THE lone survivor of mushroom cook Erin Patterson has forgiven her after she was found guilty of murdering his wife and two friends.
Ian Wilkinson, aged 71, endured a three-week stay in intensive care after consuming a deadly meal laced with death cap mushrooms, maliciously served by Patterson.
The Australian, 50, was found guilty of killing her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, along with Mr Wilkinson’s wife and Gail’s sister, Heather.
She is due to be sentenced September 8, on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
Baptist pastor Mr Wilkinson addressed the court in a victim statement today as he said he feels “half alive” without Heather by his side.
The public gallery let out audible gasps when he ended his powerful statement by extending his forgiveness to Patterson.
He said: “I have no power or responsibility to forgive harms done to others.
“My prayer for her is that she will use her time in jail wisely to become a better person.
“I encourage Erin to receive my offer of forgiveness for those harms done to me with full confession and repentance.
“I bear her no ill will.
“I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim and she has become the victim of my kindness.”
Following a liver transplant necessitated by the poisonous meal, Mr. Wilkinson spoke warmly of his wife while paying tribute in a crowded Melbourne courtroom, standing just feet away from Patterson.
Speaking through tears he said: “The silence in our home is a daily reminder.
“I continue to carry a heavy burden of grief over her untimely death.
“It’s a truly horrible thought to live with that somebody could decide to take her life.
“I only feel half alive without her.”
Mr Wilkinson then directed his anger towards Patterson who he said “acted with callous and calculated disregard”.
He questioned: “What drives a person to believe that murder is a solution to their issues, particularly when it involves the murder of individuals who harbor only goodwill towards her?”
Patterson appeared emotionally moved as Mr Wilkinson spoke alongside seven relatives of her victims.
In total, 28 victim impact statements have been submitted to the court ahead of Patterson’s sentencing next month.
One of these includes Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon, who turned down an invite to the fatal lunch which took the lives of his parents.
His statement read: “I miss my parents and aunt more than words can express.
“I will be aware for the next 30 years that they could still be alive had Erin chosen not to murder them.
“My children are left without grandparents as a result of these murders.
“They have also been robbed of hope for the kind of relationship with their mother that every child naturally yearns for.”
Patterson faces a potential life sentence for each of the murders and an additional 25 years for attempted murder.
Prosecution lawyers are demanding she spends the rest of her life behind bars without any chance of parole.
Prosecutor Jane Warren informed the judge: “This crime is so vicious and appalling that, in our view, the offender is unworthy of the court’s leniency.”
Justice Christopher Beale did admit: “The offending here is horrendous.”
Despite being found guilty Patterson has always claimed the murders were accidental.
She has 28 days from the day of her sentencing to formally appeal the verdict.
