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

[JBowie]

I agree JLZ, he's lost alot & still comes across gracefull IMO

I'm not there to hear and watch him but, from what I read, he sure is coming across as a "turn the other cheek" type.

 

[Klclevi]

I have to think the plate scenario is fairly irrelevant IMO.
I generally have a smaller plate than my other half (which are not matching for everyday or i have a smaller bowl). So no biggie in that respect.
If I was having guests over however you would more than likely set the table with your matching stuff and all that if you went to a weeks worth of trouble to prepare the lunch. I mean thats almost like Christmas Day! Or maybe she just didnt care and ate off her favourite plate.
IF she is guilty she would have had to identify the non poisoned BW before it got on the plate yes? She must have marked it differently or something like that in the pastry to be able to do that or in the baking put it in the place on the tray that then she would then transfer it to her plate.
Again, does not make sense her kids then ate some leftovers from that , but there is nothing to say she didnt make extra ones with no mushrooms and they ate that ? I would not risk giving my kids anything near something like that if I knew it.
Her disappointment at not having Simon there (possibly as support and to gain his sympathy on the cancer story reeks of emotional manipulation that he clearly was not buying into - I mean he has stated he was hopeful for reconciliation not many years before.
Something is definitely off about the whole thing. and not just the mushies !

 

[katydid23]

After EP hired her new upscale legal team, she [they] put out a fresh new PR type statement:

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

[It is very much a blue print for the defense opening statements from yesterday. ]

Erin Patterson, woman at centre of suspected Leongatha mushroom poisoning, gives her account of fatal meal​

Exclusive by Dan Oakes

• Topicolice

Sun 13 Aug 2023

In a written statement sent to Victoria Police on Friday – and obtained exclusively by the ABC – Gippsland woman Erin Patterson has given her first detailed account of what transpired before and after the fatal lunch.

"I am now wanting to clear up the record because I have become extremely stressed and overwhelmed by the deaths of my loved ones," Ms Patterson said.

"I am hoping this statement might help in some way. I believe if people understood the background more, they would not be so quick to rush to judgement.

"I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones. I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved."

"I now very much regret not answering some questions following this advice given the nightmare that this process has become,"

she said.
Ms Patterson said she found the police interview "terrifying and anxiety-provoking".

She said that on the day of the lunch, she prepared a meal of beef Wellington for herself and her four elderly guests.

According to her statement, Ms Patterson served the meal and allowed the guests to choose their own plates. She then took the last plate and ate a serve of the beef Wellington herself.

Ms Patterson said the mushrooms were a mixture of button mushrooms purchased at a major supermarket chain, and dried mushrooms bought at an Asian grocery store in Melbourne months previously.

The Patterson children ate the leftovers from the lunch the following night.

However, Ms Patterson said the children do not like mushrooms, so she scraped them off the meal.


Ms Patterson said it had not been previously reported that she was also hospitalised after the lunch with bad stomach pains and diarrhoea, and was put on a saline drip and given a "liver protective drug".

She said she was transported by ambulance from the Leongatha Hospital to the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne on July 31.

AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE---WORTH READING THE ARTICLE---She addresses every daunting question
FOR EXAMPLE:
Ms Patterson also addressed media reports that police investigating the deaths had seized a food dehydrator at a local tip, saying it was hers.

In the statement, Ms Patterson admitted she lied to investigators when she told them she had dumped it at the tip "a long time ago".

Ms Patterson said she was at the hospital with her children "discussing the food dehydrator" when her ex-husband, the son of the dead couple, asked: "Is that what you used to poison them?"

Worried that she might lose custody of the couple's children, Ms Patterson said she then panicked and dumped the dehydrator at the tip.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

I have to think the plate scenario is fairly irrelevant IMO.
I generally have a smaller plate than my other half (which are not matching for everyday or i have a smaller bowl). So no biggie in that respect.
If I was having guests over however you would more than likely set the table with your matching stuff and all that if you went to a weeks worth of trouble to prepare the lunch. I mean thats almost like Christmas Day! Or maybe she just didnt care and ate off her favourite plate.
IF she is guilty she would have had to identify the non poisoned BW before it got on the plate yes? She must have marked it differently or something like that in the pastry to be able to do that or in the baking put it in the place on the tray that then she would then transfer it to her plate.
Again, does not make sense her kids then ate some leftovers from that , but there is nothing to say she didnt make extra ones with no mushrooms and they ate that ? I would not risk giving my kids anything near something like that if I knew it.
Her disappointment at not having Simon there (possibly as support and to gain his sympathy on the cancer story reeks of emotional manipulation that he clearly was not buying into - I mean he has stated he was hopeful for reconciliation not many years before.
Something is definitely off about the whole thing. and not just the mushies !

They're both off. Lol. He's lucky he didn't sample her 'speciality' cuisine

 

[katydid23]

AND HERE SHE IS, ADDRESSING A DAUNTING QUESTION;

Former husband was supposed to be at the mushroom lunch​

Ms Patterson alluded to media speculation about the fact her estranged husband, Simon Patterson, reportedly spent a fortnight in hospital in May last year with a severe stomach illness unrelated to the current incident.

In her statement, Ms Patterson said she "reluctantly" agreed to nurse Simon Patterson for three weeks after he was discharged from hospital, before telling him that she did not want to reconcile with him.

Ms Patterson said her estranged husband intended joining the fatal lunch but told her "prior to the day" that he would not be attending.

She paid tribute to her parents-in-law, saying she had been close to them for a long time and had maintained a positive relationship even after her marriage breakdown.

"I had been close with Simon's parents for a long period of time. Our relationship had continued in a fairly amicable way after I finished the relationship with their son Simon," she said.

"Our relationship was affected to some degree by seeing them less after my marriage breakdown with Simon however I have never felt differently towards his parents.

"I had a deep love and respect for Simon's parents and had encouraged my children to spend time with their grandparents as I believed they were exceptional role models."

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

 

[SouthAussie]

I think he's handling it brilliantly, the way he qualifies his assent to the cross-examiner's tricky leading questions. He can't say no without looking irrational or unreliable, but he's not taking the implications lying down either. Not weak, not passive as somebody said. Calm and communicative. And yet what a situation it is for him personally.

He also has two children to think about. Children who are old enough to read every word of what he says about their mother.

 

[JBowie]

In her statement, Ms Patterson said she "reluctantly" agreed to nurse Simon Patterson for three weeks after he was discharged from hospital, before telling him that she did not want to reconcile with him.

Just one of the reasons that I find him quite odd. To me they are The Odd Couple.

 

[iamshadow21]

Question- is one of the deceased saying she thought the mismatched plates were odd heresay? If not, why isnt it? Thanks for explaining in advance!

I believe it's admissible because the person is deceased.

Dying declaration - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Can a dying declaration be admitted in evidence?

If a fatally wounded person names their killer in a dying declaration to someone who didn’t see the crime, could this be accepted as evidence?

stacklaw.com.au

MOO

 

[Kemug]

Oh dear. I find it difficult to believe she is innocent, but I suppose it is just possible. Mostly what I feel is pity, I think (and of course
for the victims.) She had everything going for her - she was extremely pretty, and still could be. She was intelligent. She married a good man from a nice family, has 2 seemingly healthy children, plenty of material goods, a lovely home, you name it. And now her life seems ruined forever. I don't see how she can possibly be acquitted. It seems that her own character and personality has been her downfall. Is that all her fault? I would like to hear what a psychiatrist would say. Even so, everyone knows that murder is wrong, and the law is there to remind us. All I can think is that she wanted to make them suffer, but didn't think they would die.

 

[Bats]

Thanks and it’s absolutely crazy that alarm bells were ringing for them as soon as they got sick. So it obviously really baffled them.

I would love to see her plate sets to see if she had another grey plate that she could of used.

Moo

I'm not sure having a different plate is going to be significant incriminating circumstantial evidence however, to your point, it tells me that on the way to hostpital, Heather must have known that Erin wasn't ill. Otherwise why would she be questioning the different plate? That is, if Erin was seriously ill, Heather wouldn't have raised the plates being different.

It probably means nothing but it's kind of interesting.

 

[katydid23]

Oh, and one more excerpt that was obviously crafted by her defences team:

Police are continuing their investigation into the deaths, and Ms Patterson said she was 'willing to assist police, potentially to the extent of being re-interviewed.'


LOL---Potentially to the extent of being re-interviewed? So she claims she is oh so willing to assist in the investigation of the deaths of her luncheon guests, even to the amazing extent of answering some questions? ---<<< that is perfect Lawyer-Speak, lmao

 

[katydid23]

I'm not sure having a different plate is going to be significant incriminating circumstantial evidence however, to your point, it tells me that on the way to hostpital, Heather must have known that Erin wasn't ill. Otherwise why would she be questioning the different plate. That is, if Erin was seriously ill, Heather wouldn't have raised the plates being different.

It probably means nothing but it's kind of interesting.

Yes, just by itself, a different plate is no big deal. But taken in context, it COULD be problematic for the defense.

As you say, it is kind of interesting.

IMO, if that 'different' plate was used by the only person at that table who didn't get deathly ill, then it raises questions. Is it just a coincidence?

OR was it used was a way to make sure the cook ate safely from the correct plate?

It obviously made Heather suspicious as well.

Erin was a very good cook and she spent days making this complicated gourmet meal for her guests. Every gourmet cook that I know LOVES to use very fine place settings etc. It's part of the presentation. So I do have a hard time believing she doesn't have a 5th plate that is as large as her 4 grey ones and matched them better.

Again, it may be no big deal in the end. But I do think it is just one more odd detail that points to the probability that the cook knew that the 4 big grey plates contained toxic mushrooms, and the colourful little plate didn't. IMO

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

Entering a toilet at a service station: leaving after 9 seconds.
Was this just for show, in case she was watched, her car movements traced?

Maybe the toilet was filthy and she walked in walked out?

Maybe she went in there to gulp down from a bottle of vodka... there's been no evidence to suggest that EP is a substance user of any sort but she's certainly in my frame for possibly being a high functioning secretive alcoholic IMO.

JMO

 

[Bats]

Yes, just by itself, a different plate is no big deal. But taken in context, it COULD be problematic for the defense.

As you say, it is kind of interesting.

IMO, if that 'different' plate was used by the only person at that table who didn't get deathly ill, then it raises questions. Is it just a coincidence?

OR was it used was a way to make sure the cook ate safely from the correct plate?

It obviously made Heather suspicious as well.

Erin was a very good cook and she spent days making this complicated gourmet meal for her guests. Every gourmet cook that I know LOVES to use very fine place settings etc. It's part of the presentation. So I do have a hard time believing she doesn't have a 5th plate that is as large as her 4 grey ones and matched them better.

Again, it may be no big deal in the end. But I do think it is just one more odd detail that points to the probability that the cook knew that the 4 big grey plates contained toxic mushrooms, and the colourful little plate didn't. IMO

I think it absolutely "could" have been a way to tell the meals apart.

... but people aren't found guilty of murder with "could haves" or "may haves" or "might bes" ....

 

[Observe_dont_Absorb]

She did a factory Reset remotely, while it was in LE's possession??? That is a bold move!!!!

In any other circumstances it would be awesome.

 

[Porky1]

Probably would like him to feel the heat of her stare. imo

I get the feeling that she ran the roost, her choice to leave him multiple times, him taking her back, she had the power and the money ... then one day SP chose not to participate in those games any more.

Who knows but he may have given her good reasons to leave. It sounds one-sided but rarely is.

 

[Porky1]

VERY INTERESTING PICTURE BELOW

+11
View gallery
Real estate photos show mushrooms growing at the base of a tree at Ms Patterson's Leongatha property

It looks like fungi growing at the base of a gum tree (not oak or death caps)

 

[Kittybunny]

I think it absolutely "could" have been a way to tell the meals apart.

... but people aren't found guilty of murder with "could haves" or "may haves" or "might bes" ....

It's a good thing then, that this is not the one and only piece of evidence or circumstance that the prosecution is relying on.

On a different topic: Simon's Testimony
Although there were interesting nuggets from Simon today, on the whole, I thought that his testimony was favorable to Erin's defense. There were no big "a-ha" moments that painted her in a really negative light or as a difficult person. There were what seemed like minor disagreements over finances, but nothing egregious. I agree with those that say that Simon came across as somewhat naive, a "turn-the-other-cheek" type, and truly what seems like a genuinely good man. I can read between the lines as to who might have ruled the roost in that marriage, and based on some of what came out early in the case before sub-judice that financial control and custody are likely the motives (as is revenge), but I'm not sure that the jury will be able to connect those dots so clearly. I understand why the prosecutors emphasized that they will not be presenting a motive, and that it doesn't matter. For some jurors, it might. We will see.

For me personally, the case against her remains strong. Although you can certainly pick apart an individual piece of circumstance or evidence in isolation, there is quite a few puzzle pieces that paint a pretty damning picture.

 

[Porky1]

Did the cross examination of SP alter your perception of Erin's character today? Or did it change your position on whether you think she did this deliberately or accidentally?

Starting to think it was an accident or intentional to make them unwell but not premeditated murder.

 

[Detechtive]

Oh dear. I find it difficult to believe she is innocent, but I suppose it is just possible. Mostly what I feel is pity, I think (and of course
for the victims.) She had everything going for her - she was extremely pretty, and still could be. She was intelligent. She married a good man from a nice family, has 2 seemingly healthy children, plenty of material goods, a lovely home, you name it. And now her life seems ruined forever. I don't see how she can possibly be acquitted. It seems that her own character and personality has been her downfall. Is that all her fault? I would like to hear what a psychiatrist would say. Even so, everyone knows that murder is wrong, and the law is there to remind us. All I can think is that she wanted to make them suffer, but didn't think they would die.

I'm sorry I just can't agree that Erin is or was in any way physically attractive. Not that it matters. I just find that hard to move past.

Does prettiness or material comfort have any affect on murderous intent? I'm going to say no.