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Accused allegedly tried to kill estranged husband three times before mushroom meal
Erin Patterson has been charged with trying to kill her ex-husband at least three times in the years before she allegedly fed his family a lunch of deadly mushrooms.
The new details were revealed in court documents, as the 49-year-old woman faced court on Friday charged with three counts of murder and five of attempted murder.
She is accused of killing her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66.
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All three died in hospital days after consuming a meal at Patterson's Leongatha home, in South Gippsland, on July 29 this year.
Patterson showed no emotion as she sat in the custody dock.
She is also accused of the attempted murder of her ex-husband Simon on at least four occasions, dating back to 2021, court documents revealed.
Police allege Patterson first attempted to murder Simon between November 16 and 17, 2021.
She is then accused of her ex-husband's attempted murder in 2022, between May 25 and 27, and on September 6.
It's further alleged she attempted to kill Simon at the July 29 lunch.
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The fifth attempted murder charge relates to Wilkinson's husband Ian, 68, who spent close to two months in hospital critically ill after the lunch and is still in recovery.
Media filled three rows of seating as Patterson appeared in Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on Friday morning, wearing a beige jumper and reading glasses, for a brief hearing.
Flanked by two custody officers in safety glasses, Patterson showed no emotion as she sat in the dock on the side of the courtroom.
Prosecutor Acting Sergeant Greg Ellis asked the court for 20 weeks to prepare and serve a brief of evidence on Patterson's lawyers.
"There needs to be analysis of computer equipment seized yesterday," he told the court.
Magistrate Tim Walsh appeared annoyed and questioned why it would take "20 weeks to analyse computer equipment in a triple murder, where the informant is confident he had enough evidence to charge this lady yesterday?"
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Defence lawyer Bill Doogue, who said he had been engaged with Patterson "for a while", agreed to the delay.
"It seems to be based on a lot of analysis that we haven't received and hasn't even been completed, which is why they're asking for extra time," he said.
Walsh explained to Patterson that the matters they were discussing were administrative.
"So don't be too concerned alright, the important thing is this matter progresses through the system as fast as possible," he told her.
"OK," she replied, nodding her head.
Doogue said evidence seemed to be based on analysis not received.
Both the defence and prosecution tried to move the matter to Melbourne, but Walsh decided to set down the next hearing at the Morwell court.
"I imagine the materials are going to be voluminous, and that it does go to Melbourne so that a particular magistrate can manage the matter," Walsh said.
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Doogue said Patterson did not have any custody management issues.
The magistrate told Patterson there was no application for bail as he did not have the power to grant it.
If she applies for bail, that will need to be heard in the Supreme Court at a later date.
The accused triple murderer was silent as she was escorted out of the courtroom.
Patterson was remanded in custody and will next face court via video link from prison on May 3 next year.
Woman in hospital after being mowed down in suspected hit-and-run
A mother of two is in hospital after she was mowed down by a car in Sydney's west early this morning.
Emergency services were called to Sherringham Road in Cranebrook just before 4am on Friday by multiple residents on the street after a woman was found lying in the gutter.
Police believe the 27-year-old had been hit by a car that left the scene after the incident.
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"It was a horrible noise, it woke me up. It was horrible," a resident said.
"I went straight to the window and I saw a lady on the ground a car just drove off," another resident said.
The woman was treated by paramedics for serious head injuries and hand injuries including an amputated finger before being taken to hospital.
She is now in a stable condition.
A crime scene has been set up at Sherringham Road.
A man was also found in a home on McGann Place suffering multiple lacerations.
Police are investigating what happened before the hit-and-run after residents in the area reported seeing the young mother arguing with someone nearby in the early hours of the morning.
"I just heard, I don't know who it was, but just an argument in my street I came out to have a look but didn't see anything at the time," one resident told 9News.
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It is yet to be determined whether the person who ran her over is the same person she was seen arguing with.
A crime scene has also been set up at the home.
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Why a photo of a Coles delivery truck sparked outrage
A Coles delivery truck has sparked outrage in a Melbourne suburb after it was photographed parked in a disability parking space.
The vehicle was snapped parked outside a doctor's surgery in Deepdene on Monday in the city's east, supposedly without the appropriate permit.
An outraged passerby took to Facebook to deplore the act, claiming the driver had prevented another person who required the spot from parking.
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"How long has Coles and 'Nicole' had disabled parking?" they wrote.
"While this guy was making his deliveries a poor person was wanting this spot to attend his Doctor's appointment."
In the photo, the truck is clearly parked in front of a parking sign that states the space is a "Mail Zone" between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, and at all other times the space is reserved for disability parking.
In Victoria, only postal vehicles can stop or park in a "Mail Zone", any other vehicle risks a fine of $115.
Anyone caught stopped in a disability parking bay without a permit can be fined $192.
A Coles spokesperson told 9News.com.au that all delivery drivers undergo extensive training on standard road rules "including where to park when delivering groceries".
"We are working to investigate this incident and will provide further education where needed to ensure this doesn't happen again," they said.
Teenager found dead on Victorian freeway
Police are investigating the death of a teenage boy in Gippsland after his body was found on a nearby freeway.
Emergency services were called to the Princes Freeway at Moe about 3am this morning, where a 17-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
A number of witnesses are assisting police in determining how the boy came to be on the major freeway, with consideration into whether he may have fallen from a nearby overpass.
READ MORE: Mushroom cook Erin Patterson charged with murder over alleged poisoning deaths
Detectives are appealing for public assistance in their investigation and are hoping to speak with a truck driver who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
9News understands the truck was seen transporting a blue or green shipping container at the time of the incident.
Investigations are ongoing into the exact cause of the incident.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has dashcam/CCTV footage of a man walking near the road or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.