Erin Patterson trial live updates: estranged husband Simon Patterson’s evidence to continue in mushroom cook’s murder case | Victoria

Day three recap

Before today gets underway, here’s a recap of what the jury heard yesterday:

1. Text messages shown to the court on Thursday revealed Erin had texted Simon on the eve of the mushroom lunch, saying she had spent a “small fortune” on buying eye fillet steak for her “special meal” of beef wellingtons. She said she hoped Simon would change his mind after he turned down the invitation.

2. Simon recalled Erin saying she had conducted a “blind taste test” with her daughter by putting dehydrated mushrooms in muffins. He told the court Erin remarked it was “interesting” that their child preferred the muffin that contained mushrooms given she didn’t like mushrooms.

3. Jurors also heard details about Erin’s relationship with Simon’s parents. He told the court Erin was particularly close with his father, Don.

4. Asked about Erin’s self-esteem, Simon said his estranged wife was “not particularly happy with how she is”.

“I don’t think she has high self-esteem,” he told the court.

5. Simon recalled Erin’s mixed plate collection at her home in Leongatha. Under cross-examination, he described her collection, saying there were some plates that matched and a single colourful plate.