Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial LIVE updates: Defence wraps up its case as marathon murder trial enters its final days
Murder trial winding up before jury handed the time to decide accused killer's fate
Lead defence barrister Colin Mandy SC commenced his closing address to the jury in the Erin Patterson murder trial on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Mandy, who is expected to wrap up his closing address today, called the prosecution's case 'flawed' and even labelled an aspect of the case a 'charade'.
Crown prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers wrapped up her closing address to the jury just before lunch on Tuesday.
Justice Christopher Beale has indicated he will commence his 'charge' to the jury after Mr Mandy has concluded his closing address.
Justice Beale already indicated to the jury his final instructions will go for several days.
The closings followed Patterson who entered the witness box for her eighth and final day in her own marathon murder trial last Thursday.
Dozens of members of the public have braved the cold to queue up outside (pictured) the courthouse very early each morning to get a front row seat in the courtroom.
Patterson, 50, is accused of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, after allegedly serving them a beef Wellington lunch made with death cap mushrooms.
Patterson is also accused of attempting to murder Heather's husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, who survived the lunch after spending several weeks in an intensive care unit.
The court heard Patterson's estranged husband, Simon, was also invited to the gathering at her home in Leongatha, in Victoria's Gippsland region, but didn't attend.
Witnesses told the jury that Patterson ate her serving from a smaller, differently-coloured plate to those of her guests, who ate off four grey plates.
Patterson told authorities she bought dried mushrooms from an unnamed Asian store in the Monash area of Melbourne, but health inspectors could find no evidence of this.
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