a list of anticipated witnesses to be called at her committal hearing.
Ms Patterson’s lawyer Colin Mandy SC said he expected the hearing to go for three weeks.
Erin Patterson Court
According to ABC online, witnesses from Leongatha area are expected to testify at the committal, which will provide Ms Patterson with a formal opportunity to enter a "not guilty" or "guilty" plea to the charges.
If a magistrate is satisfied there is enough evidence for a jury to potentially return a guilty verdict, the case will then progress to the Victorian Supreme Court.
The accused killer at the centre of a mushroom poisoning case has told a court she’s “content” to spend more than a year behind bars on remand to have her hearing in her local community.
Erin Trudi Patterson, aged 49, made her first appearance in more than five months on Monday morning.
Erin Patterson Court
Most of the charges relate to a lunch Ms Patterson at her home in the Victorian town of Leongatha, south-east of Melbourne, on July 29, 2023 where attendees ate beef Wellington with mushrooms.
According to Nine News, there was discussion about the regional magistrates court only able to accommodate Ms Patterson's hearing next year, as it was no servicing six courts out of one location.
(The Magistrate) Tim Walsh asked Ms Patterson's barrister, Colin Mandy SC, if the case could be moved to Melbourne Magistrates Court or fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.
Mr Mandy said Ms Patterson wanted the committal hearing to be heard at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court.
Erin Patterson Court
The defence barrister said Ms Patterson wanted the committal to be held close to her home
"It's not only a matter of principle, and there are powerful reasons for the committal having to take place in Ms Patterson's local community," Mr Mandy said
The magistrate pointed out Morwell was not her home, but Mr Mandy said "that's close to Ms Patterson's home, in the context of regional Victoria.”
"I understand your client consents ... but the delay seems to be getting a bit out there," Walsh said.
The case was then adjourned to a committal mention on May 7, when the Magistate will decide whether to move it to Melbourne.
Erin Patterson Court
But this case is once again coming up just for a special mention at the La Trove Valley magistrates Court.
It was heard by the same magistrate who heard her case when she first appeared in court, and it is once again bound to attract a lot of attention.
