By Kristian Silva, ABC court reporter
Erin Patterson was arrested and charged with murder on 2 November 2023. Photo: Screenshot / ABC
The woman accused of murdering three of her relatives by serving a beef Wellington laced with poisonous mushrooms has faced Victoria's Supreme Court for the first time.
Erin Patterson appeared via video link for the brief directions hearing, as the court prepares for her upcoming murder trial.
Prosecutors have charged Patterson with three counts of murder over the deaths of father-in-law Don Patterson, mother-in-law Gail Patterson and extended relative Heather Wilkinson, who attended a lunch at Patterson's home in July last year.
They have also charged Patterson with the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, another relative who attended the lunch but survived after a stint in hospital.
Police allege Patterson also attempted to murder her estranged husband Simon Patterson on several occasions.
She has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
Most of the details from Thursday's hearing, before judicial registrar Tim Freeman, cannot be reported for legal reasons.
Patterson was represented in court by her barrister Colin Mandy SC, while the Crown prosecutor in the case was Jane Warren.
The case will return to court in August.
- ABC
