Accused triple mushroom murderer fronts Supreme Court for the first time

Accused mushroom killer Erin Patterson has faced the Supreme Court for the first time for a brief hearing.

Patterson, 49, is charged with the murder of her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66.

All three died in hospital days after consuming an allegedly deadly mushroom meal at Patterson's Leongatha home, in South Gippsland, on July 29, 2023.

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She is also accused of the attempted murder of her ex-husband Simon at the lunch, and on three occasions dating back to 2021, as well as the attempted murder of Wilkinson's husband Ian, 68.

Wilkinson spent almost two months being treated in the Austin Hospital, including in a coma.

Patterson pleaded not guilty to the three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on May 7.

Her case was fast-tracked to the Supreme Court in Melbourne, where she appeared via video link on Thursday for a directions hearing.

The contents of the hearing cannot be reported due to legal reasons.

Patterson, who is represented by barrister Colin Mandy SC, will return to the Supreme Court in August for a further hearing.