Ian Wilkinson, who survived Erin Patterson's deadly mushroom meal, returned to his church yesterday to speak for the first time since the end of the trial.
After a nine-week trial in the Victorian Supreme Court, 50-year-old Patterson was convicted over the deaths of her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister (and Ian's wife) Heather Wilkinson after they were served a poisoned beef Wellington for lunch in July 2023.
The fourth guest was Ian Wilkinson, pastor at Korumburra Baptist Church, who survived after spending seven weeks in hospital and undergoing a liver transplant. Erin Patterson was found guilty of his attempted murder.
At his sermon on Sunday, Wilkinson was welcomed with applause by the congregation, 9News reports.
"My name is Ian... I used to lead services here a lot... And I'm pleased to be back with you again," he said.
Later in the service, a church member reportedly delivered a special prayer.
"We pray especially for the Wilkinson and Patterson families," she said.
Wilkinson reportedly chose the theme of hope for the sermon, reading from Psalm 23:4.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," he said.
He did not acknowledge the outcome of the trial which garnered worldwide attention in the small Gippsland town of Morwell, two hours east of Melbourne.
In delivering the guilty verdict, the jury was satisfied Patterson had complete control over the ingredients that went into the meal portions served to her guests – portions that included death cap mushrooms.
Patterson was expected to be sentenced in the coming weeks.
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