Accused mushroom killer's request as she faces court
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Accused triple mushroom killer Erin Patterson is happy to wait behind bars for more than a year if it means her murder case can be held near her regional Victorian home. The 49-year-old woman faced Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on Monday morning by video link from prison. Her hair tied back in a bun, Patterson was wearing glasses and a blue prison jumper as she sat on the link. She is accused of killing 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 a meal at Patterson's Leongatha home, in South Gippsland, on July 29, 2023. She is also accused of the attempted murder of her ex-husband Simon at the lunch and on three occasions dating back to 2021, and the attempted murder of Wilkinson's husband Ian, 68. Magistrate Tim Walsh asked if Patterson could hear him OK and she replied "yes, thank you" as the brief hearing got underway. More than 70 people watched on video link, with dozens of journalists and observers sitting in the court room at Morwell, about 150km east of Melbourne. Walsh said the regional magistrates court could not accommodate Patterson's committal hearing until next year, as it was servicing six courts out of one location. He asked Patterson's barrister, Colin Mandy SC, if the case could be moved to Melbourne Magistrates Court or fast-tracked to the Supreme Court. Mandy said Patterson wanted the committal hearing to be heard at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court. "If it happens next year, then Patterson's content to wait for that," he told the court. "Which puts her in custody 14 or 15 months ... at the least," Walsh replied. The defence barrister said Patterson wanted the committal to be held close to her home. "It's not only a matter of principle, and there are powerful reasons for the committal having to take place in Patterson's local community," Mandy said. The magistrate pointed out Morwell was not her home, but Mandy said "that's close to Patterson's home, in the context of regional Victoria". "I understand your client consents ... but the delay seems to be getting a bit out there," Walsh said. The defence has provided prosecutors with a list of anticipated witnesses to be called at the committal. Mandy said he expected the hearing to go for three weeks. The case was adjourned to a committal mention on May 7, when Walsh will decide whether to move it to Melbourne. Patterson was remanded in custody to face court by video link on that date.