VERDICT WATCH Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #16 *Arrest*

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  • #161
  • #162
10:43

Jury told when they will be sequestered​

Justice Christopher Beale has told the jury he will finish his charge on Monday afternoon and then two jury members will be balloted out.
The remaining 12 jurors will then be sequestered to decide if Patterson is guilty or not.

 
  • #163
Key Event
2m ago

Jury has entered the room and we're updated on timeline​


By Mikaela Ortolan​

As the jury enters today, Justice Beale provides a quick update in terms of timeline.

He tells the jury he will continue his charge today and tomorrow morning.

"You'll be able to go home for the weekend and then I'll continue completing my charge [Monday]," he says.

He is expecting to finish delivering his directions on Monday at which point the jury will be sent out to deliberate.

"As you know whilst you're engaged with your deliberations, at the end of each day you'll be sequested," he tells the jury.

This means they'll be taken to accommodation each night rather than going home until a verdict is reached.

Key Event
2m ago

An update on the trial timeline​


By Mikaela Ortolan​

As the jury enters today, Justice Beale provides a quick update in terms of timeline.

He tells the jury he will continue his charge today and tomorrow morning.

"You'll be able to go home for the weekend and then I'll continue completing my charge [Monday]," he says.

He is expecting to finish delivering his directions on Monday at which point the jury will be sent out to deliberate.

"As you know whilst you're engaged with your deliberations, at the end of each day you'll be sequested," he tells the jury.

This means they'll be taken to accommodation each night rather than going home until a verdict is reached.

 
  • #164
Isn't the son 16 now? Not exactly a young child. Although of course 16 year olds can often cause a lot more worry than their younger siblings!
Especially a 16 yr old that was very close to mum, had tension with Dad, and at 14 mum was arrested, his grandparents deceased, and Dad is now his only parent.
 
  • #165

Judge resumes charge to jury​

Justice Christopher Beale has resumed his charge to the jury.

Instructions about alleged incriminating conduct resume​

Justice Beale is taking the jury through the prosecution’s next alleged instance of incriminating conduct by Patterson.

Yesterday, Justice Beale said the prosection’s allegations of incriminating conduct include:

  • Patterson (allegedly) lying about being unwell and faking being poisoned
  • Patterson allegedly lying that she used dried Asian mushrooms in the beef wellington
  • Patterson refusing treatment on her first presentation at Leongatha Hospital and leaving against medical advice
  • That Patterson was reluctant to receive treatment for herself on her second visit to Leongatha Hospital
  • That Patterson was reluctant to receive treatment for her children on 31 July 2023
  • That Patterson allegedly lied that she fed her children the leftover beef wellington with the mushroom and pastry scrapped off
  • That Patterson reset phone B multiple times commencing on 2 August 2023
  • That Patterson, on 2 August 2023, disposed of the dehydrator at the tip
  • That Patterson, on 5 August 2023, during the search of her home, gave police phone B instead of phone A, her usual phone
  • That Patterson, on 5 August 2023, during the record of interview, lied that her normal number ended in 835, rather than her usual number ending in 783
  • That Patterson lied that she had not dehydrated mushrooms
  • That Patterson lied to police that she had never foraged
  • That Patterson lied to police about the dehydrator, saying she may have had a dehydrator years ago.
 
  • #166
10:52

Jury told about the Asian shop mushroom claim​

Justice Beale has resumed his final directions to the jury and has continued going through the topic of Patterson's (pictured) 'alleged incriminating conduct'.
Patterson listened as Justice Beale spoke to the jury about the accused killer’s claim she bought dried mushrooms from an Asian grocery in Melbourne's southeast.
The jury heard Leongatha Hospital's Dr Veronica Foote gave evidence that Patterson told her she bought mushrooms from Woolworths and other mushrooms from an Asian grocer in April.
Doctors then contacted specialist Dr Conor McDermott and told them about the mushrooms and he feared there may be a public health emergency brewing.
The jury heard Dr McDermott asked to speak with Patterson.
Dr McDermott gave evidence Patterson told him she bought the mushrooms from an Asian store in Oakleigh but couldn't remember the name.
Dr McDermott said he offered to read out the names of Asian stores in Oakleigh but claimed Patterson told him she wouldn't remember and the shop may have actually been in Glen Waverley.

 
  • #167
6m ago10.49 AEST

Judge to finish charge on Monday, jury told​

The jury has entered the court room in Morwell.

Beale is continuing to deliver his instructions to the jury, known as the judge’s charge.

He tells jurors he will finish his charge on Monday before lunchtime.

“You’ll be able to go home for the weekend,” he says.

After the charge is delivered a ballot will be held to determine which 12 jurors will deliberate the verdicts, Beale says.

“And away you go, so to speak,” he says.

Beale reminds the jury they’ll be sequestered after each day of deliberations.

 
  • #168

Alleged incriminating conduct- the Asian grocer​

Justice Beale has taken the jury back to witness evidence pertaining to Patterson’s alleged lying about the source of the mushrooms used in the beef wellington.

He recapped testimony from various medical professionals who told the court Patterson said she purchased some of the mushrooms used in the dish from an Asian grocer in Melbourne.

He also noted Matthew Patterson gave evidence that he rang Patterson to ask her where she bought the mushrooms, and she told him Woolworths and an Asian shop in the Oakleigh area.

 
  • #169
10:56

Brother-in-law asked Patterson where the mushrooms came from​

Justice Beale said Don Patterson told toxicologists he had no idea where the mushrooms had been sourced for the beef Wellington.
This prompted Don's son Matthew Patterson to call the accused, and he asked her the question again.
Matthew Patterson gave evidence Patterson said she bought fresh mushrooms from 'Woolies' and dried mushrooms from a Chinese shop or grocery in Oakleigh.
Matthew Patterson said he passed on that information to toxicologists.

 
  • #170
Key Event
Just now

We return to allegations of incriminating conduct​


By Mikaela Ortolan​

As mentioned, Justice Beale's directions yesterday touched on the first of a series of alleged actions that the prosecution argues represent "incriminating conduct" on Erin Patterson's part.

The judge begins today's proceedings by focusing on a second issue: alleged lies in relation to the use of dried mushrooms bought from an Asian grocer in the beef Wellington dish.

Justice Beale revisits testimony from various witnesses, some of whom recalled Ms Patterson saying she purchased mushrooms from a supermarket in Leongatha and an Asian grocer possibly, in the Oakleigh area.

The accused later said it was possible the Asian grocer was in Glen Waverley, but she couldn't remember the exact store.

Another witness gave evidence that Ms Patterson said she purchased fresh mushrooms for the dish from a Woolworths in Leongatha and dried mushrooms from either Oakleigh or Glen Waverley.

Other witnesses mentioned Clayton and Mount Waverley as locations where the dried mushrooms may have been purchased.

An investigation was carried out across a number of these areas given the possible public health risk if store-bought mushrooms were responsible for the poisonings.

 
  • #171
11:05

Council officer commences hunt for dried mushrooms​

Justice Beale told the jury the health department feared a public health issue based on Patterson's claims about purchasing dried mushrooms from an Asian grocer.
The jury was reminded about the Monash Council's investigation into Asian grocers across the municipality.
The health department liaised with Monash health officer Troy Schonknecht who searched a council database of all stores in Oakleigh and Mount Waverley which fit the description.
Mr Schonknecht said he was told not to worry about checking stores in Glen Waverley.
The jury has heard Mr Schonknecht gleaned information about the type of packaging Patterson claimed the dried mushrooms came in.
Justice Beale said Patterson claimed the mushrooms had been sliced, not whole, and only one shop was found that repackaged mushrooms in a fashion that somewhat matched Patterson's description.

 
  • #172
1m ago11.10 AEST
Beale turns to Patterson’s second alleged incriminating conduct - lying about where the dried mushrooms used in the beef wellingtons.

The prosecution has labelled certain conduct as incriminating, meaning it is an implied admission of guilt, the court has heard. The defence has argued there are other innocent explanations for the conduct the prosecution relies on

Beale outlines the evidence the jury has heard in the case regarding the source of the mushrooms in the beef wellingtons Patterson cooked.

Dr Connor McDermott, a toxicology registrar at Austin hospital, said Patterson told him she sourced button mushrooms, pre-sliced from Leongatha Safeway and mushrooms from a Chinese food store in Oakleigh. McDermott said Patterson said she did not have the packaging for the dried mushrooms.

Matthew, the son of Don and Gail, said he phoned Patterson on 31 July 2023 and she said she bought fresh mushrooms from Woolworths and dried mushrooms from a Chineses shop in the Oakleigh area.

Dr Laura Muldoon, from Monash hospital, said she spoke to Patterson on the same day. She recalled Patterson saying she used dehydrated mushrooms from a Chinese grocery store in Oakleigh or Glen Waverley and did not have any of the packaging.

 
  • #173
Key Event
Just now

We return to allegations of incriminating conduct​

By Mikaela Ortolan​

As mentioned, Justice Beale's directions yesterday touched on the first of a series of alleged actions that the prosecution argues represent "incriminating conduct" on Erin Patterson's part.

The judge begins today's proceedings by focusing on a second issue: alleged lies in relation to the use of dried mushrooms bought from an Asian grocer in the beef Wellington dish.

Justice Beale revisits testimony from various witnesses, some of whom recalled Ms Patterson saying she purchased mushrooms from a supermarket in Leongatha and an Asian grocer possibly, in the Oakleigh area.

The accused later said it was possible the Asian grocer was in Glen Waverley, but she couldn't remember the exact store.

Another witness gave evidence that Ms Patterson said she purchased fresh mushrooms for the dish from a Woolworths in Leongatha and dried mushrooms from either Oakleigh or Glen Waverley.

Other witnesses mentioned Clayton and Mount Waverley as locations where the dried mushrooms may have been purchased.

An investigation was carried out across a number of these areas given the possible public health risk if store-bought mushrooms were responsible for the poisonings.

Maybe Judge Beale could have added that it was found that Erin Patterson LIED about buying the Death Caps from an Asian Grocery Store? 🤔 😐
 
  • #174
Key Event
6m ago

More on the dried mushrooms​


By Mikaela Ortolan​

Justice Beale continues detailing evidence we heard during the trial about the dried mushrooms. A reminder that no new evidence is being put forward at this point, just summaries.

We are reminded that Erin Patterson told some witnesses the dried mushrooms she says she bought from an Asian grocer were packaged in a small, see-through bag, and the label did not have much writing on it.

One witness said Ms Patterson told her the mushrooms were originally bought for a pasta dish, but when she opened them she thought they smelled funny so didn't use all of them.

She said she rehydrated the dried mushrooms, chopped them up then added them to the supermarket mushrooms for the beef Wellington dish months later.

Sally Ann Atkinson from the health department gave evidence that Ms Patterson later told her the dried mushrooms had not been used in any other meal.

 
  • #175
Maybe Judge Beale could have added that it was found that Erin Patterson LIED about buying the Death Caps from an Asian Grocery Store? 🤔 😐
Why would you dehydrate already dehydrated mushrooms bought from anyone? And how convenient that the packaging is non-existent. And why use mushrooms that smell funny in any dish rather than throw them out??? Why store them? That won't make the smell go away.
 
  • #176
11:20

Authorities' efforts to track down Asian grocer​

Justice Beale has moved on to more evidence from doctors about the Asian shop story.
The jury heard health department officer Sally Ann Atkinson (pictured) became involved in the investigation after information was relayed to the department from medical staff.
Patterson claimed she wasn't sure where the Asian shop was and described the type of packaging the mushrooms came in to Ms Atkinson on August 1, 2023.
The jury heard Patterson told Ms Atkinson she bought the mushrooms for a pasta dish but decided not to use them all because they smelt a 'bit funky'.
Patterson and Ms Atkinson then swapped calls and messages over the next few days.
Ms Atkinson gave evidence she had trouble getting Patterson to return calls and messages in a timely fashion.
Justice Beale said Ms Atkinson had been keen to learn the location of where the dried mushrooms were purchased.
Patterson claimed she likely paid cash to buy the mushrooms and the stores were 'maybe in Oakleigh or Clayton'.
Patterson later claimed she hadn't used the dried mushrooms in any other meal.
Ms Atkinson said Patterson later mentioned the store may have been on King St, Glen Waverley.

 
  • #177
Why would you dehydrate already dehydrated mushrooms bought from anyone? And how convenient that the packaging is non-existent. And why use mushrooms that smell funny in any dish rather than throw them out??? Why store them? That won't make the smell go away.
You wouldn't Linas. It's nonsensical...
 
  • #178
You wouldn't Linas. It's nonsensical...
Also she supposedly paid cash- untraceable, and can't remember the exact store- because it'd be disproven.
 
  • #179

An update on the trial timeline​

As the jury enters today, Justice Beale provides a quick update in terms of timeline.

He tells the jury he will continue his charge today and tomorrow morning.

"You'll be able to go home for the weekend and then I'll continue completing my charge [Monday]," he says.

He is expecting to finish delivering his directions on Monday at which point the jury will be sent out to deliberate.

"As you know whilst you're engaged with your deliberations, at the end of each day you'll be sequested," he tells the jury.

This means they'll be taken to accommodation each night rather than going home until a verdict is reached.
 
  • #180
11:26

Mushroom poisoning deemed an 'isolated incident'​

Justice Beale said Ms Atkinson sent photos of clear bags to Patterson to try and get a clearer picture of what they were looking for and Patterson circled one image and sent it back.
Ms Atkinson gave evidence Patterson claimed the bag was about 20g rather than 100g as she had initially indicated.
On August 3, Patterson told Ms Atkinson she had rehydrated the dried mushrooms and then sliced them up for the Wellingtons.
The health department closed their investigation on August 11 after deeming the risk to the public was 'very low' and made a report.
'Although initial information suggested [death caps] may have been purchased from an Asian grocer and used in the meal, the epidemiological environments established it was highly unlikely that the commercial mushroom supply chain was contaminated with [death cap mushroom toxins],' Justice Beale said the report stated.
'Further on in that report, based on the above, the risk of public health was deemed very low...
'No food were considered to be warranted…
'Monash City Council had explored all Asian grocers in the areas nominated by Erin Patterson.
'And the department did not receive any other reports of people falling ill in relation to the mushrooms and they concluded it was an isolated incident.'

 
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