Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #5 *Arrest*

[MrJ]

I'm confused, wasn't she questioned a few months ago, then the press release that her lawyers screened beforehand? What is the difference between formal questioning and being questioned after you've been arrested?

 

[Ellery84]

*she got to take her purse with her?…

That footage of Erin with her small bag was taken a number of weeks ago. It’s not from today.

 

[Estelle]

I have never heard of technology detector dogs before, have you? What role do they play?

Thanks Amalgam for the link to an article about these dogs. Apparently, these dogs can find hidden mobile phones, USBs, SIM cards and SD cards.

And they would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for those meddling dogs

We all know that police dogs have been trained to follow trails, sniff out drugs and even find explosives, but these dogs are into technology.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Ellery84]

I'm confused, wasn't she questioned a few months ago, then the press release that her lawyers screened beforehand? What is the difference between formal questioning and being questioned after you've been arrested?

I guess when you are arrested you get taken into custody, so I would assume she is currently in police custody being questioned.

 

[ch_13]

I imagine that the Wilkinson's and Patterson's have been anxiously waiting for this arrest to finally take place.

I hope it gives them some peace.

 

[Estelle]

I

I tend to agree, but it has been claimed in media coverage that Erin has engaged a top legal firm, well versed in homicide cases.

Did Erin change her lawyer after the initial media release by her previous lawyers?

 

[Ellery84]

Did Erin change her lawyer after the initial media release by her previous lawyers?

No, I don’t think she did.

IMO

 

[MsMarple]

I'm confused, wasn't she questioned a few months ago, then the press release that her lawyers screened beforehand? What is the difference between formal questioning and being questioned after you've been arrested?

As far as we know Erin was never formally questioned by LE.

What happened was that she initially told LE “No comment” then on approximately August 13 or 14 released a statement to the media that was allegedly given to LE in order to set the record straight and so that people could better understand what happened in hopes of not thinking she was an “evil witch.”

The Deputy Police Commissioner was angry over the media link and made it clear the statement was not an official police statement.

Why her lawyers chose that strategy is puzzling since as noted above EP’s law firm representing her is supposedly a high powered firm.
So as far as we know Erin has never been formally questioned by LE in person, all that’s only been given LE was the written statement taken by her own lawyers.

Woman who cooked suspected poisoned meal details where she bought mushrooms

The woman who cooked a meal that is believed to have contained poisonous mushrooms and led to the deaths of three people gives a lengthy written statement to police detailing her account of what happened, and revealing she was hospitalised after the incident.

www.abc.net.au

Deputy police chief slams ‘unhelpful’ circulation of mushroom cook’s statement

Victoria Police say their lengthy investigation into the deaths of three people will include examining the veracity of Erin Patterson’s statement about the fatal lunch.

www.theage.com.au

 

[MrJ]

Investigators will give a press conference on the case in around half an hour from now. I wonder if charges will be announced.

Source for this is the update to the ABC News arrest article: Erin Patterson arrested three months on from mushroom lunch linked to three deaths

 

[Estelle]

No, I don’t think she did.

IMO

Erin's prominent criminal lawyer is Bill Doogue.

Woman at centre of mushroom mystery visits lawyers, one month after deadly meal

www.9news.com.au

 

[Estelle]

Erin's prominent criminal lawyer is Bill Doogue.

Woman at centre of mushroom mystery visits lawyers, one month after deadly meal

www.9news.com.au

This is Bill Doogue's profile:

Bill Doogue

Bill Doogue, accredited criminal lawyer and partner at Doogue + George Call us at 03 9670 5111 to speak with Bill about your case.

www.criminal-lawyers.com.au

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I'm shocked, wasn't expecting any updates for a while. This is a huge update and no doubt will reignite my interest in the case. No charges laid as of yet, we shall see. IMO but an arrest wouldn't just happen over nothing.

People have been arrested before in other cases which did turn out to be over nothing.
Time will tell if anything comes of this.

The public is expecting something to be done...

 

[MsMarple]

Can y’all post about the press conference when it happens? I’m cooking dinner. Thanks guys!

 

[MrJ]

Press conference on now. No charges yet but police are saying after they have searched EP's property they will interview her.

 

[clearskies1]

Live press conference now. ETA: That was quick. Lasted about 2 minutes. It's over.

 

[MrJ]

Summary of press conference:
- EP's property is still in the process of being searched, including with the assistance of technology sniffing dogs from the AFP (Australian Federal Police).
- Once that has been completed, EP will be interviewed from detectives from the Homicide Squad.
- No charges yet.
- Notes that the investigation has had significant media interest.
- Police will give updates when possible.
- Police are calling for people to refrain from speculation regarding this case so as not to adversely impact the investigation.
- Remember that at the heart of the investigation are three deaths, and that such a tragedy will be deeply felt in close-knit, small communities.

I think that's about it, happy to be corrected on other points.

edited post to include quotes from Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Guardian live blog:

 

[ch_13]

As far as we know Erin was never formally questioned by LE.

What happened was that she initially told LE “No comment” then on approximately August 13 or 14 released a statement to the media that was allegedly given to LE in order to set the record straight and so that people could better understand what happened in hopes of not thinking she was an “evil witch.”

The Deputy Police Commissioner was angry over the media link and made it clear the statement was not an official police statement.

Why her lawyers chose that strategy is puzzling since as noted above EP’s law firm representing her is supposedly a high powered firm.
So as far as we know Erin has never been formally questioned by LE in person, all that’s only been given LE was the written statement taken by her own lawyers.

Woman who cooked suspected poisoned meal details where she bought mushrooms

The woman who cooked a meal that is believed to have contained poisonous mushrooms and led to the deaths of three people gives a lengthy written statement to police detailing her account of what happened, and revealing she was hospitalised after the incident.

www.abc.net.au

Deputy police chief slams ‘unhelpful’ circulation of mushroom cook’s statement

Victoria Police say their lengthy investigation into the deaths of three people will include examining the veracity of Erin Patterson’s statement about the fatal lunch.

www.theage.com.au

I believe she did answer a few questions. For example, she lied and claimed that she had disposed of the dehydrator a long time before the lunch. I'm not sure how formal that initial questioning was.

But then she quickly clammed up and refused to comment further, supposedly at the behest of her original attorney.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

*she got to take her purse with her?…

What is called a purse in the US, is called a handbag or a bag in Australia.

A purse here is small and has enough room for some coins, and or your keys.

 

[Amalgam]

No, I don’t think she did.

IMO

I recall that Erin said she regretted taking the advice of her first lawyer/legal firm and stonewalling the police and media, but after seeking new representation she made the statement the media discussed.

 

[Estelle]

I recall that Erin said she regretted taking the advice of her first lawyer/legal firm and stonewalling the police and media, but after seeking new representation she made the statement the media discussed.

That was my understanding too but I could not find a link to it.