Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #15 *Arrest*

[Kemug]

I distinctly remember reading that Justice Beale said that, because it didn't make sense at all. If she'd done prior mushroom foraging, it's unlikely that she would accidentally pick Death Caps. If she'd NEVER foraged before, it's possible that she might. (although you wouldn't probably be so stupid as to put them in a meal without checking if they were safe first).

Didn't she testify that it was after she tasted the duxelle and decided it was too bland, that she added the extra mushrooms? And tasted it again - despite having previously said that she hadn't. Help! My memory is definitely getting worse!

 

[Scuffy35]

Didn't she testify that it was after she tasted the duxelle and decided it was too bland, that she added the extra mushrooms? And tasted it again - despite having previously said that she hadn't. Help! My memory is definitely getting worse!

I don't think she said she tasted it again. I remember it was Mr Mandy that said something to the effect that it should be assumed that she tasted it again. (which is useless evidence in my opinion).

 

[Tortoise]

Was the interview outside her house with the media shown in the trial?

 

[JBowie]

Was the interview outside her house with the media shown in the trial?

I doubt it. I didn't hear about that. I think it would have been pumped up by the media if it was shown.

 

[JBowie]

RSBM
OK, let's make it easier. Let's make a list of every time Erin has told the truth.

Q: Is your name Erin Patterson?
A: Yes.

 

[MaxDecimus13]

Re the BBM above, I’m pretty sure we do know that no actual pieces of anything other than the Woolworths purchased mushrooms were visible Because the botanic gardens mycologist testified that she examined the leftover under her microscope, both at home and again at work, and only saw ‘field mushrooms’ which is the term for the standard button, flat etc mushrooms sold in our supermarkets ( Woolworths)

It was the forensic toxicologists who located the DC toxins via a relatively new Test - and I suggest you’re correct in that it came from the addition of powered DC.

I suggest the ‘Asian store mushrooms’ story was all a furphy…. but irrespective imo she dried her foraged mushrooms, which would indicate a need to store them somewhere. Whether she added them to a container containing other dried mushrooms from where ever would be anyone’s guess.
It’s my belief that at some stage she powdered dried mushrooms, whether from a mixed container or straight from the latest batch she dried, again would be anyone’s guess.

She ( and her defence) suggests she forgot that there were other dried mushrooms in there… seriously ! She has a memory like an elephant ! ( when it suits her it seems)

To provide some value to her decision to take the stand, it would have made sense for her to clear up these points of ( incriminating) confusion !

MOO

This was my reading, but I'm sure the defence mentioned that they did find another type of mushroom? I only remember because I was shocked by it.

 

[Scuffy35]

Q: Is your name Erin Patterson?
A: Yes.

That was the only one I can think of as well.

 

[MaxDecimus13]

I wouldn't worry too much about the judge, he's just pointing out what is obvious and what is legal like how dislike of EP cannot be a factor in assessing her guilt and how high the bar for guilt needs to be. EP should be tried on the facts, not on beliefs like 'innocent people never lie' and she didn't act like she was supposed to etc

As for his comment about foraging, he specifically mentioned about foraging and putting them into meals and how if this is is something that EP has done before it makes it more likely that she has done this time but accidentally. From what I gathered, it was while he was outlining a principle about how people act and if it is something they usually do then it is more believable.

The obvious thing to point out as well is that EP clearly hasn't made a convincing case that she does this. It is literally her say so, and that is extremely unreliable.

 

[Scuffy35]

It was the forensic toxicologists who located the DC toxins via a relatively new Test - and I suggest you’re correct in that it came from the addition of powered DC.

I don't think this is related to the testing of the leftovers. After the testing of the leftovers by microscope, there were two further testing procedures.

One I believe was DNA analysis which also failed to find the DC toxin. Possibly this failed as they were also only looking at the specific pieces of mushroom, not any powdered substance (from the blitzing).

The third testing was by some kind of chemical analysis / testing, which did find the DC toxin. I am guessing that this testing involved the whole of the leftovers and not just performed on individual mushroom pieces. IMO

 

[Knitty]

This thread is closed. Please continue at Thread #16.