The ex-husband of accused killer Erin Patterson has given emotional testimony on day three of her triple-murder trial. Simon Patterson’s parents and aunt died after being served a meal that poisonous mushrooms. Today, he was quizzed about his strained relationship with his estranged wife and their interactions before and after the fateful lunch.
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00:00He was once married to Erin Patterson, then estranged.
00:07Today, Simon Patterson was a key witness in her murder trial.
00:12Mr Patterson appeared emotional at times during questioning,
00:16asking for tissues at one point,
00:18his voice breaking when he spoke about his late father
00:21and his condition when he first saw him in hospital.
00:25He was really struggling, lying on his side, hunched quite noticeably.
00:29His voice was like he wasn't right inside.
00:32He was feeling pain.
00:34Simon Patterson was questioned at length about the nature of his relationship with Erin,
00:39saying she was intelligent, witty and could be quite funny.
00:43The court heard Erin later described their on-again, off-again relationship as toxic,
00:48but the pair maintained a functional relationship right up until 2023
00:53when Erin invited Simon to a lunch with his parents, aunt and uncle.
00:57Something he told the court he could never recall her doing before.
01:01The jury was shown a text exchange between Erin and Simon Patterson the day before the lunch.
01:07Simon saying sorry, but he felt too uncomfortable to come.
01:11Erin replied almost immediately,
01:13That's really disappointing.
01:15I've spent many hours this week preparing lunch for tomorrow.
01:18It's important to me that you're all there tomorrow and that I can have the conversations I need to have.
01:24I hope you change your mind.
01:26During cross-examination, the court heard Erin Patterson was the beneficiary of millions of dollars worth of family inheritance.
01:34Mr Patterson confirmed they'd handed interest-free loans to his siblings for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
01:41He agreed money had never been a motivating factor for his wife.
01:46He was also questioned about Erin Patterson's relationship with his parents.
01:50She especially got along with dad, he said.
01:53They shared a love of knowledge and learning.
01:55I think she loved his gentle nature.
01:58Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges against her.
02:01He raised her.
02:02England