Australian woman accused of triple mushroom murders breaks down in court

An Australian woman accused of murdering three of her estranged husband’s elderly relatives with a meal laced with poisonous mushrooms wept as she was questioned over expletive-laden messages about the victims on Tuesday.

SYDNEY — An Australian woman accused of murdering three of her estranged husband’s elderly relatives with a meal laced with poisonous mushrooms wept as she was questioned over expletive-laden messages about the victims on Tuesday, in a case that has captivated the country.

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, along with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather’s husband.

The prosecution alleges that she knowingly served the guests Beef Wellington that contained lethal death cap mushrooms at her home in Leongatha, a town of around 6,000 people some 84 miles from Melbourne.

Patterson denies the charges, with her defense saying the deaths were a “terrible accident.” She faces a life sentence if found guilty.

Ian Wilkinson leaving court in Morwell, Australia, on Wednesday.Asanka Ratnayake / Getty ImagesAppearing as a witness for her own defense, Erin Patterson was questioned on Tuesday by her barrister Colin Mandy about a series of expletive-laden messages sent to friends regarding the Patterson family.