Erin Patterson was last month convicted of the murders of three people after she served them a beef wellington meal that was stuffed with deadly death cap mushrooms
A survivor of a deadly mushroom lunch has forgiven killer Erin Patterson for attempting to murder him.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson said he forgiven Paterson for attempting to kill him with a poisoned beef wellington during a lunch in Melbourne, Australia, in 2023. His wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law were killed after Patterson served the deadly meal.
Mr Wilkinson told the supreme court in Melbourne on Monday he had not yet made a full recovery from the death cap mushroom poisoning he suffered. Patterson was convicted last month over the murders of Heather Wilkinson, 66, as well as Don and Gail Patterson, both 70.
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She was also convicted of the attempted murder of Mr Wilkinson. Patterson faced a plea hearing on Monday, where impact statements were read out at the Victoria court ahead of her sentencing, The Guardian reported. Mr Wilkinson faced Justice Christopher Beale rather than Patterson and spoke for about 20 minutes about what he called the “fateful lunch.”
“I make an offer of forgiveness to Erin,” Mr Wilkinson told the court. “In regards to the murders of Heather and Gail and Don, I am compelled to seek justice. Now I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness.”
Mr Wilkinson said he held no ill will toward Patterson and his prayer for her was that she would reform while in custody.
He said he was still troubled by her decision to kill his loved ones and also to kill him as well. “I am distressed that Erin has acted with callous and calculated disregard for my life and the life of those I loved,” he added.
“What foolishness possesses someone to think that murder could be the solution to their problems, particularly people who only have good intentions towards her?”
Mr Wilkinson’s statement was the first of seven victim impact statements that were read out in court with 28 being tendered to the court for Beale’s consideration. He went on to speak of his marriage to Heather for 44 years and the loss of joy the murders have caused.
Mr Wilkinson said: “She was wise, and had skills that made up for my shortcomings. Together we faced life as a team, and we delighted in each other’s company.
“The way our children conducted themselves through the crisis of our illness and the subsequent legal processings is testament to her mothering skills … the trauma they experienced at their mother’s death, and my near death, has left deep wounds.”
Mr Wilkinson continued, adding it was “a truly horrible thought to live with, that someone could decide to take her life.” He then went on o take off his glasses and dabbed his tears with a tissue before he continued.
“My consolation is we will be reunited in the resurrection, and the age to come,” he added. He then bemoaned that “so much attention is showered on those who do evil, and so little on those who do good.”
The court is due to hear about Patterson’s stint in custody from Jenny Hosking, the assistant commissioner of Corrections Victoria, later today.