Digital forensic expert Dr. Matthew Sorrell, who is providing testimony in Patterson’s triple-murder trial, informed the jury that her phone had registered signals near areas known for death cap mushrooms in May 2023.

Prosecutors claim she intentionally prepared a beef Wellington infused with death cap mushrooms for her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, on July 29, 2023.

Heather’s husband Ian also ate the lunch but survived and Patterson has been charged with his attempted murder.

She has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and is on trial in the Victorian Supreme Court in Morwell.

Sorrell said analysis of Patterson’s phone records showed she was in the vicinity of the Gippsland towns of Outtrim and Loch on May 22, 2023.

The jury was told a post was published on the iNaturalist science website on May 21, outlining that death cap mushrooms had been located on Neilson Street, Outtrim.

Another post on April 18 stated the poisonous mushrooms had been spotted earlier that day at the Loch recreation reserve.

Christine McKenzie, who made the April post, told the jury she removed all of the mushrooms because she was worried about the public’s safety.

In her evidence on Monday, McKenzie confirmed she did not return to the reserve although there was a chance more death caps could have grown back.

Sorrell told the jury the phone data supported the proposition that Patterson’s mobile was near Neilson Street and the Loch recreation reserve on May 22.

The digital forensics expert gave evidence for three hours on Monday but is yet to be questioned by Patterson’s lawyers.

His evidence before Justice Christopher Beale continues today.