Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #14 *Arrest*

[MrJ]

wasn't that Don?

and i wonder if the media generally shares closing statements

 

[jesse]

Who ate 1.5 servings?

Don ate half of Gail's, I think.

 

[CityKid]

That was prior to children. All of her jobs were short lived.

Good morning! Dectechtive, I'm curious about her job history re: her personality. I assume to be an air traffic controller, you need more than your CV and a two-hour class, and it seems an odd job to do all the training for, then leaving after a short tenure. Did EP typically get gung-ho on something, then quickly lose interest? I understand if X job pays $50/hour and another X job pays $60, that job-hopping makes sense. But I'm finding it hard to understand the through line from a job like air traffic controller to local magazine editing, to thoughts of going into nursing. Especially since she'd also go on frequent cross-country camping trips with Simon in between. In your opinion, was this just the actions of someone with familial wealth who could afford to behave like this, or was she the type of person who jumped ship as soon as someone/something became unpleasant/disagreeable? I've seen this from people who have trouble getting along with other people's systems of doing things in a workplace and I'm wondering if EP was the same way.

 

[Detechtive]

I think she was still hoping he'd show up, probably out of the guilt she tried to lay on him in the texts. But yes, I think she'd have taken any chance to feed him that BW.

Totally agree with you, and I think this is why she probably preserved it, too. Probably in the freezer for next time. This would explain why the rubbish bag had a lot of water in it. IMO

Also, in regards to the leftovers in the bin, where they found mushrooms and pastry, that was a purposeful decoy, I think. That was to explain that she fed her children leftovers of the meat with the contaminated death cap duxelle, where we know she made them fresh steaks, IMO.

 

[MrJ]

Maybe we won't be getting a live blog today.

 

[brisbanemum]

She wouldn’t have had the opportunity to research Enrich clinic because she likely came up with this lie only recently and after she was already locked up. Inmates do not get internet access where they are free to roam the web and google things as they wish. Also, a lawyer is not allowed to collude with their client, so I highly doubt she would have asked Colin Mandy to search this for her, and I don’t think he would have risked his license to help EP.

Yes. In my opinion the gastric banding surgery lie was made up on the fly when she was being cross examined. The appointment at the enrich clinic was made and cancelled well before then. She was just hoping nobody would properly investigate the appointment and discover it was unrelated to gastric banding surgery. All MOO.

 

[Detechtive]

Good morning! Dectechtive, I'm curious about her job history re: her personality. I assume to be an air traffic controller, you need more than your CV and a two-hour class, and it seems an odd job to do all the training for, then leaving after a short tenure. Did EP typically get gung-ho on something, then quickly lose interest? I understand if X job pays $50/hour and another X job pays $60, that job-hopping makes sense. But I'm finding it hard to understand the through line from a job like air traffic controller to local magazine editing, to thoughts of going into nursing. Especially since she'd also go on frequent cross-country camping trips with Simon in between. In your opinion, was this just the actions of someone with familial wealth who could afford to behave like this, or was she the type of person who jumped ship as soon as someone/something became unpleasant/disagreeable? I've seen this from people who have trouble getting along with other people's systems of doing things in a workplace and I'm wondering if EP was the same way.

I was the only person who she spoke to about her past work life, she was quite secretive about it generally. It wasn't until recently that I found out the reasons for the multiple career jumps, and it wasn't by her choosing.

I don't believe the nursing claim because she would not have been able to become registered IMO. Similarly for any continued work in the financial services industry. IMO

To become a registered nurse or midwife in Australia, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), in conjunction with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), requires all applicants to undergo a criminal history check. This process ensures that only individuals who are suitable and safe to practise are granted registration.

In my personal opinion she was just bored being a stay at home mother, and wanted to do courses without actually needing to ever work due to her wealth. I don't think she ever planned on working. IMO

 

[MrJ]

Here is the closing arguments live blog!

Live: Prosecution details four alleged deceptions at heart of Erin Patterson case

Prosecutors have begun their closing address to the jury as Erin Patterson's Supreme Court trial enters its eighth week. Follow today's hearing live.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Ellery84]

Who ate 1.5 servings?

Don

 

[MrJ]

Key Event
Just now
Prosecution begins outlining its closing argument

By Joseph Dunstan

Nanette Rogers SC will begin proceedings today by outlining the closing argument of the prosecution.

Dr Rogers launches into her summing up by telling the jury that Erin Patterson "alone" chose what to cook for the meal she had invited her guests to on July 29, 2023.

She says that control she had over the meal was "exercised with devastating effect".

"It allowed her to give the appearance of sharing in the same meal while ensuring she did not consume ... [a beef Wellington] laced with death cap mushrooms," she says.

She asks the jury "what other reasonable possibility" could explain the deadly outcome of the meal.

Dr Rogers is moving at a fairly rapid pace with her address.

 

[Detechtive]

Good morning! Dectechtive, I'm curious about her job history re: her personality. I assume to be an air traffic controller, you need more than your CV and a two-hour class, and it seems an odd job to do all the training for, then leaving after a short tenure. Did EP typically get gung-ho on something, then quickly lose interest? I understand if X job pays $50/hour and another X job pays $60, that job-hopping makes sense. But I'm finding it hard to understand the through line from a job like air traffic controller to local magazine editing, to thoughts of going into nursing. Especially since she'd also go on frequent cross-country camping trips with Simon in between. In your opinion, was this just the actions of someone with familial wealth who could afford to behave like this, or was she the type of person who jumped ship as soon as someone/something became unpleasant/disagreeable? I've seen this from people who have trouble getting along with other people's systems of doing things in a workplace and I'm wondering if EP was the same way.

Also, Don and Gail didn't ask her to edit the Burra Flyer. They put out a call on facebook and in the actual flyer for a volunteer editor. She responded to it.

 

[lazymaiden07]

"It allowed her to give the appearance of sharing in the same meal while ensuring she did not consume ... [a beef Wellington] laced with death cap mushrooms," she says.

She asks the jury "what other reasonable possibility" could explain the deadly outcome of the meal.

This!!! Plainly and simply put, yet so convincing.

 

[MrJ]

Key Event
2m ago
The four alleged deceptions at the heart of the prosecution case

By Joseph Dunstan

Dr Rogers tells the jury there were four deceptions employed by Erin Patterson during her crime.

1.The fabricated cancer claim that Ms Patterson told her guests when she invited them to the meal
2.The lethal doses of poison that Dr Rogers says she "secreted in the home-cooked beef Wellingtons"
3.The illness that Ms Patterson pretended to have after the lunch to make it seem as though she also suffered from death cap poisoning
4.The sustained cover-up Ms Patterson embarked on to "conceal the truth" after the lunch

 

[MrJ]

1m ago
Accused protected her children before serving 'poison' to guests, prosecutor alleges

By Joseph Dunstan

Dr Rogers then launches into unpacking the first of these alleged deceptions to the jury, the fabricated cancer claim.

She told the jury that Ms Patterson said she wanted to thank her relatives and show them her garden, and these were reasons for organising the lunch.

"You can reject that evidence, it is clear from the evidence that the accused used a fake medical issue as the reason for the lunch," Dr Rogers says.

The prosecutor then outlines how Ms Patterson sent messages to her estranged husband Simon in a bid to try and convince him to change his mind.

She also outlines the evidence from Ms Patterson's children that their mother had told them it was an adults-only lunch.

"It was entirely the accused's plan that the children would not be present at the lunch and you can reject her claim otherwise," Dr Rogers says.

"She made sure the children were away … by the time the lunch guests were arriving. This ensured there was no chance [the children were there during the lunch]."

Dr Rogers tells the jury this was a deliberate step to ensure "the children would not be harmed by the poison she was about to serve".

 

[Detechtive]

Foggy start to week eight​

ByMarta Pascual Juanola
Senior Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, was among the first to arrive at the Latrobe Valley law courts this morning alongside Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall, who is the lead investigator in the case.

It was another foggy start to the week in the valley, as temperatures in Morwell dipped below zero just before 8am today. The temperature had risen to 3 degrees by 9am, with a top of 14 degrees forecast for the day.

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC (left), and Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall arrive at court on Monday.Credit:Jason South

People brave the cold as they wait to enter court on Monday morning.

Erin Patterson murder trial: Accused ‘lied’ to multiple people, and repeatedly changed her story on sourcing mushrooms, prosecutor tells jury

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers, SC, is arguing to the jury that accused killer Erin Patterson faked a cancer diagnosis to her lunch guests and deliberately deviated from a beef Wellington recipe.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Detechtive]

Four 'calculated deceptions' at heart of the case: Crown​

The jury has entered the courtroom after a three-day weekend.
Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC has risen to her feet to make the closing address on behalf of the prosecution.
Dr Rogers started by telling the jury the lunch on July 29, 2023, was arranged by the accused and “she alone” chose what to cook, obtained the ingredients and prepared the meal.
She said she had “complete control” over the lunch, describing it as having “devastating effect”.
Dr Rogers said this control allowed her to give the appearance she was sharing the same beef wellingtons as the lunch guests after lacing their serves with death cap mushrooms.
“What other reasonable possibility can explain why all the lunch guests became so gravely will with death cap mushroom poisoning, but the accused did not?” she asked.
She said at the heart of this case was four “calculated deceptions”.

The fabricated cancer claim she used as a reason for the lunch
The lethal doses of poison she “secreted” in the beef wellingtons
Her attempts to make it seem like she also suffered death cap mushroom poisoning
The “sustained cover-up” she embarked on.
“Each of those deceptions has been exposed,” Dr Rogers said, adding that the jury can reject any possibility this was all a “terrible accident”.
“You can be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt she committed each of the crimes.”

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-cook/erin-patterson-trial-live-closing-addresses-expected-in-mushroom-murder-trial/live-coverage/299fa80376bd369a989157187008c323/#/entry/32241944#liveblog-entry-32241944

 

[MrJ]

Key Event
1m ago
Accused 'planted the seed' of cancer lie well in advance of lunch, prosecution says

By Joseph Dunstan

Dr Rogers then summarises the evidence given by surviving lunch guest Ian Wilkinson and the account from Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson about the cancer lie.

They both recalled either hearing directly or in Simon's case, being told by his parents, that Erin had told them she'd been diagnosed with cancer.

"The accused planted the seed of this lie far in advance. She told Don and Gail well before the lunch that she had been having tests on her elbow," Dr Rogers says.

The prosecutor then takes the jury to the messages exchanged between Gail and Erin, where Erin's mother-in-law checked in on how she'd gone with medical investigations into an issue that did not exist.

"We know that this was all a fabrication. There was no needle biopsy, there was no lump and there was no MRI," Dr Rogers says.

 

[Detechtive]

Prosecution begins closing address​

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC is delivering her closing address to the jury.

She says Patterson opted to prepare individual serves of beef wellingtons for the lunch on 29 July 2023, which gave her “control” over the meal which she “exercised with devastating effect”.

“It allowed her to give the appearance of sharing the same meal,” Rogers says.

She asks the jurors to consider what “other reasonable possibility” could explain the four lunch guests falling ill.

Rogers says the evidence surrounding the lunch invitation should satisfy the jurors that Patterson fabricated her cancer claim to create a reason for her otherwise “unusual” meal.

She says Patterson gave her estranged husband, Simon, multiple reasons to attend the lunch:

“She painted a picture of a gathering which was not just social but contained important family business,” she says.

Erin Patterson mushroom trial day 32 – as it happened

This blog is now closed

www.theguardian.com

 

[MrJ]

Key Event
1m ago
Erin intended for her guests to die to hide her lies, prosecution says

By Joseph Dunstan

The prosecutor tells the jury Erin Patterson was "setting up a fiction" that she was facing a cancer diagnosis, which was made more convincing by her doing personal research.

“She knew about how to tell convincing lies when it came to cancer because she’d done her research," Dr Rogers says.

Dr Rogers says the prosecution put "considerable thought" into the lie, but evidence from the cancer registry in Victoria and other medical records had comprehensively proved that it was a lie.

"Why on earth would she tell such a lie?" Dr Rogers rhetorically asks the jury.

"She did not think her lunch guests would live to reveal it. Her lie would die with them."

 

[Detechtive]

The fabricated cancer claim​

Dr Rogers said the evidence surrounding the lunch should satisfy the jury that Erin had fabricated the cancer claim to “provide a reason for her otherwise unusual lunch invitation” to the group.
“You heard it was very rare for the accused to invite people to her home,” Dr Rogers said.
Witnesses, including Simon Patterson, Anna Terrington and Ruth Dubois, all gave evidence that Ian and Heather had been “surprised” to be invited.

Simon also gave evidence that Erin had told him she had “important medical news” to share and wanted advice on how to break it to the kids.
“She gave him multiple incentives to attend – she painted a picture of a gathering which was not only social but was about important family business,” Dr Rogers said.
“Simon was firm in his evidence to you that the accused wanted advice about breaking news to the children.

“You can be sure the accused used a fake medical issue as the reason for the lunch.”

Dr Rogers repeated the text messages between Erin and Simon, shown to the jury, where he declined the lunch invite the night before.
Erin wrote: “I may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time” and “it’s important to me that you’re all there tomorrow and I can have the conversations I need to have.”
Dr Rogers took the jury to the evidence of Ian Wilkinson, who said Erin had told the guests that she had been diagnosed with cancer, and that they had prayed for her.

“You should completely reject the accused’s claim that she never said she had a diagnosis and only that she (was concerned she might).

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/the-mushroom-cook/erin-patterson-trial-live-closing-addresses-expected-in-mushroom-murder-trial/live-coverage/299fa80376bd369a989157187008c323#/entry/32242136