MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A woman accused of serving her ex-husband’s family poisonous mushrooms pleaded not guilty in an Australian court on Tuesday to three charges of murder and five charges of attempted murder.
Erin Patterson, 49, appeared briefly in Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court by video link from a Melbourne prison, where she has been held since her arrest in November last year. She is accused of killing her former parents-in-law, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail Patterson’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66.
All three died in a hospital days after consuming a meal at Patterson’s home in July.
She pleaded not guilty to all charges and will appear at Victoria state’s Supreme Court in Melbourne for the first time on May 23.
Proceedings have been fast-tracked after Patterson dispensed with a committal hearing where a magistrate would have examined the prosecution’s case to ensure there is sufficient evidence to warrant a jury trial.
Rihanna goes 'nude' as she models a lacy body suit in a video promoting her new lingerie collection
CPC disciplinary watchdog gives inspection feedback
Xi Stresses Protection of People's Safety, Health
Xi Story: Ensuring a Better Life for the People
It's (almost) Met Gala time. Here's how to watch...
Xi Focus: Xi Charts Course for Chinese Economy at New Starting Point for Modernization
Xi Stresses Need to Promote Full, Rigorous Party Self
Xi, Putin Exchange New Year Greetings
Chris Hemsworth is 'handpicked' by Vogue editor Anna Wintour to co
Xiplomacy: How China Becomes a Strong Buttress to UN