Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #7 *Arrest*

[drsleuth]

11:14​

Tiffanie Turnbull
Live reporter

The judge says there are four things the jury needs to be sure of on the attempted murder charge.

That charge relates to Ian Wilkinson, who was seriously unwell for weeks after the lunch, but recovered.

The prosecution must prove:

• That Ms Patterson consciously, voluntarily and deliberately served Mr Wilkinson a poisoned meal
• That her actions went beyond simply preparing tokill Mr Wilkinson, and that they were “immediately” – as opposed to “remotely”- connected to killing him
• That she intended to kill him
• And that she had no lawful justification or excuse for her actions

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

10.21am

Erin Patterson’s defence team arrives to court​

By​

The lawyers representing Erin Patterson have just arrived at court.

Patterson is represented by Colin Mandy, SC, and fellow barrister Sophie Stafford. Lawyers Bill Doogue and Ophelia Holloway.

View attachment 582607





10.39am

Erin Patterson steps into the courtroom​

By​

Erin Patterson has arrived in the courtroom.

She’s dressed in a blue and white striped shirt. A woman seated in the front row was seen winking at the accused.

View attachment 582609

Just wondering, because I’m unfamiliar with the Australian judicial system, why two of the lawyers are wearing robes and two are not.

 

[drsleuth]

If anyone else wants to post updates , feel free, maybe we can split them between the ABC, The Age & BBC??

 

[drsleuth]

Case originally thought to be 'mass food poisoning' prosecution sayspublished at 11:18​

11:18​

Tiffanie Turnbull
Live reporter

The prosecution has begun opening their case, telling the jury this case was "originally thought to be a mass food poisoning event".

About 11 to 12 hours after a lunch of beef wellington, the lunch guests each developed severe symptoms, Nanette Rogers SC says.

By midday the next day, all had presented to hospital, she says.

"Over the following days, their conditions declined."

"Ian Wilkinson was the only lunch guest to survive."

Prosecutor says alleged victims had death cap mushroom poisoningpublished at 11:21
11:21​

Katy Watson and Simon Atkinson
reporting from court

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers says police investigated what was initially thought to be a mass food poisoning event.

As a result of the investigation, Erin Patterson was charged with one count of attempted murder and three charges of murder, Rogers says.

The prosecutor is talking about amanita poisoning - that’s death cap mushrooms.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

11.21am

What happened on July 29, 2023​

By​

Crown prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers is about to open the case.

In courtroom 4 of the Latrobe Valley justice precinct in Morwell, Rogers begins with a brief rundown of the events on July 29, 2023 – the day Patterson served beef Wellington to her lunch guests at her home in Leongatha.

Ian Wilkinson (left) and Simon Patterson (right).

By midday the next day, Rogers said, the lunch guests had each presented to either Korumburra or Leongatha hospitals. Over the following days, their condition declined, and they were taken to metropolitan hospitals for treatment.
“Ian Wilkinson was the only lunch guest to survive following a long stay hospital,” Rogers told the jury.

Rogers said doctors clinically diagnosed each of the four guests with having consumed death cap mushrooms.

Simon Patterson, Patterson’s husband, was also invited to the lunch but declined, the court heard.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[drsleuth]

Key Event
1m ago

Prosecution openings begin​

By Joseph Dunstan​

Reporting by Kristian Silva

Nanette Rogers SC has been called upon to open the case for the prosecution.

She says this case centres on a lunch held at Erin Patterson's home on July 29, 2023.

Dr Rogers says Ms Patterson's in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, along with Heather and Ian Wilkinson, attended the lunch.

About 11 or 12 hours later they fell sick with severe gastroenteritis, Dr Rogers said.

Within days, all died despite the efforts of staff at several hospitals.

"All four were each diagnosed by treating doctors with amanita mushroom poisoning," Dr Rogers said.

"What was initially thought to be a mass food poisoning event was investigated by police."

Later, Ms Patterson was charged with murder and attempted murder.

Erin Patterson's lawyer tells jury mushroom poisoning deaths were 'a terrible accident' — as it happened

A Supreme Court jury hears opening submissions in the trial of Victorian woman Erin Patterson, who is accused of using a poisoned meal to murder three relatives. Look back at how it unfolded on our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

Erin Patterson stayed 'amicable' with husband after separation, says prosecutionpublished at 11:24
11:24​

The prosecution has described Erin Patterson and her estranged husband, Simon Patterson's relationship.

Nanette Rogers says they were married and had two children. During their marriage, Ms Patterson and her husband separated several times for short periods, but subsequently reconciled.

She says they later lived in separate homes, but despite the separation, the accused and Mr Patterson remained amicable, and even regularly attended the same church.

“[They] remained friendly, amicable affable... they spokeregularly and took planned holidays together.

“Simon remained hopeful for some time that he and theaccused would someday reunite.”

11:25​

The prosecution is giving us a bit of background about Erin Patterson.

After detailing her marriage and eventual separation, Rogers says Ms Patterson started participating in a bunch of Facebook groups discussing true crime cases.

Jury shown photo of dining table where lunch was servedpublished at 11:26​

The jury has been shown a photo of a dining table inside the two story five bedroom Leongatha bedroom house that Erin Patterson moved into in late 2022.

This is the house where the lunch was served.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

11.21am

What happened on July 29, 2023​

By​

Crown prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers is about to open the case.

In courtroom 4 of the Latrobe Valley justice precinct in Morwell, Rogers begins with a brief rundown of the events on July 29, 2023 – the day Patterson served beef Wellington to her lunch guests at her home in Leongatha.

Ian Wilkinson (left) and Simon Patterson (right).

By midday the next day, Rogers said, the lunch guests had each presented to either Korumburra or Leongatha hospitals. Over the following days, their condition declined, and they were taken to metropolitan hospitals for treatment.
“Ian Wilkinson was the only lunch guest to survive following a long stay hospital,” Rogers told the jury.

Rogers said doctors clinically diagnosed each of the four guests with having consumed death cap mushrooms.

Simon Patterson, Patterson’s husband, was also invited to the lunch but declined, the court heard.


11.28am

Separated but amicable: Crown talks about Simon and Erin’s relationship​

​

Crown prosecutor Dr. Nanette Rogers is now describing how Erin Patterson met her former husband, Simon, while working at the Monash City Council in the early 2000s and how the pair separated several times during their marriage before finally separating in late 2015.

The couple lived separately from that point but remained amicable, the court was told.

The pair attended the same church, the Korumburra Baptist Church. Simon handled the technical aspects, and Patterson assisted with managing the online livestream.

Ian Wilkinson (left) and Simon Patterson (right).

 

[JLZ]

Just wondering, because I’m unfamiliar with the Australian judicial system, why two of the lawyers are wearing robes and two are not.

The two in gowns will be the barristers. Barristers have to dress in accordance with the rules of the Victorian Bar.

 

[drsleuth]

Lunch invitation was to discuss Erin Patterson's medical issues, court hearspublished at 11:35​

11:35​

Tiffanie Turnbull
Live reporter

Erin Patterson invited her estranged husband Simon, his parents, and Gail and Ian Wilkinson to her house "to discuss some medical issues she had", the prosecutor says.

Mr and Mrs Wilkinson were "surprised at the invitation because they’d never before beento the accused’s house", Nanette Rogers says.

Simon originally said he'd attend, but texted Ms Patterson the afternoon before to say he'd changed his mind.

He told her "he felt too uncomfortable” but was happy to talk over thephone, the prosecutor says.

Erin replied saying she was "disappointed", Dr Rogers says - and "she emphasised the effort she had put into… the lunch".

The guests 'had banter over how much of meal they ate'published at 11:37
11:37​

Simon Atkinson
Australia producer, reporting from court

We are hearing details of the beef wellington meal which was served on large grey plates with mashed potato and green beans.

The beef wellington was beef steak with mushrooms covered in pastry.

“There was banter among them about how much they have eaten," prosecutor Nanette Rogers says.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

11.34am

The electronic footprint of an alleged killer​

By​

The jury has heard, during the prosecution’s opening address, that from about 2019, Patterson formed connections with online associates through a Kelie Lane true crime Facebook page.

Over time, splinter groups formed to discuss current affairs and their personal lives.

Patterson used a number of profiles, including under the names Erin Erin, Erin Patterson and Erin Erin Erin.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[MsMarple]

Erin Patterson stayed 'amicable' with husband after separation, says prosecutionpublished at 11:24​

11:24​

The prosecution has described Erin Patterson and her estranged husband, Simon Patterson's relationship.

Nanette Rogers says they were married and had two children. During their marriage, Ms Patterson and her husband separated several times for short periods, but subsequently reconciled.

She says they later lived in separate homes, but despite the separation, the accused and Mr Patterson remained amicable, and even regularly attended the same church.

“[They] remained friendly, amicable affable... they spokeregularly and took planned holidays together.

“Simon remained hopeful for some time that he and theaccused would someday reunite.”

11:25​

The prosecution is giving us a bit of background about Erin Patterson.

After detailing her marriage and eventual separation, Rogers says Ms Patterson started participating in a bunch of Facebook groups discussing true crime cases.

Jury shown photo of dining table where lunch was servedpublished at 11:26​

The jury has been shown a photo of a dining table inside the two story five bedroom Leongatha bedroom house that Erin Patterson moved into in late 2022.

This is the house where the lunch was served.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

From your link:

Nanette Rogers says they were married and had two children. During their marriage, Ms Patterson and her husband separated several times for short periods, but subsequently reconciled.

She says they later lived in separate homes, but despite the separation, the accused and Mr Patterson remained amicable, and even regularly attended the same church.

“[They] remained friendly, amicable affable... they spokeregularly and took planned holidays together.

“Simon remained hopeful for some time that he and the accused would someday reunite.”
———
That’s a little different from earlier stories. Also I thought Erin was supposed to be an atheist? I can’t wait to see what else msm and friends of Simon and Erin got wrong…

 

[drsleuth]

Erin Patterson ate from smaller plate, says prosecutionpublished at 11:38​

​

Katy Watson
Australia correspondent, reporting from court

The prosecution says there were four large grey dinner plates and a smaller one which was tan orange, according to Ian Wilkinson, who became seriously ill but survived.

The others all ate from large grey dinner plates, Erin Patterson from the smaller plate, says Nanette Rogers.

They said grace and started the meal.

Ian and Heather Wilkinson ate all their portions. Gail Patterson ate half and gave the rest to husband Donald – he ate his portion and half of Gail's. Erin Patterson also ate a beef wellington.

11:39​

After the lunch, the accused said she had cancer and askedfor advice about telling her children, the prosecutor says.

The group prayed together about the best way forward, adds Dr Rogers.

After the lunch broke up, Ms Patterson spent the evening with her children - and Dr Rogers said they don't recall her making any mention of feeling unwell.

​

​

​

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[drsleuth]

Court takes short break​

11:42​

After about an hour the prosecution outlining their case, the judge suggests it's time for a short break.

Erin Patterson: Trial begins for Australia woman accused of toxic mushroom lunch

Erin Patterson, from Victoria, is facing three counts of murder and one of attempted murder over the alleged beef wellington poisoning in July 2023.

www.bbc.com

 

[MsMarple]

Erin has cancer??

 

[drsleuth]

11.44am

Simon Patterson hoped to reunite with his wife​

By​

During her opening address, Crown prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers delved into the relationship between Erin Patterson and her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson.

After Simon and Erin separated, the court heard that both Gail and Don Patterson remained on amicable terms with the accused.

Gail and Don Patterson

Don was a school teacher and Gail was a homemaker, the jury heard.

Dr Nanette Rogers also spoke about Ian and Heather Wilkinson, who were also at the lunch on July 29, 2023.

Ian has been the pastor of the Korumburra Baptist Church since 1999. Heather worked as an English teacher.

Rogers says that despite their separation in 2015, Simon Patterson remained hopeful that he would reunite with Erin Patterson at some point. They continued to communicate with members of the Patterson family through a Signal messaging app.

Alleged mushroom cook didn’t ingest death caps, ‘no record’ she had cancer, jury told: Trial day one, as it happened

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch. Today, Nanette Rogers, SC, will present the prosecution’s case against Patterson.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Detechtive]

Erin has cancer??

Erin said she has cancer. The report doesn't make it clear whether or not that is true.
No doubt we will find out as the case progresses.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Unexpected thing I have to take care of.
Grrrr.
Hope not long.

 

[MsMarple]

The lunch invitation​

On June 24, 2023, the accused posted Donald and Gail at her home for lunch along with the children, Rogers has told the court.

Simon Patterson had also been invited but on 12 June sent her an invitation, but he declined.

Don and Gail went to the lunch, but did not get sick, Rogers said.

“The accused told them she had a lump in her elbow that needed testing and that she was going to St Vincent Hospital on June 28,” Rogers said.

“The following day, the accused said the appointment went ok. She said a needle biopsy was taken of the lump and she would be going for an MRI the following week.”

Rogers said Gail later sent Patterson a message asking how she was going, and she responded that there was a bit more to digest about what happened and she would talk to them about it in person.

On July 16, she went to Korumburra church with the kids and Simon and Don and Gail, with Simon sitting at the service desk.

Rogers said Patterson approached Heather, Ian and asked them to lunch, before approaching Simon at the desk and invited him to come to lunch with Don and Gail.

“She said she wanted to hold a lunch on July 23,” Rogers said.

“She said the purpose of the lunch was to discuss the medical issues. She said it was important the kids not be present.

“Ian and Heather were surprised by the invitation as they had never been to her house.

“The day before Simon, messaged her to say he would not attend the lunch.”

Erin Patterson ‘hiding’ dehydrated mushrooms ‘in everything’, court hears

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

7news.com.au

 

[SouthAussie]

Erin said she has cancer. The report doesn't make it clear whether or not that is true.
No doubt we will find out as the case progresses.

It certainly is a big enough thing to lure them all there. If it is not true, and her doctor had advised her it was likely benign, it is going to point to a deliberate poisoning.

imo