MUSHROOM cook Erin Patterson who is accused of killing three people with a poisoned beef wellington graphically described how she became ill, a court heard.
Patterson’s revelations in the days following the deadly lunch were told to the court by senior public health officer Sally Ann Atkinson .
APErin Patterson looks on in Melbourne as she faces trial[/caption]
AlamyThe exterior of the Leongatha home where Erin Patterson allegedly served up death cap mushrooms[/caption]
The 50-year-old – who has pleaded not gulity to murdering three members of her husband’s family – said the meal she had prepared left her with “explosive diarrhoea”.
Ms Atkinson told the jury she spoke with Ms Patterson for 15 minutes in a phone call on August 1 – just days after the potentially murderous meal on July 29.
Patterson’s husband Simon’s parents – Don and Gail Patterson – died along with his aunt Heather Wilkinson in the week following the meal – with her husband Ian surviving the sickness.
The health official said Patterson said she had also “started to feel unwell” about midnight on July 30 and began to experience violent bowel movements every 15 to 20 minutes.
She said Patterson claimed she began to fell better – but fell ill again after eating a bowl of cereal.
The accused mushroom cook then checked herself into hospital on July 31.
Ms Atkinson said the cook claimed she had used dried mushrooms alongside fresh ones from the supermarket.
She said Patterson claimed she need a kilo for her receipe so mixed the two different types together.
Patterson claimed to have purchased to dehydrated mushrooms at an Asian supermarket in Melbourne.
But she could not remember example where she had bought them from.
Patterson said she initially purchased the dried mushrooms for a pasta dish, but she “thought they smelt funny”.
“The way she explained it, she said she could have used some in that original dish,” the officer said.
Ms Atkinson them followed up with Patterson in a series of text messages asking for more information.
She then provided a more detailed breakdown of where she may have purchased the ingredients from for the wellington.
And meanwhile, forensic pathologist Brian Beer gave evidence about autopsies of the three victims.
He said their injuries were “very consistent” with having eaten toxic mushrooms and there was “extensive necrosis of the liver”.
The trial continues.
A court sketch shows Erin Patterson at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court in Morwell, AustraliaReuters Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
