Australia - 3 dead after eating wild mushrooms, Leongatha, Victoria, Aug 2023 #9 *Arrest*

[Megnut]

Erin Patterson 'looked well', doctor says​

By Tim Callanan​

Dr Muldoon says Erin told her she'd bought mushrooms for the dish from an Asian grocery in Oakleigh or Glen Waverley and said she didn't have the packet anymore.

Dr Muldoon is asked if she made observations about Erin's health during that meeting and she says yes.

"She had some chapped lips but otherwise looked well," she says.

She confirms blood test results were all normal and remained that way the following day.

Dr Muldoon says there was no evidence of amanita mushroom poisoning and no sign of any other toxic substance being consumed.

She says she delivered leftovers from the meal, which had been recovered by police, to an expert for identification.

Chapped lips. She had chapped lips. While her guests are DYING.... Claiming to be sick when she wasn't. Wasting doctors' time.... lying about the source of the mushrooms, wow, just wow.

JMO

 

[Detechtive]

It's so irrational to think you could wipe out 4 people and no one would blink at you.. I think apart from the agatha christie levels of theatrics this irrationality is what has captivated the world. It just makes no sense.

But then again in the USA we see estranged partners and their family members get wiped out all in one go not infrequently... typically it is a man doing the killing and typically hes using a gun, but theres certainly nothing rational about that either. It doesnt feel the same somehow though... it seems a very different type of crime though I'm not sure why when it boils down to it.

Grandiosity can cause that. Also arrogance. Isolation, disconnection, too. Small town thinking. Especially if she is used to being the smartest person in the room, which it sounds like on one hand she is quite book smart. But it also shows a complete lack of social understanding, IMO.

Most people would be unaware at just how violent this death is for the individual, so they might think it would appear as a normal virus type vomiting bug. Your internal organs are becoming mush and you die because your body can't filter your blood of the toxic load - all the while violently vomiting, diahorrea, hallucinations and brief periods of well-being and hope in between. I think i'd prefer a quick gunshot to the head.

 

[Detechtive]

They sure do have a lot of breaks....

 

[Detechtive]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/trial-for-accused-mushroom-cook-killer-erin-patterson-resumes/live-coverage/6fd8204a5e2d7dbf4934b94634421ed7#/entry/31574642

 

[MsMarple]

Jury to hear evidence from leading fungi expert​

By Tim Callanan​

The court hearing has resumed, and the next witness to give evidence will be Tom May, who is a mycologist at the National Herbarium of Victoria.

He's one of the state's foremost experts in fungi.

 

[drsleuth]

33m ago

The next witness is called for testimony​

By Judd Boaz​

Dr Varuna Ruggoo, another medical practitioner working at Monash Health, is the next witness in the box.

She was an emergency physician at the emergency department in the days following the lunch, and was involved in the care of Erin Patterson on August 1.

Dr Ruggoo says Erin had received IV fluids throughout the night, as well as the drug NAC for perceived liver issues.

A liver function test found Erin's liver health to be "all within normal limits", she says.

At 10:14am, a review found her blood tests and vital signs showed no sign of liver toxicity, and that Erin was able to be discharged.

Dr Ruggoo tells the court that notes from Dr Muldoon had indicated that Erin was not suffering from amanita phalloides — death cap mushroom — poisoning.

"She wrote in her notes that there was no concern about that type of poisoning," Dr Ruggoo says.

She tells the court Erin indicated she had not vomited or experienced diarrhoea at all in the time before she was handed over to Dr Ruggoo earlier in the morning, and had eaten lunch before seeing the doctor.

Key Event
5m ago

Jury to hear evidence from leading fungi expert​

By Tim Callanan​

The court hearing has resumed, and the next witness to give evidence will be Tom May, who is a mycologist at the National Herbarium of Victoria.

He's one of the state's foremost experts in fungi.

Mushroom expert quizzed on death cap identification in Erin Patterson trial — as it happened

An internationally recognised fungi expert has given evidence in the trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of murdering three relatives with a poisoned beef Wellington meal. Look back at how the day unfolded in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

23m ago02.42 BST

Erin appeared 'clinically well' after mushroom lunch, doctor tells court​

The prosecution’s next witness is Dr Varuna Ruggoo, an emergency physician at Monash Health. She says she assessed Erin on 1 August 2023.

Ruggoo says Erin had been administered IV fluids and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for potential liver issues.

She says the review by Muldoon that morning concluded “there was no evidence of any sort of liver toxicity and that she was stable to be discharged.”

Ruggoo also reviewed Erin on 12.18pm.

She appeared clinically well. In a normal mood and affect.

She says Erin said she had not vomited or experienced diarrhoea before she was handed over to Ruggoo that morning.

18m ago02.47 BST
Ruggoo says Erin’s respiratory rate, blood pressure and body temperature were all within normal ranges.

Prosecutor Sarah Lenthall asks Dr Varuna Ruggoo if she deemed Erin well enough to be discharged.

I did.

There is no cross-examination.

2m ago22.04 EDT
Prosecution’s next witness is Dr Thomas May, a mushroom expert

May is a mycologist – a specialist in fungi, the court hears.

In 2023, he was working at the Royal Botanic Gardens as a mycologist.

He is also an honorary associate at the Victorian Poisons Information Centre.

Erin Patterson murder trial: jurors shown photo of remains of fateful beef wellington meal at centre of triple murder case

Patterson, 50, faces three charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder relating to a beef wellington lunch she served at her house in Leongatha. Follow live updates

www.theguardian.com

 

[MsMarple]

With ever mounting expert testimony contradicting Erin’s claims it really looks like her claims don’t hold water.

IOW she’s just another lying liar who lies, just like so many other cases we see here. IMO

 

[drsleuth]

20 minutes ago

Erin's liver function tests 'normal': Doctor​

Dr Varuna Ruggoo, who also treated Erin after she was admitted to Monash Medical Centre, is now giving evidence.
She said the presumed poisoning was believed to be death cap mushrooms, but there was no evidence of liver toxicity after an analysis of her blood tests and vital signs.
“She was able to be discharged from a toxicity point of view,” she said.
“Her liver function tests were within normal limits.”
Dr Ruggoo said she reviewed Erin about midday on August 1.
She said Erin told her she had not experienced any abdominal pain, diarrhoea or nausea that morning.
“She had some lunch before my review,” she said.
“She appeared clinically well.”
She told the court she deemed Erin fit for discharge about 1pm.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/trial-for-accused-mushroom-cook-killer-erin-patterson-resumes/live-coverage/6fd8204a5e2d7dbf4934b94634421ed7?amp#scroll-to-31573695

 

[Detechtive]

With ever mounting expert testimony contradicting Erin’s claims it really looks like her claims don’t hold water.

IOW she’s just another lying liar who lies, just like so many other cases we see here. IMO

Yes and the defence would be foolish to argue with such experts.

 

[Shortfusepsb]

They sure do have a lot of breaks....

I have only been on a jury once, and that was only a 5 day trial. We had a LOT of breaks. Most were for "council approaching the bench" type discussions between Magistrate and Barristers. 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there. Late starts some days, early finishes other days... Pretty inefficient. Jury's are treated very well though, I must say, from my limited experience.

 

[MsMarple]

Key Event
Just now

Fungi expert explains the amanita phalloides mushroom​

By Tim Callanan​

Dr May confirms he is an internationally recognised fungi expert.

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC is asking Dr May about his relationship with the Victorian Poisons Information Centre, and he confirms his decades-long links with the centre.

Dr May says there are many hundreds of species of amanita mushrooms, of which death cap mushrooms (amanita phalloides) is one.

He says this particular species of mushroom grows near oak trees and the "sporing bodies" of the mushroom appears at particular times of year for a few weeks.

He says death cap mushrooms originated in Europe but was accidentally introduced to Australia, but it's not clear when. It was first reported in Canberra in the 1960s and Melbourne in the 1970s.

Dr May says there is a symbiotic relationship between the amanita phalloides and oak trees.

 

[drsleuth]

They sure do have a lot of breaks....

Morning Recess
Lunch
Afternoon recess

Usually in all courts, the court reporter needs regular breaks

 

[drsleuth]

Key Event
4m ago

Fungi expert explains the amanita phalloides mushroom​

By Tim Callanan​

Dr May confirms he is an internationally recognised fungi expert.

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC is asking Dr May about his relationship with the Victorian Poisons Information Centre, and he confirms his decades-long links with the centre.

Dr May says there are many hundreds of species of amanita mushrooms, of which death cap mushrooms (amanita phalloides) is one.

He says this particular species of mushroom grows near oak trees and the "sporing bodies" of the mushroom appears at particular times of year for a few weeks.

He says death cap mushrooms originated in Europe but was accidentally introduced to Australia, but it's not clear when. It was first reported in Canberra in the 1960s and Melbourne in the 1970s.

Dr May says there is a symbiotic relationship between the amanita phalloides and oak trees.

Mushroom expert quizzed on death cap identification in Erin Patterson trial — as it happened

An internationally recognised fungi expert has given evidence in the trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of murdering three relatives with a poisoned beef Wellington meal. Look back at how the day unfolded in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

less than a minute ago

A lesson in death cap mushrooms​

Dr Tom May, a mycologist or fungi specialist, has taken to the witness box.
He told the court the scientific name for death cap mushrooms is amanita phalloides.
“Amanita is a particular group of mushrooms and phallodies is a particular species within that group,” he said.
Dr May said while not all amanitas were poisonous, most of them were.
The court heard death cap mushrooms grew from “fine threads” within the soil, which were connected to the roots of living trees, particularly oak trees.
He said death cap mushrooms were “relatively short-lived”.
“They would not last longer than a couple of weeks when they’re sitting in the field,” he said.
The court heard death cap mushrooms were exotic to Australia, having originated overseas.
Dr May said it was likely “accidentally introduced” to Australia and was first reported in Melbourne in the 1970s.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/trial-for-accused-mushroom-cook-killer-erin-patterson-resumes/live-coverage/6fd8204a5e2d7dbf4934b94634421ed7?amp#scroll-to-31573695

 

[Jess D]

Grandiosity can cause that. Also arrogance. Isolation, disconnection, too. Small town thinking. Especially if she is used to being the smartest person in the room, which it sounds like on one hand she is quite book smart. But it also shows a complete lack of social understanding, IMO.

Most people would be unaware at just how violent this death is for the individual, so they might think it would appear as a normal virus type vomiting bug. Your internal organs are becoming mush and you die because your body can't filter your blood of the toxic load - all the while violently vomiting, diahorrea, hallucinations and brief periods of well-being and hope in between. I think i'd prefer a quick gunshot to the head.

A friend of mine who works at a major hospital in Melbourne, said that their death would have been horrific.

 

[Detechtive]

A lesson in death cap mushrooms​

Dr May said while not all amanitas were poisonous, most of them were.
The court heard death cap mushrooms grew from “fine threads” within the soil, which were connected to the roots of living trees, particularly oak trees.
He said death cap mushrooms were “relatively short-lived”.
“They would not last longer than a couple of weeks when they’re sitting in the field,” he said.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/trial-for-accused-mushroom-cook-killer-erin-patterson-resumes/live-coverage/6fd8204a5e2d7dbf4934b94634421ed7#/entry/31575500

 

[MsMarple]

Death cap mushrooms can be refrigerated, expert says​

By Tim Callanan​

The court is being shown pictures of death cap mushrooms, which Dr May is being asked about.

He says when the sporing body emerges, there is a cap and a stem, as well as a skirt or gills underneath the cap. A cup sits at the base of the stem.

Dr May is now describing the colour of the parts of the death cap mushroom.

It's quite a technical description by Dr May of the mushroom.

He says the visible sporing body of the mushroom last for a couple of weeks depending on conditions and insect infestation.

Dr May says it may last a few weeks in a refrigerator.

He says commercial mushrooms tends to last longer.

 

[Jess D]

A lesson in death cap mushrooms​

Dr May said while not all amanitas were poisonous, most of them were.
The court heard death cap mushrooms grew from “fine threads” within the soil, which were connected to the roots of living trees, particularly oak trees.
He said death cap mushrooms were “relatively short-lived”.
“They would not last longer than a couple of weeks when they’re sitting in the field,” he said.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/trial-for-accused-mushroom-cook-killer-erin-patterson-resumes/live-coverage/6fd8204a5e2d7dbf4934b94634421ed7#/entry/31575500

Does anyone remember the location where she foraged for the Death Cap mushrooms? I don't think it was in Leongatha where she lived.

 

[drsleuth]

2m ago

Death cap mushrooms can be refrigerated, expert says​

By Tim Callanan​

The court is being shown pictures of death cap mushrooms, which Dr May is being asked about.

He says when the sporing body emerges, there is a cap and a stem, as well as a skirt or gills underneath the cap. A cup sits at the base of the stem.

Dr May is now describing the colour of the parts of the death cap mushroom.

It's quite a technical description by Dr May of the mushroom.

He says the visible sporing body of the mushroom last for a couple of weeks depending on conditions and insect infestation.

Dr May says it may last a few weeks in a refrigerator.

He says commercial mushrooms tends to last longer.

Mushroom expert quizzed on death cap identification in Erin Patterson trial — as it happened

An internationally recognised fungi expert has given evidence in the trial of Erin Patterson, who is accused of murdering three relatives with a poisoned beef Wellington meal. Look back at how the day unfolded in our live blog.

www.abc.net.au