Erin Patterson is on trial in Australia, accused of murdering three of her ex-husband's family members by serving them beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms. The meal, prepared for a family gathering at Patterson's home, resulted in the hospitalization of all four guests, with three subsequently dying from the poisoning. The prosecution has dropped charges of attempted murder against her husband, Simon Patterson, who was not present at the meal. Patterson's defense claims the mushroom poisoning was accidental, despite inconsistencies in her statements about the source of the mushrooms. The trial, which has raised questions about Patterson's motives and credibility, is set to continue for six weeks in the Victoria state Supreme Court.

Erin Patterson is accused of poisoning her ex-husband's family with a meal containing death cap mushrooms, leading to the hospitalization and subsequent death of three relatives.

The gathering was held at Patterson's home in Leongartha, where she served beef Wellington, mashed potatoes, and green beans, which she claims were prepared with a mix of store-bought and foraged mushrooms.

Prosecutors have dropped charges of attempted murder against Patterson's husband, Simon, who was not present at the meal, though he had been invited.

Defense attorney Colin Mandy argues that the poisoning was an accident and challenges the prosecution's lack of evidence regarding a motive for the alleged crime.

The prosecution highlights Patterson's inconsistent accounts regarding the source of the mushrooms and her fabricated ovarian cancer diagnosis, which she used to explain her children's absence from the lunch.

Heather Wilkinson, one of the victims, noted at the time that Patterson ate from a different plate, which raised suspicions about her intentions during the meal.

The trial is expected to span six weeks, with the prosecution focusing on the circumstantial evidence surrounding the poisoning incident.