Accused killer Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.
The 49-year-old will now have her trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.
She appeared in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court via video link from prison.
The accused triple murderer’s trial will be fast-tracked following her not guilty plea to eight charges. (Source: Supplied)
Patterson is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both aged 70, and Gail’s sister, 66-year-old Heather Wilkinson.
The trio died after consuming a beef Wellington meal at Patterson’s home on July 29, 2023. Pastor Ian Wilkinson, 68, Gail’s husband, was the sole survivor of the lunch, which was allegedly laced with deadly death cap mushrooms.
At least three of her attempted murder charges date back to separate incidents involving her husband, Simon Patterson. It is believed her husband was also invited to the fatal lunch but did not attend.
Police alleged Patterson knowingly poisoned her family. One bite of the mushrooms was enough to kill someone by causing severe gastroenteritis and eventually organ failure.
Defence barrister Colin Mandy, SC, stated that Patterson had elected to have her case fast-tracked to a higher court, avoiding the need for a committal hearing, where evidence against her would have been publicly tested for the first time.
Magistrate Tim Walsh accepted the application and said: "I note you have pleaded not guilty and there is no application for bail today."
Patterson was arrested in November and has remained in custody since. Her case was next listed for a directions hearing at the Supreme Court on May 23.
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