Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #8 *Arrest*

[MsMarple]

Prosecutors establishing the family situation​

By Judd Boaz​

As prosecutor Jane Warren takes Mr Wilkinson through some questions establishing the basic family dynamics, she reminds him to keep his voice raised so they jury can hear him.

He receives the advice in good humour.

"Okay, thank you," he laughs.

 

[drsleuth]

now11.17 AEST
‘Just seemed like a normal person’: Ian Wilkinson on Erin Patterson

Lenthall asks how Wilkinson would he would describe Erin:

Just seemed like a normal person to me... when we met, seemed quite friendly. We never had arguments or disputes.


She just seemed like an ordinary person.

Lenthall turns to his observation of Simon and Erin’s marriage. He says he had a “couple” of conversations with Simon about the pair’s marriage challenges when they lived separately for periods of time.

Wilkinson says he had only eaten with Erin previously for wider family gatherings like Christmas parties.

He says these meals were typically hosted at Simon’s parents’ house.

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[MsMarple]

Ian Wilkinson is answering questions about his relationship with Erin Patterson.

"I would say our relationship was friendly, amicable. It didn’t have much depth. We were more like acquaintances," he says.

He explains Erin helped at the Korumburra Baptist Church by assisting with the broadcasting of services on YouTube.

Ian says they would sometimes talk about family and relations when they met at the church.

He says his wife Heather saw Erin more frequently, but he didn't consider the relationship to be close.

When asked what his impression was of Erin, he says:

"She just seemed like a normal person. When we met, things were friendly. We never had arguments or disputes."

 

[JLZ]

Apparently, you did miss the posts. For example, post #3 in the very first thread is a news report naming the victims. No paywall and well before Erin's statement. There are others on that first page as well.

Post in thread 'Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023'

Aug 6, 2023

Latest. 3.07min Video.

9News Melbourne

https://twitter.com/x/status/1688099485761560576

• TootsieFootsie

• 
• 
• 

Yes, you're right. I don't comprehend speech very well so I tend to skip videos. I had to listen to that one several times because in two separate parts I thought it said or implied that Ian had died.

 

[drsleuth]

11.17am

‘Seemed like an ordinary person’: Ian Wilkinson on Erin Patterson​

By​

Warren asks Ian Wilkinson about Don and Gail Patterson, who lived about a kilometre from the Wilkinson’s home in Korumburra.

Wilkinson said the two couples were close and would see each other about three times a week.

He described his relationship with Erin Patterson as friendly and amicable.

“It didn’t have much depth. We were more like acquaintances. We didn’t see a great deal of each other,” Wilkinson said.

He said Erin attended Korumburra Baptist Church, where he has been a pastor for 26 years. He said there would be periods when Erin wouldn’t attend for a while, and others when she would attend services more frequently.

“Maybe monthly or something like that, on the average,” he said.

“We would have some casual conversation. We would talk about the family, how you’re going, or that sort of conversation.”

When the pandemic hit, Wilkinson said Erin helped establish the YouTube broadcast of the service.

He said Heather’s relationship with Erin was fairly similar. Heather would see Erin more than Ian, but she didn’t consider that their relationship was closed, the jury heard.

Ian said Erin “seemed like a normal person”.

“As I said, when we met things were friendly,” he said.

Ian said they never had any arguments or disputes.

“Seemed like an ordinary person. I don’t know how to describe it,” he said.

Doctor reveals mushroom antidote was in short supply after fatal meal: Trial day six, as it happened

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

www.theage.com.au

 

[MsMarple]

Ian Wilkinson says he didn't regularly visit Erin​

By Tim Callanan​

Mr Wilkinson says he didn't often visit Erin Patterson's house, but did visit her once with his wife Heather.

He says they spoke to Erin on her doorstep.

Ian says he dined with Erin at family occasions and Christmas parties that were usually held at Don and Gail Patterson's house.

 

[MsMarple]

Heather Wilkinson's diary shown to court​

By Kristian Silva​

A picture of Heather Wilkinson's colourful green 2023 diary is being shown to the court.

The page covers the week of July commencing 24 July, 2023.

On the critical date of June 29, it says "Erin's for lunch".

2m ago

Erin Patterson is watching Ian Wilkinson's evidence closely​

By Kristian Silva​

To paint the courtroom scene, Ian Wilkinson is seated in the witness box wearing a black vest and grey-coloured shirt.

To his right is a plastic water bottle he's brought into court, and in front he has a microphone and a computer screen to view any exhibits that might be shown to the court.

The church pastor's voice is soft, and at times he smiles warmly and chuckles when providing his answers to prosecutor Jane Warren.

Erin Patterson is in the court dock, about 10 metres away. She's listening intently, a neutral look on her face.

Key Event
3m ago

Lunch guest hoped 'relationship with Erin was going to improve'​

By Judd Boaz​

Mr Wilkinson says most of his interactions with Erin Patterson had come as social gatherings such as Christmas parties at Don and Gail Patterson’s house.

The prosecution begins to question Mr Wilkinson about the July 29 lunch.

He confirms an invite was extended at lunch to his wife Heather, although he wasn’t present at the time.

Ms Warren asks him how he and Heather reacted to the lunch invite.

"She was fairly excited ... I really can't remember in detail," he says with a laugh.

"There was no reason given for the lunch, and I remember talking to Heather wondering why the sudden invitation," Mr Wilkinson says.

He says the pair were "very happy to be invited".

"Seemed like maybe our relationship with Erin was going to improve," he says.

Mr Wilkinson says the discovered soon after that Don, Gail and Simon Patterson had also been invited.

 

[drsleuth]

1m ago02.23 BST
Ian Wilkinson says late wife Heather ‘fairly excited’ about lunch

The examination now turns to the invite for the mushroom lunch.

Ian recalls Heather telling him at church that they had been invited to Erin’s home for a meal in July 2023.

He says Heather was “fairly excited” about the invitation:

There was no reason for the lunch.... We were very happy to be invited. It seemed like maybe our relationship with Erin was going to improve.

Ian says the pair were “very happy” to accept the lunch invite.

He says at first the couple thought they were the only people invited.

They later found out that Heather’s sister, Gail and her husband, Don had also been invited.

Erin’s estranged husband, Simon, was also invited to the lunch, the court hears.

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[drsleuth]

11.23am

Wilkinson spoke with Simon Patterson a couple of times about his marriage difficulties with Erin​

​

Wilkinson said he had a couple of conversations with Simon Patterson, Erin Patterson’s estranged husband, about the difficulties in his relationship with Erin.

Warren asks Wilkinson about any visits he and Heather had made to Erin and Simon Patterson. Wilkinson said that when the couple moved to Bena after returning to Victoria from WA, he visited the house with Heather, but did not enter the home.

After Erin and Simon separated in 2015, Heather and Ian also visited the home Erin was living in on Shellcott Road, but again did not go inside.

Doctor reveals mushroom antidote was in short supply after fatal meal: Trial day six, as it happened

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

www.theage.com.au

 

[MsMarple]

Ugh, Heather was excited about the lunch invitation then later as she started to feel sick she began asking about the different dinner plates as suspicion dawned on her. IMO there was more than a different colored plate that raised her hackles. Did she discuss it with Ian?

 

[MsMarple]

2m ago

Ian Wilkinson recaps previous meals in July​

By Judd Boaz​

The prosecution has Ian Wilkinson recount some of the meals in the days prior to the July 29 lunch.

Mr Wilkinson recounts a pub meal, a BBQ birthday dinner with family and a breakfast on the morning of July 29.

He says he cannot recall what he and Heather had for breakfast on that morning.

"I have porridge basically every morning for breakfast, so I probably had a nice bowl of porridge," he says with a laugh.

The couple then walked down the street to buy a newspaper and continued onto a local cafe for coffee with neighbours.

 

[drsleuth]

now11.31 AEST
Heather’s diary shown to court

The court is shown a photo of Heather’s diary. A hand written entry on 29 July says “Erin’s for lunch 12:00”

Wilkinson says the couple needed to be ready at midday for Don and Gail to pick them up for the lunch.

Underneath, is the word “fruit”. Ian says this refers to the fruit platter he and Heather were planning to take to Erin’s house.

On the morning of 29 July, Wilknson says he had breakfast but cannot recall what he ate. He says it was a “typical breakfast meal” and he “probably had a nice bowl of porridge”.

Ian Wilkinson and his wife Heather. Photograph: Facebook

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[drsleuth]

11.29am

The lunch invitation​

​

Wilkinson said he was not present when Erin invited Heather to the beef Wellington lunch scheduled for July 29, 2023.

“We were all at church, but I wasn’t present with Heather and Erin when the invitation was made,” he said.

He said Heather was “fairly excited” about the lunch when she told Wilkinson they had been invited.

“There was no reason given for the lunch, and I remember talking to Heather, wondering why suddenly [there had been an] invitation,” he said.

Wilkinson said they were excited about being invited and thought their relationship with Erin might improve as a result.

“I think Heather had some conversation with either Don or Gail, and we became aware that they had also been invited. And that Simon too was invited,” he said.

Wilkinson’s right hand shakes as he takes sips from a water bottle he has brought into court.

Doctor reveals mushroom antidote was in short supply after fatal meal: Trial day six, as it happened

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

www.theage.com.au

 

[MsMarple]

1m ago

The questions turn to the day of the lunch​

By Tim Callanan​

Ian explains that he and his wife Heather travelled together with Don and Gail Patterson to the lunch at Erin Patterson's house.

He says when they first arrived, Heather noted that Simon Patterson's car was not at the property.

"Oh, Simon's car's not here," Mr Wilkinson recalls her saying.

He recalls either Don or Gail saying the Simon would not be at the lunch.

 

[MrJ]

Poor Ian. Can't help but feel sorry for him for all he went through.

 

[drsleuth]

1m ago02.36 BST

Erin Patterson 'reluctant' for guests to look in her pantry​

Wilkinson and Heather were picked up by Don and Gail “a little after 12” from their house before travelling to Erin’s house on 29 July 2023, the court hears.

The four lunch guests arrived at Erin’s house at about 12.30pm, Wilkinson says.

Arriving at Erin’s house, Wilkinson says Heather remarked “oh, Simon’s car’s not here.”

Don or Gail said Simon was not attending the lunch, Wilkinson says.

Erin then met the four guests and they went into the kitchen and lounge room area in the house:

There was general conversation.... then we started conversing about the house.

Erin mentioned there was a pantry behind the wall:

Heather was very interested in pantries at the time because we’d just built one at home.

On hearing about the pantry, she started walking towards it.... Gail started following.

Wilkinson says Erin was “very reluctant” about the visit to the pantry. He says Erin then followed Heather and Gail to the pantry.

Wilkinson says he did not follow because he thought Erin may have been embarrassed about mess in the pantry.

Erin Patterson trial day six – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[MsMarple]

Erin 'very reluctant' for guests to visit pantry​

By Tim Callanan​

Ian says the guests exchanged pleasantries with Erin Patterson and they spoke about the house.

He says Erin mentioned the pantry at the house and says he recalls Heather asking whether she could look at Erin's pantry.

Heather was interested in pantries at the time as the Wilkinsons had been completing some home improvements.

Ian says Erin was "very reluctant about the visit to the pantry".

"I thought maybe the pantry's a mess, an embarrassment," he says.

He says he didn't go to look at the pantry.

!!

 

[drsleuth]

Heather’s schedule and the day before the lunch​

By​

The jury is being shown a photo of Heather’s diary. Inside pages show handwritten entries for the week commencing July 24, 2023. Wilkinson helps the prosecution decipher his late wife’s handwriting.

Warren is now going through the commitments Heather had jotted down for the weekend of the lunch in her diary. Among them are a 67th birthday and a meeting scheduled for 3pm on July 29.

Below the meeting entry was “Erin’s for lunch”.

The entry noted the couple could be picked up by Don and Gail Patterson at 12pm and that they would be taking a fruit platter.

The day before the lunch, July 28, Ian and Heather attended a 67th birthday meal at a pub in Korumburra.

“I know that we all ordered the same meal, and I think it was a schnitzel,” Wilkinson said.

That night, the jury heard, the Wilkinsons went to their daughter Ruth’s house to celebrate her husband Brad’s birthday. Brad smoked some meat, which was served with roasted vegetables.

Doctor reveals mushroom antidote was in short supply after fatal meal: Trial day six, as it happened

Of the four guests who dined on beef Wellington at Erin Patterson’s house in 2023, only one survived. On Tuesday, that guest – Ian Wilkinson – will tell his story for the first time when he takes the stand as a witness in the cook’s murder trial.

www.theage.com.au

 

[whitelilac]

Did Erin keep the crockery in the pantry? specifically white plates

 

[Megnut]

Did Erin keep the crockery in the pantry? specifically white plates

Guessing that's where the dehydrator was.