Erin Patterson will go straight to a jury trial after abandoning an attempt to hold a preliminary hearing in her local community.
Patterson officially pleaded not guilty to the murder of her in-laws and ex-husband during a hearing in LaTrobe Valley Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The shocking statement means Patterson will now go straight to the Supreme Court of Victoria, where a jury will decide his fate.
Erin Patterson wore a blue jumper during her court appearance via video link on Tuesday.
Ms. Patterson wanted to hold her preliminary hearing close to her local community.
Patterson, 48, showed no emotion as he responded “not guilty, your honor” eight times.
Her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, died of suspected mushroom poisoning after eating a beef Wellington dish allegedly cooked by Patterson at her Leongatha home on July 29.
She is also charged with five counts of attempted murder of her ex-husband Simon Patterson.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only one to survive the deadly lunch.
Patterson appeared before Magistrate Tim Walsh via video link from a conference room inside the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.
Dressed in a blue prison jumpsuit, Patterson appeared relaxed before pleading guilty, chatting with a prison employee about the number of reporters who were also on the video link.
He will face the Supreme Court of Victoria on May 23.
Patterson had been anticipated to hold a three-week preliminary hearing before his likely arraignment before the Supreme Court.
Preliminary hearings are typically conducted by accused killers in an effort to allow their legal teams to conduct evidence. evidence before presenting it to a jury.
It is understood that her ex-husband was probably among the witnesses called at that hearing.
In another development, the court heard that Patterson is accused of attempting to murder Mr Patterson at three separate locations.
Don and Gail Patterson died after eating allegedly poisoned food at Erin Patterson’s home.
In addition to her alleged attempted murder at the deadly lunch, which she backed out of at the last minute, Patterson is accused of attempting to kill her ex-husband in Howqua, 300km north of Leongatha, on May 27, 2022.
She is also accused of trying to kill him on September 6 of that same year at Wilsons Promontory, about 60 kilometers south of Leongatha, and a year earlier in Korumburra, his hometown.
lLast month the court heard it had been decided that Patterson would hold a preliminary hearing at Morwell Magistrates’ Court even though it could not be accommodated until next year.
Magistrate Walsh then told Patterson’s attorney, Colin Mandy, South Carolina, that he could not hold this year’s preliminary hearing because the court was full.
“I’m not happy waiting for Mr. Mandy because I don’t think it’s fair to your client,” he told her.
Mandy insisted that these were Patterson’s own instructions and that he was determined to make them happen no matter the delay.
“She would like her committal hearing to be held in Your Honour’s court, in her local community, and is content to wait until the court can accommodate her,” he said.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson (right) survived the meal but his wife Gail (left) died.
The Leongatha house where Erin Patterson is accused of murdering her estranged relatives
On Tuesday, Walsh clarified why the court was unable to hold the preliminary hearing, blaming the lack of availability on specific dates set by Patterson’s own attorney.
‘There is no criticism of anyone. Mr Mandy is a senior lawyer, he is extremely capable… but they were the only dates he was available,” he said.
‘I just wanted to clarify that because I think it’s important for the community to be aware that the court could have set a date this year. The court will not meet here saying “we won’t be able to hear a very important matter until early or mid-next year.” I just want to make that pretty clear.’
It is still unknown what inspired Patterson to change his mind and go directly to the Supreme Court.
Walsh had previously warned Patterson that he faced a long time behind bars at the Dame Phyllis Frost Center awaiting a court date.
‘Do you understand that it is unlikely to be this year?’ he asked then.
“Yes, your honor,” was the response.
‘We anticipate that the court could accommodate us in that period, in that window that we marked with your Honor, but if it is next year, then Patterson will be content to wait.
“Which leaves her in custody for 14 or 15 months… minimum,” Mr Walsh said.
Crown prosecutor Sarah Lenthall opposed the proposed delay.
“Our position is that incarceration should take place as soon as possible,” he said.
Erin Patterson is accused of trying to murder her ex-husband Simon Patterson (pictured)
The court heard the matter could be heard in Melbourne without delay or go directly to the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Mandy said the procedure should take place in the community where the alleged crime occurred and near the defendant’s home.
“That’s the right place for a proceeding… we anticipate a three-week processing and most of the witnesses are from that area and those we haven’t agreed to can appear by (video link),” he said.
“It is not just a matter of principle and there are compelling reasons why internment should take place in the local community of Patterson.”
Walsh told Patterson that the royal court was in Morwell, about 60 kilometers from Leongatha, where the alleged murders took place.
“That’s close to the Patterson home in the context of regional Victoria,” Mr Mandy said.
Walsh refused to commit to Patterson’s request and said he would give his decision Tuesday before the shock wore off.
Patterson will face the Supreme Court of Victoria on May 23.
