Australian Woman Found Guilty of Murder Using Poisonous Mushrooms

An Australian woman, Erin Patterson, was convicted of murdering three elderly relatives of her estranged husband with a meal laced with poisonous mushrooms, and attempting to murder a fourth. The victims were her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and her mother-in-law's sister. They had gathered at Patterson's home in Leongatha, where she served them individual Beef Wellingtons containing death cap mushrooms. She was found guilty of all charges after a ten-week trial in Morwell. Patterson had pleaded not guilty, claiming the deaths were accidental. She faces a maximum life sentence.

The prosecution revealed that Patterson used multiple deceptions to carry out the murders, including fabricating a cancer diagnosis to lure the victims to the lunch and poisoning their meals while serving herself an untainted portion. She then lied about being sick from the food and attempted to cover up the crime when police investigated. Patterson, who inherited money, had a four-person legal team and was the only witness in her defense.

During the trial, Patterson spoke about her struggles with weight, an eating disorder, and low self-esteem. She claimed she lied about having cancer not to kill the guests but to seek their help with telling her children. The jury retired on 30 June and took a week to reach a verdict. Justice Christopher Beale granted them special dispensation due to the case's length and complexity.

According to the source: RTE.ie.