The real reason behind Erin Patterson's court bombshell - as her jail ... trends now
Accused mushroom chef Erin Patterson has asked that her committal hearing be held in her local area despite it meaning extra jail time - with her lawyer revealing why.
Ms Patterson, 48, appeared in LaTrobe Valley Magistrates' Court via video-link for a special hearing on Monday - her first public appearance in over five months.
The mother-of-two is being represented by barrister Colin Mandy SC in what is expected to be a three-week committal hearing.
Mr Mandy argued there were 'powerful reasons' for the hearing to take place in Ms Patterson's local community in Leongatha, eastern Victoria, noting that many of the witnesses would be coming from there.
'Those are her instructions, your honour. She would like to have her committal heard... in her local community,' he told Magistrate Tim Walsh.
'It's not only a matter of principle, there are powerful reasons for a committal having to take place in Ms Patterson's local community.
'The proceedings should be held in the community where the offences are alleged to have taken place, closer to her home.'
Mr Walsh said he could not accommodate the preliminary hearing in the court in Morwell, 60km from Leongatha, because it was booked out.
He warned that a delay could see Ms Patterson spend an extra 15 months in custody on top of the 172 days she has already spent behind bars.
Ms Patterson appeared in LaTrobe Valley Magistrates' Court via video-link for a special hearing on Monday - her first public appearance in over five months
Criminal defence lawyer Celine Khoury (pictured on Sunrise on Tuesday morning) said it could be up to two years before Erin Patterson's trial takes place
Ms Patterson has been behind bars at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Melbourne's western industrial suburbs since her arrest last November (pictured, a cell in the prison)
Criminal defence lawyer Celine Khoury told Sunrise host Natalie Barr
