Mushroom lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson returns to church after Patterson guilty verdict
A Supreme Court jury found Patterson guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after serving beef wellington dishes laced with death cap mushrooms at her Leongatha home in July 2023.
In his sermon on Sunday, Mr Wilkinson gave everyone a warm welcome, including those visiting from interstate and watching online, and was applauded by the congregation.
"Somebody's come all the way from Brisbane to be with us today," Mr Wilkinson said.
"And we have some other visitors too.
"I should introduce myself… my name is Ian; I used to lead services here.
The light-hearted moment was met with laughter from the congregation, before it was straight back to business for Mr Wilkinson, who began the service by reading psalms and announcing upcoming events in Korumburra.
Later in the service, a church member delivered a prayer.
"We pray especially for the Wilkinson and Patterson families," she said.
Mr Wilkinson did not break his silence on the outcome of the Erin Patterson trial.
After eating the beef wellington at Erin Patterson's house, Mr Wilkinson spent a number of weeks recovering in hospital.
Patterson was found guilty of murdering her parent-in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, and the attempted murder of her husband Mr Wilkinson by a jury earlier this month.
Patterson, 50, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court the poisonous mushrooms were accidentally included in the meals she served to four relatives in 2023.
Patterson, who was expected lodge an appeal of the guilty verdict, will be sentenced at a later date.
The trial lasted more than two months, and the jurors heard from more than 50 witnesses.
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