26m agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 3:32am
A quick recap of closing arguments
The prosecution and defence both wrapped up their closing arguments in Erin Patterson’s triple-murder trial last week.
The 50-year-old has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one of attempted murder.
The ABC’s Iskhandar Razak earlier filed this report summarising the arguments presented by both sides during their closing addresses.
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1h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 2:52am
While we wait, the Mushroom Case Daily is answering your questions
The jury has not yet entered courtroom 4 so unfortunately we aren’t able to bring you any updates on Justice Beale’s directions.
We will bring you all the latest as soon as we can.
In the meantime, if you have a question about the trial you can get in touch with the Mushroom Case Daily podcast.
The ABC’s Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell are getting a load of emails to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au and they’re doing their best to answer all the questions you may have.
1h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 2:22am
🎧: Mushroom Case Daily podcast
If you prefer to listen to your news, you can catch up on the latest court proceedings with the Mushroom Case Daily podcast.
The ABC’s Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell are giving you an in-depth look into the Erin Patterson murder trial in Morwell.
Click the link below to listen to the latest episode:
2h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 1:49am
Need a refresher?
We are in week nine! It’s been a massive 37 days of hearing evidence and legal discussions but the trial is nearing its end.
While we wait for today’s proceedings to get underway, you can refresh you memory on all the key people, timeline and evidence in the trial here:
2h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 1:28amSome other directions given to the jury yesterday
During yesterday’s proceedings Justice Beale told the jury they are to be the judge of facts and should not allow sympathy to affect their verdict.
They were also told to disregard any outside information or opinion they may have overheard from family, friends or associates, particularly given the high interest in this case.
Justice Beale pointed out some inconsistencies in some of the witnesses testimonies including Ms Patterson’s estranged, husband Simon Patterson, and the sole surviving guest of the lunch, Ian Wilkinson.
He told the jury they must assess how credible the evidence from each witness is.
He also pointed out some inconsistences that related to a number of topics including whether or not Ms Patterson’s children were invited to attend the lunch in question, the source of the mushrooms in the beef Wellington and when Ms Patterson started experiencing diarrhoea.
He highlighted these inconsistencies through transcripts and told jury members it was up to them to determine which account, if any, is accurate.
In regards to Erin Patterson’s evidence, the jury were told that if they believe her testimony, they must find her not guilty.
2h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 1:09amDirection on expert evidence to continue
As proceedings wrapped up for the day yesterday, Justice Beale was speaking to the jury about expert witnesses.
He mentioned two who gave evidence in Erin Patterson’s triple-murder trial — Dr Matthew Sorell and Shamen Fox-Henry.
Justice Beale highlighted some of Dr Sorell’s evidence surrounding mobile phone data and phone towers.
He told the jury there were “significant limitations” in some of the evidence and that it should not be considered in isolation.
This morning, we expect Justice Beale will continue to give direction on this topic but in relation to the evidence given by Mr Fox-Henry who is a digital forensics officer with Victoria Police.
3h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 12:47amDelays to start today
The jury won’t be in for a little while this morning.
There are some discussions taking place in their absence but we’ll bring you all the latest shortly.
3h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 12:25am
Missed yesterday’s events?
If you didn’t get a chance to check in on what Justice Beale told the jury yesterday – or if you want a refresher – the ABC’s Kate Higgins and Mikaela Ortolan put together this article for you:
3h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 12:14am
When will the jury start deliberations?
Justice Beale previously told the court his instructions would be lengthy.
He began first thing yesterday morning (after the court had a long weekend).
While wrapping up yesterday afternoon, he told the jury they would not be sent out to deliberate today.
When that happens, the jury will be put into special accommodation until they reach a verdict.
“You don’t need to bring your toothbrush tomorrow,” Justice Beale told the jury yesterday.
So at this stage, the earliest the jury will start its discussions is tomorrow.
3h agoWed 25 Jun 2025 at 12:13amWelcome to today’s coverage
Good morning and thanks for joining us for another day of Erin Patterson’s trial in the Supreme Court, sitting in Morwell.
Justice Christopher Beale is due to continue giving his final directions to the jury today.
This is the final stage before the jury is sent out to deliberate on its verdicts on three counts of murder and one of attempted murder.