Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon, will begin giving evidence today as the prosecution’s first witness.
The pair had an amicable relationship despite their separation in 2015 until November 2022, according to the prosecution.
Until November 2022, Simon had maintained hope the couple would reconcile, the court heard.
Here’s a recap of what we heard on day two of Erin Patterson’s trial.
The prosecution has told jurors that Patterson had invited her estranged husband, Simon, and his relatives to her house in July 2023 to discuss “medical issues” she had and how to break the news to her two children.
Nanette Rogers SC, the prosecutor, said Patterson had told them she had cancer, but the prosecution allege she did not have cancer, and concocted the story about medical issues to ensure that the children were not present for the lunch.
The defence told the court it was not in dispute that Patterson had never been diagnosed with cancer. Patterson’s lawyer, Colin Mandy SC, also said she had lied to police about never foraging for mushrooms but denied ever having deliberately sought out death cap mushrooms.
The defence’s case is that the three deaths were a tragedy and a terrible accident. Mandy said the main issue in the case was that Patterson did not deliberately serve poisoned food to her guests.
