Last push for defence as mushroom trial hits nears end
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms.
Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson.
Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived.
Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests.
He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures.
Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten.
The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe.
Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms.
The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms.
Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days.
Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury.
The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms.
Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson.
Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived.
Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests.
He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures.
Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten.
The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe.
Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms.
The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms.
Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days.
Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury.
The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms.
Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson.
Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived.
Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests.
He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures.
Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten.
The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe.
Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms.
The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms.
Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days.
Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury.
The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms.
Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson.
Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived.
Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests.
He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures.
Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten.
The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe.
Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms.
The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms.
Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days.
Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury.
The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.
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Canberra Times
a day ago
- Canberra Times
Puzzles and jumps: end game in mushroom murder trial
The barrister urged jurors to find that standard had not been met, saying if they believed it was merely possible Patterson intentionally poisoned the beef Wellingtons to kill her guests they should find her not guilty.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Last push for defence as mushroom trial hits nears end
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson. Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived. Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests. He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures. Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten. The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe. Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms. The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms. Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days. Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury. The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest. Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson. Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived. Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests. He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures. Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten. The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe. Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms. The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms. Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days. Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury. The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest. Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson. Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived. Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests. He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures. Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten. The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe. Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms. The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms. Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days. Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury. The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest. Mushroom cook Erin Patterson's barrister will make a final push to convince jurors his client did not intentionally serve beef Wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms. Colin Mandy SC is expected to finish his closing address on Thursday after two days of arguing Patterson is innocent of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Prosecutors allege Patterson, 50, intentionally poisoned her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, Gail's sister Heather and Heather's husband Ian Wilkinson. Don, Gail and Heather all died after consuming the beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023 served by Patterson at her home in regional Victoria, while Ian survived. Mr Mandy argued while Patterson told lies before and after the lunch, that did not mean she was guilty of murder and she had no motive to kill any of her guests. He accepted her lie about having cancer was stupid but said she made it up to conceal her plans to undergo weight-loss procedures. Mr Mandy denied the cancer lie was a ruse to bring the guests into her home, as she told the lie at the end of the meal once the beef Wellingtons had been eaten. The barrister told the jury his client also ate the poisoned meal but her younger age, heavier weight and decision to throw up afterwards meant her symptoms were less severe. Mr Mandy pointed to scientific research from Germany which showed people could respond differently when consuming death cap mushrooms. The defence barrister criticised prosecution claims Patterson saw posts about death cap locations in the Gippsland area and then went to those places to forage for the mushrooms. Mr Mandy told the jury there was no evidence Patterson saw the iNaturalist posts from April and May 2023 and cell tower data only suggested she might have been near Outtrim and Loch on the relevant days. Once Mr Mandy finishes his closing address, Justice Christopher Beale will give his final directions to the jury. The judge has indicated he will not begin his instructions until Monday, with the jury to start deliberating on Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Cook did not want husband dead: Defence
Lawyers acting for alleged mushroom poisoner Erin Patterson have ridiculed an argument put forward by the prosecution that she also wanted to kill her husband, labelling it 'absurd', the jury has heard. During his closing address to the jury on Wednesday, defence barrister Colin Mandy SC said there was 'no possible prospect' Ms Patterson wanted to kill her husband. His comment came after Dr Rogers suggested the sixth beef Wellington Ms Patterson had prepared was 'clearly intended' for her husband Simon Patterson. 'The prosecution case is: had Simon Patterson changed his mind and decided to attend the lunch after all, he, too, would have been served that sixth poisoned beef Wellington,' she said on Monday. Erin Patterson has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. 9News Credit: Supplied Previously the jury was told Ms Patterson had prepared six beef Wellingtons – one more than the number of people present at the lunch. In the witness box the accused woman disputed the sixth was intended for her husband, saying it was just an 'extra one' made because she had the ingredients and the steaks used came in twin packs. Dr Rogers pointed to the accused woman's evidence that if Simon had attended, she would have given him a beef Wellington too, and Ms Patterson's final message to her husband after he told her the night before the lunch he wouldn't come. 'I hope you'll change your mind. Your parents and Heather and Ian are coming at 12.30. I hope to see you there,' the message read. Simon Patterson told the jury the pair remain married. NewsWire / David Geraghty Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Mandy told the jury it was 'obvious from the tone of the message' his client did want him to come and was trying to guilt him into coming. 'The prosecution says the only reason she wanted him there was because she wanted to kill him as well. And that's, we say, an absurd theory,' he said. 'That would have had the result of removing from the children's lives their father, their grandparents, Simon's aunt and uncle. 'There's no possible prospect that Erin wanted in those circumstances to destroy her whole world, her whole life. Surely it's more likely that her account is true.' Also on Wednesday, Mr Mandy said he expected to conclude his remarks on Thursday morning. The update follows trial judge Justice Christopher Beale advising jurors earlier this week he would wait until Monday to begin his summing up of the case and charge, and that he expected this would take a couple of days. The jury would then be sent out to deliberate. Barrister Colin Mandy SC will continue his closing address on Thursday. NewsWire / Diego Fedele Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Patterson is facing trial accused of murdering three of her husband's family members, and the attempted murder of a fourth, with a poisoned beef Wellington lunch on July 29, 2023. Simon Patterson's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and aunt, Heather Wilkinson, died in the week following the lunch while Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, survived. Prosecutors allege the 50-year-old deliberately sourced the deadly fungi and included it in the lunch intending to kill or at least seriously injure the four guests. She has pleaded not guilty, with her defence arguing she did not intentionally poison the meal, labelling the case a tragic accident. The trial, now in its eighth week, continues.
