Massive twist as mushroom chef Erin Patterson makes huge decision as she faces court accused of murdering her in-laws and trying to kill her husband

Erin Patterson will head straight to a jury trial after abandoning her attempts to hold a preliminary hearing in her local community.

Patterson officially pleaded not guilty to the murders of her in-laws and estranged husband during a hearing in LaTrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The shock plea means Patterson will now face a direct trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria, where a jury will decide her fate.

Patterson, 48, showed no emotion as she answered “not guilty” eight times.

She appeared before Magistrate Tim Walsh via video link from a conference room in the Dame Phyllis Frost Center.

Dressed in blue prison scrubs, Patterson appeared relaxed before making her plea, chatting with a prison official about the number of reporters also on the video link.

Patterson was expected to hold a three-week preliminary hearing before likely submitting to the Supreme Court.

Preliminary hearings are often held by accused murderers in an effort to give their legal teams a chance to test themselves evidence is presented to a jury.

It is understood her ex-husband Simon Patterson was likely one of the witnesses called at that hearing.

In another development, the court heard that Patterson is accused of attempting to kill Mr Patterson at three different locations.

In addition to his alleged attempted murder during the deadly lunch, which he abandoned at the last minute, Patterson is accused of killing her ex-husband in Howqua – 300km north of Leongatha, on May 27, 2022.

She is also accused of killing him on September 6 the same year at Wilsons Prom, about 60km south of Leongatha.

Last month the court heard that Patterson was determined to have a preliminary hearing at Morwell Magistrates’ Court, despite it not being heard until next year.

Magistrate Walsh then told Mr Mandy he could not attend this year’s preliminary hearing because the court was fully booked.

“I’m not happy with waiting for Mr. Mandy because I don’t think it’s fair to your client,” he told him.

Mr Mandy insisted these were Patterson’s own instructions and he was determined to carry them out despite the delay.

“She would like her hearing to be heard in your honor, in her local community, and she is content to wait until the court can accommodate her,” he said.

It remains unknown what prompted Patterson to change his mind and go straight to the Supreme Court.

Mr Walsh had warned Patterson she would spend a long time behind bars at the Dame Phyllis Frost Center awaiting a court hearing.

“Does she understand that this is unlikely to happen this year?” he asked.

“Yes, Your Honor,” was the response.

“We expected that the court might be able to accommodate us during that period, during that period we gave your commendation, but if it is next year, Mrs. Patterson is happy to wait.

“Which leaves her in custody for 14 to 15 months… at the very least,” Mr Walsh said.

Crown prosecutor Sarah Lenthall objected to the proposed postponement.

“Our position is that the commitment should take place as soon as possible,” she said.

The court heard the case could be heard in Melbourne without delay or taken directly to the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Mr Mandy said the proceedings should be conducted in the community where the alleged crime occurred and close to the suspect’s home.

“That is the right location for proceedings… we are expecting a three week deployment and most of the witnesses will be from that area and those who are not we can appear by video link,” he said.

“It is not just a matter of principle and there are powerful reasons why the dedication should take place in Ms Patterson’s local community.”

Mr Walsh told Patterson that the actual court was in Morwell, about 60km from Leongatha, where the alleged murders took place.

“That’s close to Patterson’s home in the context of regional Victoria,” Mr Mandy said.

Mr Walsh declined to respond to Patterson’s request and said he would announce his decision on Tuesday before the shock washed over his face.

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 cooked 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.