Erin Patterson will head straight to a jury trial after abandoning her attempts to hold a preliminary hearing in her local community.
Patterson officially pleaded not guilty to the murder of her in-laws and ex-husband during a hearing in LaTrobe Valley Magistrate Court on Tuesday.
The shock plea means Patterson will now go straight to the Supreme Court of Victoria where a jury will decide his fate.
Erin Patterson was dressed in a blue sweater during her court appearance via video link on Tuesday
Patterson wanted to hold his preliminary hearing close to his local community.
Patterson, 48, showed no emotion as he responded “not guilty, your honor” eight times.
She appeared before Magistrate Tim Walsh via video link from a conference room at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre.
Dressed in a blue prison suit, Patterson appeared relaxed before pleading guilty, discussing with a member of prison staff the number of journalists also on the video link.
Patterson was expected to hold a three-week preliminary hearing before his likely referral to the Supreme Court.
Preliminary hearings are often conducted by accused killers in an effort to allow their legal teams to conduct tests. proof, it is presented to a jury.
It is understood her ex-husband, Simon Patterson, was likely among the witnesses called at that hearing.
Last month the court heard that Patterson had been determined to have a preliminary hearing at Morwell Magistrates’ Court, although it may not be heard until next year.
Magistrate Walsh told Mr Mandy he could not hold the preliminary hearing this year because the court was full.
“I’m not just waiting for Mr. Mandy because I don’t think it’s fair to your client,” he told her.
Don and Gail Patterson died after eating an allegedly poisoned meal at Erin Patterson’s home
Mr Mandy insisted these were Patterson’s own instructions and he was determined to see them come to fruition, whatever the delay.
“She would like her detention hearing to take place in Your Honour’s court, in her local community, and she is content to wait until the court can accommodate her,” he said.
It remains unclear what caused Patterson to change his mind and go directly to the Supreme Court.
Mr Walsh had warned Patterson she risked spending a long period behind bars at the Dame Phyllis Frost Center while awaiting a court date.
“Does she understand that it’s unlikely to be this year?” ” He asked.
“Yes, your honor,” was the response.
“We anticipated that the court would be able to accommodate us at this time, in this window that we have pointed out with your honor, but if it is next year, Ms. Patterson is content to wait.
“Which puts her in custody for 14 or 15 months…at least,” Mr Walsh said.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson (right) survived the meal but his wife Gail (left) perished
The Leongatha house where Erin Patterson is accused of murdering her estranged family members
Crown prosecutor Sarah Lenthall objected to the proposed delay.
“Our position is that incarceration should take place as soon as possible,” she said.
The court heard the matter could be heard in Melbourne without delay or taken directly to the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Mr Mandy said the proceedings should take place in the community where the alleged crime occurred and close to the accused’s home.
“This is the appropriate venue for proceedings… we anticipate a three week committal and most of the witnesses are from this area and those who are not, we have agreed they will be able to appear by (video link) “, did he declare.
“This is not just a matter of principle and there are powerful reasons for incarceration to take place in Ms. Patterson’s local community.”
Mr Walsh told Patterson the court was in Morwell, about 60km from Leongatha, where the alleged murders took place.
“It’s close to Patterson’s home in the context of regional Victoria,” Mr Mandy said.
Erin Patterson is accused of attempting to murder her ex-husband, Simon Patterson (photo)
Mr Walsh refused to commit to Patterson’s request and said he would make his decision on Tuesday before the shock reversal.
Patterson’s former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, died of suspected mushroom poisoning after eating a beef Wellington dish cooked by Patterson at her home in Leongatha on July 29.
She is additionally charged with five counts of attempted murder of her ex-husband, Simon Patterson.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only one to survive the deadly lunch.
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