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

[TootsieFootsie]

Jury selected in Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial

The murder trial of Erin Patterson over an allegedly poisonous mushroom meal has commenced, nearly two years on from when three people died after eating a beef Wellington.

www.abc.net.au

The jury has been picked for the trial of Erin Patterson, who stands accused of murdering three relatives after allegedly cooking a poisonous beef Wellington.

A large pool of potential jurors gathered outside the Latrobe Valley Law Courts on Tuesday morning, before being brought into the precinct.

The group has been drawn from the area around the trial location of Morwell, about an hour's drive from where the alleged poisonings occurred in Leongatha.

Jurors in the highly anticipated trial are set to receive instructions from the trial judge, Justice Christopher Beale, this afternoon.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/triple-murder-trial-of-erin-patterson-set-to-begin-over-allegedly-deadly-mushroom-lunch/news-story/5f2a7924bd07e0a1274f7d3a83b7aeba

Jurors in the trial of alleged triple-murderer Erin Patterson have been told separate charges alleging she had attempted to kill her husband three times had been dropped by prosecutors.

Ms Patterson is facing trial accused of murdering three of her in-laws and attempting to murder one more following an allegedly fatal beef wellington lunch she served and hosted almost two years ago.

 

[PingTheRouter]

Jury selected in Erin Patterson's triple-murder trial

The murder trial of Erin Patterson over an allegedly poisonous mushroom meal has commenced, nearly two years on from when three people died after eating a beef Wellington.

www.abc.net.au

Jurors in the trial of alleged triple-murderer Erin Patterson have been told separate charges alleging she had attempted to kill her husband three times had been dropped by prosecutors.

Ms Patterson is facing trial accused of murdering three of her in-laws and attempting to murder one more following an allegedly fatal beef wellington lunch she served and hosted almost two years ago.

now its not sub judice and you all know

 

[TootsieFootsie]

DBM

 

[drsleuth]

 

[SouthAussie]

The Age says the jury consists of 5 women and 10 men, from a panel of 120 prospective jurors.

Colin Mandy SC and barrister Sophie Stafford for Erin Patterson.
Nanette Rogers SC and prosecutor Jane Warren for the Crown.

Three rows of seats in the small courtroom.

Erin Patterson in the dock between 2 security guards.

Accused mushroom cook killer has attempted murder charges dropped ahead of trial

Erin Patterson is facing trial after pleading not guilty over a fatal mushroom lunch, but jurors have been told that charges of attempting to kill her husband in the months before the fateful meal have been withdrawn.

www.theage.com.au

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Thanks @SouthAussie for bringing the court scene to life.

 

[drsleuth]

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/murder-trial-of-leongatha-mushroom-chef-erin-patterson-begins/news-story/826ec02c6507450047701ece5284f212?amp

Attempted murder charges dropped in Erin Patterson mushroom cook case​

Prosecutors running the murder case against mushroom chef Erin Patterson have dropped charges relating to the alleged attempted murder of her ex-husband.

John Ferguson and Ellie Dudley

April 29, 2025 - 4:21PM


Ms Patterson had also faced attempted murder charges relating to her ex-husband, Simon.
Justice Beale told the jury on Tuesday the charges had been discontinued.

BBM : That seems abit odd to me that the jury were told this?

Obviously alot has been happening behind the scenes, so to speak. IMO

 

[SouthAussie]

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/murder-trial-of-leongatha-mushroom-chef-erin-patterson-begins/news-story/826ec02c6507450047701ece5284f212?amp

Attempted murder charges dropped in Erin Patterson mushroom cook case​

Prosecutors running the murder case against mushroom chef Erin Patterson have dropped charges relating to the alleged attempted murder of her ex-husband.

John Ferguson and Ellie Dudley

April 29, 2025 - 4:21PM


Ms Patterson had also faced attempted murder charges relating to her ex-husband, Simon.
Justice Beale told the jury on Tuesday the charges had been discontinued.

BBM : That seems abit odd to me that the jury were told this?

Obviously alot has been happening behind the scenes, so to speak. IMO

Yes, the judge told the jury that they had to get that out of their minds - about allegedly trying to kill her husband. As per the article in The Age.

 

[drsleuth]

Twist in mushroom murder trial as some charges dropped

www.9news.com.au

Patterson sat in the court dock wearing a pink and white striped shirt and silently watched Justice Christopher Beale as he instructed the jury this afternoon.

A jury of 15 from Victoria's Gippsland region were selected today, made up of 10 men and five women.

He then informed jurors that three attempted murder charges, involving Patterson's former husband Simon, had been discontinued by the prosecution.
"The accused was charged by police with three counts of attempted murder in relation to her estranged husband Simon Patterson," Justice Beale said.
"Those charges have been discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"In other words, those charges have been dropped and you must put them out of your mind."

The prosecution, led by Nanette Rogers SC, will deliver their opening address to the jury tomorrow morning.
Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy SC will then deliver the defence's reply, before the first witness is expected to be called on Thursday.

 

[drsleuth]

Yes, the judge told the jury that they had to get that out of their minds - about allegedly trying to kill her husband. As per the article in The Age.

Yep, just trying to understand why they were even told this......

 

[PingTheRouter]

he is being called as first witness tomorrow after opening statements should be interesting testimony

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Good article. Judges instructions to jury.

Erin Patterson no longer accused of attempting to kill husband as mushroom murders trial begins

Victorian supreme court judge tells jury that charges relating to Simon Patterson have been dropped

www.theguardian.com

The panel is made up of 10 men and five women. Three of them are reserve jurors, with only 12 deciding on a verdict. The verdict must be unanimous.

He also explained the onus was on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“Ms Patterson does not have to prove anything. That never changes from start to finish,” he said.

“It’s not for her to demonstrate her innocence, but for the prosecution to prove the charges they have brought against her.
“
It’s not enough for the prosecution to prove the accused is probably guilty, or very likely to be guilty.”

He said that in order for Patterson to be found guilty of murder the prosecution had to prove four elements beyond reasonable doubt: that Patterson caused the death of the alleged victim, that she did so consciously, voluntarily and deliberately, that she did so intending to kill, or to cause really serious injury, and that she did so without any lawful justification or excuse.

 

[SouthAussie]

With the charges about SP dropped, the prosecution won't be able to use any "ramping up" theory. Which is what I personally thought about those earlier alleged incidents and then the later deaths and near-death.

The deaths and the near-death will have to stand on their own.

imo

 

[Kemug]

It's very hard to put something out of your mind - guaranteed to keep said thing popping up regularly.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

It's very hard to put something out of your mind - guaranteed to keep said thing popping up regularly.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[PingTheRouter]

Goodnight everyone, ill see you tomorrow hope the coverage is thick and fast tomorrow

 

[SouthAussie]

It's very hard to put something out of your mind - guaranteed to keep said thing popping up regularly.

Yes. The judge certainly drew attention to it. But in mentioning it, it is probably one step closer to not giving any reason for appeal - depending on the verdict.

Being very careful to show he won't allow anything prejudicial in the jurors deliberations.

imo

 

[Salah11]

So it’s started?

 

[JBowie]

this will be explained tomorrow,

Regardless, I'm hoping this isn't a harbinger of a mistake-riddled prosecution effort ahead.