The real reason behind Erin Patterson’s court bombshell – as her jail conditions are revealed
A lawyer has revealed why accused mushroom chef killer Erin Patterson asked for her hearing to take place in her area, despite the move resulting in additional jail time.
Ms Patterson, 48, appeared via video link at LaTrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Monday for a special hearing – her first public appearance in more than five months.
The mother-of-two is being represented by barrister Colin Mandy SC in what is expected to be a three-week hearing.
Mr Mandy argued there were “strong reasons” for the hearing to take place in Ms Patterson’s local community of Leongatha, in eastern Victoria, noting many of the witnesses would be from there.
“Those are her instructions, Your Honor. She would like her pledge to be heard… in her local community,” he told Magistrate Tim Walsh.
‘It’s not just a matter of principle, there are powerful reasons why an engagement should take place in Ms Patterson’s local community.
“The proceedings should be conducted in the community where the crimes are alleged to have occurred, closer to her home.”
Mr Walsh said he could not organize the preliminary hearing at the court in Morwell, 60 kilometers from Leongatha, because it was fully booked.
He warned that a delay could result in Ms Patterson spending an additional 15 months in custody on top of the 172 days she has already spent behind bars.
Ms Patterson appeared via video link at LaTrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Monday for a special hearing – her first public appearance in more than five months
Criminal defense attorney Celine Khoury (pictured on Sunrise Tuesday morning) said it could be up to two years before Erin Patterson’s trial takes place
Ms Patterson has been behind bars at the Dame Phyllis Frost Center in Melbourne’s western industrial suburbs since her arrest last November (pictured, a jail cell)
Criminal defense attorney Celine Khoury told Sunrise host Natalie Barr that it could be up to two years before Ms. Patterson’s trial takes place.
“So, as we’ve heard, the commitment won’t happen until next year. I think they say three weeks. But these things can go very far,” she said.
“So if we don’t get a commitment until next year, I don’t think we’ll see a process of at least a year and a half to two years.
‘But the first step is trying to get the promise done. And once we cross that bridge, a magistrate will decide if there is enough evidence to take the case to the Supreme Court.
“If there is enough evidence for it to go before a jury, Ms. Patterson will enter (a plea). Guilty or not guilty, the case will be elevated. And then she will be tried.”
On Monday, prosecutor Sarah Lenthall objected to the proposed delay, saying the hearing should take place “as soon as possible.”
Mr Walsh refused to grant Ms Patterson’s request and said he would make his decision when the case returned to court next month.
Ms Patterson was remanded in custody to appear in court again on May 7.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson (right) survived the meal, but his wife Gail (left) was killed
Don and Gail Patterson died after eating a suspected poisoned meal at Erin Patterson’s home
The 48-year-old has been behind bars at the Dame Phyllis Frost Center in Melbourne’s western industrial suburbs since her arrest last November.
She is one of 600 maximum security female prisoners in Victoria’s toughest women’s prison, which is notoriously violent, freezing in winter and scorching in summer.
Situated between an asphalt quarry and an electricity substation, Dame Phyllis Frost is one of three adjacent prisons housing thousands of prisoners, two of which are state-run.
Patterson can receive visits from friends or her children, but not on Christmas Day, when the state’s public prisons are closed to visitors.
She is currently said to be in contact with prison chaplains behind bars, and has reportedly been reading the Bible, which is readily available inside, since her incarceration.
Ms Patterson’s former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, died on July 29 from suspected mushroom poisoning after eating a beef wellington dish prepared by Patterson at her Leongatha home.
She is further charged with five counts of attempted murder of her estranged husband Simon Patterson.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only one to survive the deadly lunch.