Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #12 *Arrest*

[Lisa4]

Because I remember at some point wanting to find out if death cap mushrooms grow in Gippsland, and finding out that they do not.

IMO this is clearly another of her inferences, intended to subtly confirm her innocence. I mean how could she have intentionally foraged for and intentionally used deathcaps, she thought they grew nowhere local right?

But Death Cap mushrooms do indeed grow in Gippsland.

As any born and bred Victorian would know, I'm sure. Especially one with an interest in mushrooms.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

You mean they wouldn't give her a job in the prison kitchen???

She might be on MasterChef " Inside Edition"

 

[CuriousDetective]

Poor guy is probably trauma bonded

It could be to do with his Christian faith. Some Christian’s do not believe in divorce, even if they have been separated for many years

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC continued her cross-examination of accused murderer Erin Patterson on Friday.

Much like yesterday, the proceedings often involved Dr Rogers making suggestions to Erin regarding the prosecution's case, and Erin either confirming or denying the suggestions.

Today, Erin confirmed that:

• She made mention of medical issues when inviting Simon Patterson to lunch
• She did not inform medical professionals that foraged mushrooms might be in the meal she cooked, even after learning her relatives were ill
• It was unusual for her to host a lunch at her house, and that the Pattersons and Wilkinsons had not had a meal together in a long time
• She at one point wanted to find out if death cap mushrooms grew in Gippsland

But Erin denied suggestions that:

• She never told Simon Patterson about changing her children's school
• She was angry with Don and Gail Patterson due to a stoush over child support and school fees
• She sent inflammatory messages to a family group chat
• She had two different faces; one she presented publicly that loved the Patterson family, and another she showed privately that mocked them
• She told her Facebook friend Christine Hunt that Simon was coercive
• Her lunch invitation to Heather and Ian Wilkinson was a tactic to have Don, Gail and Simon to also attend the lunch
• She made an extra poisoned beef Wellington for Simon, which she threw away after he did not attend

Finally, evidence was raised that Erin could not remember, such as web search history from a computer found in her home, which showed visits to the iNaturalist site.

Cross-examination of accused triple-murderer Erin Patterson continues — as it happened

The prosecution will continue their cross-examination of Erin Patterson, who has been accused of killing three relatives by serving them a meal that contained death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial as it happened

www.abc.net.au

 

[Yh5r]

My original comment "I wonder at this point if she is regretting getting on the stand. A lot of this information would not have come to light if she hadn't testified..." wasn't specific to her being cross examined. If she hadn't got on the stand, whose to know what would have been said and by whom. I was just wondering, based so far on her testimony and her responses to questions, whether that be her own admission or through cross, if she is regretting it now (or maybe she still thinks it was a good decision).

Even if she is found not guilty, the whole world is privvy to things I am sure she never wanted public, plus the general perception the public may form of her based on how she has acted, regardless of guilt. eg Do you think anyone would want her to cook them a meal?

Of course it's a big price to pay in a way but taking the stand herself was the only chance she has/ had to be found not guilty.

I do agree that even if she is found to be not guilty, she would have a very hard time fitting back into society and will likely have to move far away to reestablish herself.

 

[Yh5r]

Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC continued her cross-examination of accused murderer Erin Patterson on Friday.

Much like yesterday, the proceedings often involved Dr Rogers making suggestions to Erin regarding the prosecution's case, and Erin either confirming or denying the suggestions.

Today, Erin confirmed that:

• She made mention of medical issues when inviting Simon Patterson to lunch
• She did not inform medical professionals that foraged mushrooms might be in the meal she cooked, even after learning her relatives were ill
• It was unusual for her to host a lunch at her house, and that the Pattersons and Wilkinsons had not had a meal together in a long time
• She at one point wanted to find out if death cap mushrooms grew in Gippsland

But Erin denied suggestions that:

• She never told Simon Patterson about changing her children's school
• She was angry with Don and Gail Patterson due to a stoush over child support and school fees
• She sent inflammatory messages to a family group chat
• She had two different faces; one she presented publicly that loved the Patterson family, and another she showed privately that mocked them
• She told her Facebook friend Christine Hunt that Simon was coercive
• Her lunch invitation to Heather and Ian Wilkinson was a tactic to have Don, Gail and Simon to also attend the lunch
• She made an extra poisoned beef Wellington for Simon, which she threw away after he did not attend

Finally, evidence was raised that Erin could not remember, such as web search history from a computer found in her home, which showed visits to the iNaturalist site.

Cross-examination of accused triple-murderer Erin Patterson continues — as it happened

The prosecution will continue their cross-examination of Erin Patterson, who has been accused of killing three relatives by serving them a meal that contained death cap mushrooms. Follow the trial as it happened

www.abc.net.au

Have the alleged inflammatory messages that Erin is said to have sent in the group chat been made public?

 

[CuriousDetective]

IMO this is clearly another of her inferences, intended to subtly confirm her innocence. I mean how could she have intentionally foraged for and intentionally used deathcaps, she thought they grew nowhere local right?



As any born and bred Victorian would know, I'm sure. Especially one with an interest in mushrooms.

I am a born and bread Victorian (Gippslander originally actually) and had never heard of death caps prior to this case. I knew there were deadly mushrooms, but has no idea what they were called or where they grew. I am no forager though.

 

[Deleted member 363451]

I am a born and bread Victorian (Gippslander originally actually) and had never heard of death caps prior to this case. I knew there were deadly mushrooms, but has no idea what they were called or where they grew. I am no forager though.

Well Erin had certainly heard of Death Caps and whats more she had done a search for them on the iNaturalist website. She has confirmed herself that she had a good knowledge of mushrooms and was able to identify some by name.

 

[Lisa4]

I am a born and bread Victorian (Gippslander originally actually) and had never heard of death caps prior to this case. I knew there were deadly mushrooms, but has no idea what they were called or where they grew. I am no forager though.

MOO
That's probably the case for most people, but she foraged and had an interest in mushrooms. So to expect anyone to believe that she really thought they do not grow in Gippsland...?! Let me treat you to what sprang to mind -

"Alice laughed.
“There is no use trying,” said Alice; “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day.

Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

 

[CuriousDetective]

MOO
That's probably the case for most people, but she foraged and had an interest in mushrooms. So to expect anyone to believe that she really thought they do not grow in Gippsland...?! Let me treat you to what sprang to mind -

"Alice laughed.
“There is no use trying,” said Alice; “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day.

Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

I’m not disagreeing. The OP made reference that anyone born and bred in Victoria would know about death caps . I was simply refuting this point. Obviously Erin’s searches indicate she was very aware.

 

[katydid23]

1m ago03.17 BST

Patterson didn't share realisation foraged mushrooms may have been in meal​

Rogers takes Patterson to a discussion she and Simon had on 1 August 2023 while at Monash hospital. Patterson said Simon asked her if she had used a dehydrator to poison his parents.

Patterson told the court earlier this week this conversation caused her to reflect on “what might have happened”.

Patterson agrees on this date she realised foraged mushrooms may have been in a Tupperware container storing store-bought mushrooms and used in the beef wellingtons.

Rogers says she never told a medical professional or anyone else that foraged mushrooms may have been used in the meal. Patterson agrees.

Rogers says Patterson’s realisation on 1 August 2023 was days before anyone had died.

Patterson agrees she did not tell anyone about her realisation after this date.

Rogers says after her realisation, Patterson disposed of the dehydrator. Patterson agrees.

THIS^^^^ was very damaging to the defense, imo.

She admits that by Aug 1st, she realised she may have used foraged mushrooms from the Tupperware in the meal she served.

And yet she continued to lie and deny when asked by doctors and public health investigators when she could have helped her 'loved ones'.

 

[Lisa4]

I’m not disagreeing. The OP made reference that anyone born and bred in Victoria would know about death caps . I was simply refuting this point. Obviously Erin’s searches indicate she was very aware.

Ah yes, now I see. I was the OP.

I didnt put that clearly at all.

What I was thinking, and perhaps I am wrong, but I was assuming that any born and bred Victorian would have at least a vague idea that deadly mushrooms do grow in Victoria/Australia. And would not be throwing whatever they picked gungho into a dehydrator for their kids.

 

[Kemug]

I assume if EP miraculously walks free that she will be making her Defence Team a celebratory dinner served up on unmatched plates consisting of a starter of Garlic Mushrooms followed by Mushroom Risotto and finally a choice of Chocolate Brownies or Orange Cake to gorge on and throw up?

I'll just bring a sandwich, thanks.

 

[katydid23]

Yep:

Sorry, I feel too uncomfortable about coming to the lunch with you, mum, dad, Heather and Ian tomorrow, but am happy to talk about your health and implications of that at another time if you’d like to discuss on the phone,” he wrote to Erin at 6.54pm, according to a text shown to the court.

“Just let me know.”

Patterson then replied at 6:59pm: “That’s really disappointing. I’ve spent many hours this week preparing lunch or tomorrow which has been exhausting in light of the issues I’m facing and spent a small fortune on beef eye fillet to make beef wellingtons because I wanted it to be a special meal as I may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time.

“It’s important to me that you’re all there tomorrow and that I have the conversations that I need to have.

“I hope you’ll change your mind. Your parents and Heather and Ian are coming at 12:30. I hope to see you there.”

Simon said he did not respond. He had already told his parents he would not be attending.

Text messages in lead-up to deadly mushroom lunch revealed as Erin Patterson’s estranged husband testifies

Murder accused urged Simon Patterson to change his mind about not attending ‘special meal’, Victorian court hears

www.theguardian.com

SO MANY things in both of the above posts strongly indicate that she did tell someone about the lunch being about her health concerns.

Simon brings up 'her health' and she does not reply by saying ' What? "

She doubles down and says how 'exhausting' it's been because of 'the issues she's facing' and says she may not be able to host another for quite some time.

And she ends by saying he needs to come to lunch so she can 'have the conversations I need to have'...



After all of the above that the jury has seen in their messages EP then tries to deny that she ever said the lunch was supposed to be about her announcing her health concerns. And says that both Simon and Ian were not being accurate or truthful.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

Erin Patterson’s trial in pictures: day 28​

Court has adjourned for today, and will resume on Tuesday due to the public holiday on Monday.

Here are some photographs taken today outside the court in Morwell by our award-winning photographer Jason South.

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, arrives at court in Morwell on Friday morning.Credit:Jason South

Erin Patterson’s defence barrister Colin Mandy, SC, arriving at court.Credit:Jason South

The sole survivor of the beef Wellington lunch, pastor Ian Wilkinson, outside court. Credit:Jason South

Ian Wilkinson leaving court on Friday afternoon. Credit:Jason South

Erin Patterson’s legal team on Friday. Credit:Jason South

Erin Patterson murder trial day 28 as it happened: Prosecutor suggests accused mushroom cook didn’t love her in-laws, questions her about lunch invitation to estranged husband

Accused triple-murderer Erin Patterson has returned to the witness box on day 28 of her murder trial in the regional town of Morwell. Follow our rolling coverage.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Old Soul]

why throw it in the bin, when she happily served (other?!) leftovers to the kids....

This is crucial question, I’m sure she will have some slippery lie to explain it, “oh I accidentally dropped that one on the floor as I was taking it out of the oven” or something. IMO

 

[Old Soul]

She's big on semantics, since they are still married (not divorced) he technically isn't EX.

I have noticed people quibble about semantics when their argument isn’t strong, it’s like they are trying to stall, deflect, distract or take the argument in a different direction to avoid addressing the contested issue.

 

[CuriousDetective]

Ah yes, now I see. I was the OP.

I didnt put that clearly at all.

What I was thinking, and perhaps I am wrong, but I was assuming that any born and bred Victorian would have at least a vague idea that deadly mushrooms do grow in Victoria/Australia. And would not be throwing whatever they picked gungho into a dehydrator for their kids.

Yeah, I think this is more accurate. I think most people who have grown up in Victoria would have an idea at least of toxic mushrooms growing…just not necessarily death caps. At least in Gippsland which is quite wet and cool…more conducive to mushroom growth.

 

[MsMarple]

Erin Patterson’s trial in pictures: day 28​

Court has adjourned for today, and will resume on Tuesday due to the public holiday on Monday.

Here are some photographs taken today outside the court in Morwell by our award-winning photographer Jason South.

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, arrives at court in Morwell on Friday morning.Credit:Jason South

Erin Patterson’s defence barrister Colin Mandy, SC, arriving at court.Credit:Jason South

The sole survivor of the beef Wellington lunch, pastor Ian Wilkinson, outside court. Credit:Jason South

Ian Wilkinson leaving court on Friday afternoon. Credit:Jason South

Erin Patterson’s legal team on Friday. Credit:Jason South

Erin Patterson murder trial day 28 as it happened: Prosecutor suggests accused mushroom cook didn’t love her in-laws, questions her about lunch invitation to estranged husband

Accused triple-murderer Erin Patterson has returned to the witness box on day 28 of her murder trial in the regional town of Morwell. Follow our rolling coverage.

www.theage.com.au

What kind of vest is Ian wearing? Or is he carrying a backpack?

 

[Yh5r]

What kind of vest is Ian wearing? Or is he carrying a backpack?

He wears a fleece vest with a hiking backpack and the chest strapped of the backpack strapped across his chest.