Mushroom murder trial begins in rural Australia

The trial of a woman accused of murdering three elderly people after serving them a lunch of poisonous mushrooms began in Australia on Tuesday.

SYDNEY — The trial of a woman accused of murdering three elderly people after serving them a lunch of poisonous mushrooms began in Australia on Tuesday, in a case that has gripped the nation.

Erin Patterson is charged with the 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.

All four became ill after the lunch hosted by the accused at her home in Leongatha, a town of around 6,000 people about 84 miles from Melbourne.

Prosecutors allege the mushrooms were served to the victims as part of a beef Wellington.

Jury selection began Tuesday at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in nearby Morwell, with the opening arguments expected to begin on Wednesday morning.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/mushroom-murder-trial-begins-rural-australia-rcna203439

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