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

[Cedars]

I think that Simon described Erin as a "devoted" mother. People can be devoted to their children and still do things that are not good for their children. imo


“She seemed like a devoted mother, most of the time,” he said.

Simon said he believed she took her role as a mother seriously, that she was keen and supportive of them to be in different activities, and helped them with their homework.

‘Friction’ over Erin Patterson’s $40-a-month child support payments

The mother is accused of killing three people with poisonous death cap mushrooms.

7news.com.au

I agree.

Plus, I think it is up to the children to decide how they feel about their mother.

In a moral sense, I think one of the worst offences otherwise well-meaning people can commit is to tell children they had a terrible mother. She gave them life, she ensured they survived. It's nothing to do with other things she may or not have done. It's not a course that other people decide whether she passed or failed, it's a profound existential bond.

JMO

 

[Detechtive]

She's sure made a mess of their lives for a devoted mother. IMO

 

[LadyL]

Must be frustrating only starting at 10:30am. Barely get into it, and it's time for a break, then lunch, then early finish and 16 long hours to fill before you can get back into it again.

I would prefer to go at it until a decision was made, as happens in government sometimes, or at least spend longer each day on it. But I can understand that approach wouldn't be for everyone.

I think after a long trial, it might be a relief for them but I understand why you would want to deliberate longer days to get it done sooner too.

 

[ellyvantelli]

Given the media interest in this trial, the nearest available accommodation to Morwell which isn't stuffed to the eves with journos may be the suburbs of Sydney. They may have a 2-3 hour commute to and from the jury deliberation room each day!

edited cos I can't spell for toffee!

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I think a jury shouldn't be expected to deliberate for long hours at a time.
There may be people of all ages on the jury and older people may get mentally and physically tired sooner than if they were younger.
Even younger people may not be at their mental best if they deliberated for long hours without a break.

You want jury members feeling mentally and physically alert and able to think clearly.

The longer you keep them going hour after hour, the more chance they might decide on a verdict because they're too mentally and/or physically exhausted to continue.

So yes, in my opinion, those frequent breaks are not a luxury, they're a necessity.

 

[ellyvantelli]

I think a jury shouldn't be expected to deliberate for long hours at a time.
There may be people of all ages on the jury and older people may get mentally and physically tired sooner than if they were younger.

So yes, in my opinion, those frequent breaks are not a luxury, they're a necessity.

RSBM BBM

And younger jury members may not yet have the nous to know that their mental capacity declines as they get tired

 

[Anika]

She's sure made a mess of their lives for a devoted mother. IMO

Not to mention what seems to be, from my side, a pretty heavy dose of gaslighting their entire recollection of events.

 

[musicaljoke]

I think a jury shouldn't be expected to deliberate for long hours at a time.
There may be people of all ages on the jury and older people may get mentally and physically tired sooner than if they were younger.
Even younger people may not be at their mental best if they deliberated for long hours without a break.

You want jury members feeling mentally and physically alert and able to think clearly.

The longer you keep them going hour after hour, the more chance they might decide on a verdict because they're too mentally and/or physically exhausted to continue.

So yes, in my opinion, those frequent breaks are not a luxury, they're a necessity.

Indeed. The frequent breaks can also help relieve the tension if the group isn't getting along well on a particular point.

 

[Detechtive]

Not to mention what seems to be, from my side, a pretty heavy dose of gaslighting their entire recollection of events.

Not to mention - didn't want to get them medical treatment when doctors said their lives might be at risk

 

[Lisa4]

Sorry, I had thought it was obvious that breaks would be a necessity whichever way you went at it, sorry I wasn't clearer! But good points re the too long hours, I can see the courts wouldn't want to give grounds for appeals on the basis that the jury had been too exhausted to think straight.

 

[Ellery84]

Do the jury have access to their phones or any media while in the hotel?

No.

 

[Lisa4]

Not to mention - didn't want to get them medical treatment when doctors said their lives might be at risk

Oh but she didn't want to frighten them

 

[LinasK]

Oh but she didn't want to frighten them

In other words, no need to unnecessarily frighten them when she KNEW how their test results would turn out IMO. (They were never exposed to Death Cap mushrooms unlike her guests). They didn't get the beef that was in the Beef Wellingtons.

 

[iridized]

@LinasK My thoughts are with you and your family during these next few days. Even though it has been many years I am sure it is a sad time for all. May you and yours get closure one day.

​

 

[LinasK]

@LinasK My thoughts are with you and your family during these next few days. Even though it has been many years I am sure it is a sad time for all. May you and yours get closure one day.

​

Thank you. The family has come to realize that we probably aren't ever getting Mark back. It's been too long to recover him, but he'll always live in our memories.

 

[Way2Invested]

Given the media interest in this trial, the nearest available accommodation to Morwell which isn't stuffed to the eves with journos may be the suburbs of Sydney. They may have a 2-3 hour commute to and from the jury deliberation room each day!

edited cos I can't spell for toffee!

I think you might be mixing up Sydney (capital of NSW and 10 hours drive from Morwell) and Melbourne (capital of VIC and 2 hours drive from Morwell). I should think the hotels in Morwell are pretty booked out but there are plenty of surrounding towns - Traralgon, Moe, Churchill, Warragul, Sale, Leongatha, etc. that would have accommodation much closer than Melbourne.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Come on Morwell, you can't let the Diddy jury beat you to a verdict!

 

[katydid23]

Do the jury have access to their phones or any media while in the hotel?

I'm not sure the rules in Victoria, but I know that the sequestered jurors in California are allowed to use their phones at specific times only, to call family or friends. But a bailiff hands them their phones and stays close by. then picks up their phones again. No current news papers or magazines that would have any news.

And the tv's in the hotel rooms only had a small list of options for them to watch---documentaries, old films, music or sports etc.

 

[dothetime]

Respectfully, this isn't entertainment, these are real people's lives

I'm sure Simon, Ian ,Erin's kids & family etc aren't bored, but anxious, very anxious IMO

I'm thinking of them, must be so hard for them ..........they are the victims & we should always keep that in mind IMO

I wonder, who among them think the accused is guilty, and if any think she is not. We are not party to this information, and their witness statements were right back at the beginning of the trial before the pros. and def. had their say.

 

[loreet]

I wonder, who among them think the accused is guilty, and if any think she is not. We are not party to this information, and their witness statements were right back at the beginning of the trial before the pros. and def. had their say.

I think it is very difficult to believe someone you have known your entire life could be capable of such a crime as cold-blooded premeditated murder. I have seen denial run very deeply in family members of even convicted murderers. Prayers for the children and Simon, and any other family members and friends, as well as the victims and their loved ones. And Ian, who has shown himself to be a person of great character I think.