Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #10 *Arrest*

[Deleted member 363451]

Erin Patterson murder trial day 21 – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

5m ago21.29 EDT
Defendent’s daughter remembers visiting Asian grocer after rewatching video evidence

Prosecutor Jane Warren asks Eppingstallabout evidence by Patterson’s daughter given during a pre-recorded police interview that was played to the court earlier in the trial.

In the video Patterson’s daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had not been to an Asian grocer with her mother before.

Eppingstall says when Patterson’s daughter rewatched her evidence, with a child witness support person, she said she remembered going to an Asian-style food store for cooking with her mother on one occasion.

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Updated at 21.31 EDT

15m ago21.19 EDT
Jurors enter courtroom

The jurors have entered the courtroom in Morwell.

Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall, the officer in charge of the investigation into the lethal lunch, is continuing to give evidence.

How convenient...

 

[MrJ]

Just now

Erin told friend she bought new phone when hers was broken
By Joseph Dunstan

Erin's friend Jenny Hay replied:

Oh, how stressful Erin. Maybe you can get the screen fixed in NZ [edited] if they can do it quickly.

In response, Erin said:

yeah i'm going to see if I can tomorrow. It makes me realise how ridiculous it is that having a broken phone makes everything so difficult. I cant get into my banking on my laptop because it sends an authorisation sms to my phone ... etc etc like how dumb am I to make [everything dependent on my phone]

I had to buy new phone today because I couldn't get the other one fixed. Idk why but setting up a new phone is incredibly stressful for me

I got a Samsung galaxy a23. The cheapest I could get while not being an absolute piece of phone. It was still $400 though

 

[Porky1]

If she had worn makeup she would have been called vain for caring about her looks when people were so unwell.

This might be correct if she had a full face applied, although I would never judge on appearance alone. Many wear very natural make-up and for some, they only wear mascara.

Iam not saying she did or didn’t, just that every action doesn’t equal guilt.

 

[katydid23]

Erin Patterson murder trial day 21 – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

More phone records shown to jury

The jury is shown a table listing connections from Patterson’s phone to the Poowong Central base station.

On Wednesday 9 March 2022 a connection commenced at 5.31pm and ceased at 6.27pm, the court hears.

On Thursday 10 March, a connection commenced at 7.42pm and ceased at 8.33pm, the table shows.

The jury is then shown messages from the app Signal extracted from a mobile phone seized from Patterson’s home. The messages are between Patterson and her estranged husband, Simon.

One message is sent from Simon to Erin on 10 March 2022 at 5.12pm:

Hey I think [our son] has bbball tonight. Are you geared up for it?

Erin replies at 5.15pm the same day:

Yesh, although idk if I have bball shorts for him. I’ll check.

At 5.17pm Erin writes:

yeah we have shorts and his game is 7.40.

The jury is then shown a message sent by Erin to Simon on 17 March at 8.09pm :

I’m feeling very unhappy about [our son’s] hip. He came from school saying it was hurting quite a bit this week, and not just doing sport but whenever he stands up from a sitting position, and right now during basketball he says it is hurting quite a bit. The bloody orthopedic surgeon can’t see him again until April 27th. That just doesn’t feel good enough.”

Simon replies the same day at 10.02pm:

It’s 6 weeks away, eh. Not sure what to do about that. Maybe try to attack it another way before then? Dave at work mentioned some kind of masseuse he has used who helped him a lot …”

Simon replies on 17 March 10.24pm:

Yeah I dunno. Sounds like this guy (I think it’s a guy) can positively effect joints. I suspect it’s worth a try. May ease pain even if it doesn’t heal him, anyway.

Erin later messages Simon:

Hey I really hope you can come see [our son] play bball this season even if you have to miss a Bible study. He’s playing really well … I was super proud of how far he has come.”

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I don't know if you actually need to learn about factory resets.
The option is right there on your phone so you'd just go step by step.

 

[Detechtive]

Erin Patterson murder trial day 21 – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

More phone records shown to jury

The jury is shown a table listing connections from Patterson’s phone to the Poowong Central base station.

On Wednesday 9 March 2022 a connection commenced at 5.31pm and ceased at 6.27pm, the court hears.

On Thursday 10 March, a connection commenced at 7.42pm and ceased at 8.33pm, the table shows.

The jury is then shown messages from the app Signal extracted from a mobile phone seized from Patterson’s home. The messages are between Patterson and her estranged husband, Simon.

One message is sent from Simon to Erin on 10 March 2022 at 5.12pm:


Erin replies at 5.15pm the same day:


At 5.17pm Erin writes:




The jury is then shown a message sent by Erin to Simon on 17 March at 8.09pm :


Simon replies the same day at 10.02pm:



Simon replies on 17 March 10.24pm:


Erin later messages Simon:

Trying to understand why these are relevant..

 

[MrJ]

1m ago

SIM card was moved between devices, court hears

By Joseph Dunstan

There's a lot of dense technical evidence being walked through by the prosecution now.

It involves pages and pages of records connected to a SIM card, which the court hears were moved between devices in the months around the lunch.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I see now why she thought she needed a second phone for just in case something happened to her main phone.

 

[Deleted member 363451]

6m ago

Police visited mushroom wholesaler​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

LSC Eppingstall confirms there are four wholesalers that distribute mushrooms to Woolworths, but only two that supply to a Leongatha store.

He says that an officer attended one wholesale facility in Mernda on September 6, 2023.

The officer was taken on a tour of the facility and also shown the process of cultivating mushrooms from start to finish including soil gathering, picking and packaging.

The whole tour was recorded.

10m ago

More Woolworths purchases​

​

By Joseph Dunstan​

On July 27, another list details purchases of more puff pastry and filo pastry, beef eye fillets and more sliced mushrooms.

Then on July 28, more puff pastry and filo pastry is listed, along with 1.5 kilograms of mashed potato and 340 grams of cleaned beans.

Some Gravox gravy and more beef eye fillet is also highlighted.

Key Event
11m ago

Erin's Woolworths grocery shopping​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The court is shown a screenshot of an account-type form.

It contains Erin's name and contact details, then a long list of Woolworths Leongatha purchases, some of which have been highlighted in yellow.

On July 23, the following items are highlighted:

- 2 x 500 grams of sliced mushrooms

- 1kg of WW puff pastry

- Filo pastry

- Shallot onions

The list suggests July 23 was quite a big grocery day, with other items not highlighted including some Bulla raspberry splits, salami, shaved turkey, yoghurt, parmesan, spinach, a danish and some Le Snaks.

12m ago

We revisit Erin's daughter's police interview​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

A few quick questions are asked about Erin's daughter's police interview, which the jury has previously been shown.

In that interview Erin's daughter said she had not been to any Asian grocer with her mum.

Prosecutor Jane Warren asks LSC Eppingstall if he is aware that she told a child witness support person that she "once did go to an Asian-type food place for cooking" when she re-watched the tape.

He says yes.

22m ago

A few of the CCTV cameras in the case have the wrong time​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The jury is shown a table titled "CCTV Timestamp Accuracy", which outlines a few places where CCTV footage is being used as evidence in the case.

It notes that the Leongatha Hospital CCTV timestamp is one hour and 42 minutes ahead.

The Subway Leongatha's CCTV is one hour behind.

Just the BP Caldermeade and Koonwarra Transfer Station are running on time.

Key Event
24m ago

Police detective takes the stand​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall has returned to the stand.

We're reminded that before proceedings finished for the day yesterday, the jury were shown CCTV footage at a subway.

The vision showed Erin's car arriving at the subway, her son getting out of the car, then the car driving away before returning about 11 minutes later.

Erin Patterson trial jury shown screenshots of death cap search — as it happened

A police detective is giving evidence in murder trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of deliberately poisoning four relatives with a meal containing death cap mushrooms, killing three.

www.abc.net.au

6m ago

Police visited mushroom wholesaler​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

LSC Eppingstall confirms there are four wholesalers that distribute mushrooms to Woolworths, but only two that supply to a Leongatha store.

He says that an officer attended one wholesale facility in Mernda on September 6, 2023.

The officer was taken on a tour of the facility and also shown the process of cultivating mushrooms from start to finish including soil gathering, picking and packaging.

The whole tour was recorded.

10m ago

More Woolworths purchases​

​

By Joseph Dunstan​

On July 27, another list details purchases of more puff pastry and filo pastry, beef eye fillets and more sliced mushrooms.

Then on July 28, more puff pastry and filo pastry is listed, along with 1.5 kilograms of mashed potato and 340 grams of cleaned beans.

Some Gravox gravy and more beef eye fillet is also highlighted.

Key Event
11m ago

Erin's Woolworths grocery shopping​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The court is shown a screenshot of an account-type form.

It contains Erin's name and contact details, then a long list of Woolworths Leongatha purchases, some of which have been highlighted in yellow.

On July 23, the following items are highlighted:

- 2 x 500 grams of sliced mushrooms

- 1kg of WW puff pastry

- Filo pastry

- Shallot onions

The list suggests July 23 was quite a big grocery day, with other items not highlighted including some Bulla raspberry splits, salami, shaved turkey, yoghurt, parmesan, spinach, a danish and some Le Snaks.

12m ago

We revisit Erin's daughter's police interview​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

A few quick questions are asked about Erin's daughter's police interview, which the jury has previously been shown.

In that interview Erin's daughter said she had not been to any Asian grocer with her mum.

Prosecutor Jane Warren asks LSC Eppingstall if he is aware that she told a child witness support person that she "once did go to an Asian-type food place for cooking" when she re-watched the tape.

He says yes.

22m ago

A few of the CCTV cameras in the case have the wrong time​

By Joseph Dunstan​

The jury is shown a table titled "CCTV Timestamp Accuracy", which outlines a few places where CCTV footage is being used as evidence in the case.

It notes that the Leongatha Hospital CCTV timestamp is one hour and 42 minutes ahead.

The Subway Leongatha's CCTV is one hour behind.

Just the BP Caldermeade and Koonwarra Transfer Station are running on time.

Key Event
24m ago

Police detective takes the stand​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall has returned to the stand.

We're reminded that before proceedings finished for the day yesterday, the jury were shown CCTV footage at a subway.

The vision showed Erin's car arriving at the subway, her son getting out of the car, then the car driving away before returning about 11 minutes later.

Erin Patterson trial jury shown screenshots of death cap search — as it happened

A police detective is giving evidence in murder trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of deliberately poisoning four relatives with a meal containing death cap mushrooms, killing three.

www.abc.net.au

So Erin purchased 1 kg mushrooms on the 23rd July and then some more on the 27th July...

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I don't think she was wearing any makeup earlier, but later for court I think she was wearing very natural looking makeup.
Maybe it was on lawyers advice.

 

[Deleted member 363451]

She also bought 1.5kgs of Mashed potato, can't tell if this is 'instant' frozen mashed potato - or was that meant to read "mashing potato"?

Either way, it looks like all of her focus went into the duxelle, not so much the food served with it.

The Recipetineats recipe called for a red wine jus. I've never heard of beef wellington served with gravy.

The recipe consisted of 1 kg mushrooms. What did she use the 1 kg mushrooms that she bought at Woollies on the 23rd July for?

 

[MrJ]

3m ago
Erin's seized phone only connected in July

By Mikaela Ortolan

LSC Eppingstall tells the court Erin Patterson supplied a Samsung Galaxy A23 to police at the end of the search warrant they conducted at her property on August 5.

He says the SIM card in that phone was connected to a number ending in 835.

The court hears phone checks revealed that number had only been connected as of July 11, 2023.

LSC Eppingstall says it had been used in a tablet device until August 3, 2023 before it was put in the phone that was then handed into police.

The usage of that number was limited to data besides a few text exchanges.

 

[Detechtive]

Details about Erin's 'possible visits' to area where death caps found​

The jury has previously heard from digital forensics expert Matthew Sorell, who analysed Erin’s phone records from January 1, 2022, to April 27, 2023, relating to the Loch area.
He told the court it was his opinion that the mobile phone made a “possible visit” to Loch on both April 28 and May 22, 2023, after death caps were logged in the area on citizen science website iNaturalist on April 18.

Earlier in the trial, Dr Sorell told the jury he detected eight “possible visits” by the mobile phone to the Loch area during this 18-month period.
The jury is now being shown the phone records relating to these “possible visits”, including on March 10 and March 17, 2022, as well as Signal messages between Erin and her estranged husband Simon from those same days.

March 10
Simon: Hey I think (our son) has bball tonight. Are you geared up for it?
Erin: Yeah although idk if I have bball shorts for him. I’ll check
Erin: Yeah we have shorts and his game is 7.40

March 17
Erin: Hey I really hope you can come see (our son) play bball this season even if you have to miss a Bible study. He’s playing really well, even with a dodgy hip. He played quite a … game tonight. He said he got a foul, and there were a couple of guys from the other team that decided (he) needed to be played closely at various times so they were getting in his way and trying to block him and he was doing some good hip and shoulder shoving and pressing his torso against theirs to get them away. I was super proud of how far he has come.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-cook/erin-patterson-trial-live-homicide-squad-detective-takes-the-stand/live-coverage/c9d01ec22488a41785151bbc694b1fea#/entry/31886146

 

[Deleted member 363451]

Yes I know very much about that case, and disagree that she is innocent. She was not acquitted. But I don't want to muddy this thread with that off topic case...

Yes, I agree that they got it right the first time with KF.

 

[MrJ]

1m ago
A second phone number attached to Erin's name

By Mikaela Ortolan

Police located another phone number attached to Erin's name which ends in 783.

LSC Eppingstall says police obtained phone records dating back to 2019.

The phone number ending in 783 is used for that entire period.

Records show data usage, text messages and calls between Erin and various people.

 

[Deleted member 363451]

Details about Erin's 'possible visits' to area where death caps found​

The jury has previously heard from digital forensics expert Matthew Sorell, who analysed Erin’s phone records from January 1, 2022, to April 27, 2023, relating to the Loch area.
He told the court it was his opinion that the mobile phone made a “possible visit” to Loch on both April 28 and May 22, 2023, after death caps were logged in the area on citizen science website iNaturalist on April 18.

Earlier in the trial, Dr Sorell told the jury he detected eight “possible visits” by the mobile phone to the Loch area during this 18-month period.
The jury is now being shown the phone records relating to these “possible visits”, including on March 10 and March 17, 2022, as well as Signal messages between Erin and her estranged husband Simon from those same days.

March 10
Simon: Hey I think (our son) has bball tonight. Are you geared up for it?
Erin: Yeah although idk if I have bball shorts for him. I’ll check
Erin: Yeah we have shorts and his game is 7.40

March 17
Erin: Hey I really hope you can come see (our son) play bball this season even if you have to miss a Bible study. He’s playing really well, even with a dodgy hip. He played quite a … game tonight. He said he got a foul, and there were a couple of guys from the other team that decided (he) needed to be played closely at various times so they were getting in his way and trying to block him and he was doing some good hip and shoulder shoving and pressing his torso against theirs to get them away. I was super proud of how far he has come.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-cook/erin-patterson-trial-live-homicide-squad-detective-takes-the-stand/live-coverage/c9d01ec22488a41785151bbc694b1fea#/entry/31886146

Bible study? I thought Erin was an atheist?

 

[Detechtive]

Bible study? I thought Erin was an atheist?

She was referring to Simon missing bible study to see his son play basketball, I think...

Shocked Simon wasn't at his games, tbh. He was a basketball coach!

 

[Deleted member 363451]

She was referring to Simon missing bible study to see his son play basketball, I think...

Shocked Simon wasn't at his games, tbh. He was a basketball coach!

Oh, sorry I misread that post entirely.

 

[MrJ]

Just now

SIM card was moved to Nokia phone, court told

By Joseph Dunstan

The court is shown a highlighted phone record, which is timestamped to the afternoon police were searching Erin's house a week after the lunch.

LSC Eppingstall says the phone records show the SIM was moved.

"[At] 1:45pm on the 5th of August, 2023 ... we see the actual SIM card change from Phone A into a different phone," LSC Eppingstall tells the court.

"It's a Nokia mobile phone."

[Like a Nokia flip phone? Huh. Very interesting. IMO]

 

[Detechtive]

Just now

SIM card was moved to Nokia phone, court told

By Joseph Dunstan

The court is shown a highlighted phone record, which is timestamped to the afternoon police were searching Erin's house a week after the lunch.

LSC Eppingstall says the phone records show the SIM was moved.

"[At] 1:45pm on the 5th of August, 2023 ... we see the actual SIM card change from Phone A into a different phone," LSC Eppingstall tells the court.

"It's a Nokia mobile phone."

[Like a Nokia flip phone? Huh. Very interesting. IMO]

Nokia mobiles (the new versions) are the go-to for 'burner phones' - cheap and simple phones. You can get them for under $80. Nokia 3210 4G DS Y2K Unlocked Mobile Scuba Blue