Chief toxicologist Dimitri Gerostamoulos has told a Melbourne court he detected deadly toxins inside a beef Wellington central to the triple-murder trial of Erin Patterson—evidence presented on a dramatic day in which a juror was also dismissed.
Gerostamoulos, from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, said he identified beta-amanitin— a lethal toxin found in death cap mushrooms—during chemical analysis of leftovers from the fatal lunch served by Patterson in July 2023. The same toxin was also discovered in a food dehydrator recovered from a rubbish tip shortly after the incident.
Patterson, 50, is accused of deliberately poisoning her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson and her husband Ian. Only Ian survived the lunch. Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one of attempted murder, claiming the incident was a tragic accident.
Earlier, expert scientist Camille Truong testified that she found no microscopic evidence of death cap mushrooms during her initial examination of the meal remnants. However, Gerostamoulos’ chemical analysis confirmed the presence of the highly toxic compound.
The findings add weight to the prosecution’s argument that the meal was intentionally contaminated, a key point as the trial nears the end of its third week.
Meanwhile, Justice Christopher Beale dismissed one of the 15 jurors after receiving credible information that the juror had been discussing the case with friends and family. “I was of the view that there was at least a reasonable possibility the information I received was credible,” the judge told the court.
He reminded the remaining 14 jurors not to contact the discharged member and reiterated his directive to avoid discussing the trial with anyone outside the jury room.
The trial continues on Friday, when Gerostamoulos is expected to return to the witness stand.
With AAP
