The high-profile Leongatha Mushroom Trial has reached a pivotal moment as the jury at Latrobe Valley Law Courtsbegins deliberations over Erin Patterson’s fate.

Following a dramatic 10-week trial centered on the 2023 Leongatha lunch that led to multiple murder charges, the sequestered jury must now decide if Patterson intentionally caused harm to her guests.

Tune in as we break down the key moments from court, discuss Justice Beale’s instructions, and explore what’s at stake in this closely watched case.

• Ms Patterson, 50, pleads not guilty to murdering her former parents-in-law and her ex-mother-in-law's sister
• She also faces charges for attempting to murder Ian Wilkinson, a Baptist pastor
• Jury is sequestered in a nearby hotel while deliberating
• ABC is developing a TV drama called "Toxic" about the case
• Australian streamer Stan is producing a documentary series "Death Cap"
• Updates on the verdict will be sent through the newsletter

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Mushroom Murder Trial Website

The jury in Erin Patterson's mushroom murder trial has begun deliberations after a 10-week trial at Latrobe Valley Law Courts. Facing three murder charges and one attempted murder charge from a 2023 lunch at her Leongatha home, Patterson's fate now rests with a sequestered jury considering whether she deliberately intended to kill or harm her guests.

• Jury officially began deliberations at 1pm yesterday after Justice Beale's comprehensive instructions
• Prosecution doesn't need to prove motive for a guilty verdict, but must establish intent
• Jury being sequestered during deliberations with restricted outside contact
• Patterson's Leongatha property recently covered with black plastic sheeting by supporters
• Verdict timeline remains unknown—could come any moment or take weeks

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Pastor Ian Wilkinson shares his firsthand account of the deadly mushroom lunch at Erin Patterson's home that claimed the lives of his wife and two others, while he miraculously survived.

In this episode of the Erin Patterson murder trial:

• Long-time pastor of Korumburra Baptist Church for 26 years
• Describes his relationship with Erin Patterson as "friendly, amicable" but more like acquaintances
• Received an unexpected lunch invitation from Erin through his wife Heather
• Initially thought they were the only ones invited but learned Gail and Don Patterson were also coming
• Simon (Erin Patterson’s estranged husband) was invited but didn't attend
• Noticed Erin's reluctance when Heather and Gail wanted to see her pantry
• Observed Erin rejecting offers of help while plating the food herself
• Details how Erin used a different coloured plate (orangey-tan) while guests ate from matching grey plates
• Describes the beef wellington as "like a pasty" containing steak and mushrooms
• Confirms everyone had the same food items on their plates, though couldn't recall how much Erin ate

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📝 Show Notes — The Mushroom Murder Trial Podcast
Episode: Week Nine – Jury to Be Locked In, Phones Missing, and the Dehydrator Dumped
Host: Lisa

This week we reach a critical juncture in the Erin Patterson trial, now into its ninth week inside the Supreme Court in Morwell, Victoria.

🔍 In this episode:

• Justice Christopher Beale continues his final instructions to the jury.
• The jury will be sequestered during its deliberations, an unusual move in Australia — signalling just how high-profile this case is.
• A key prosecution claim about leftovers fed to Erin’s children is thrown out by the judge, who warns the jury not to speculate without expert evidence.
• The court revisits the dehydrator — allegedly used in a blind mushroom taste test, later dumped by Erin before a child protection visit. Was it panic? Or allegedly part of a cover-up?
• Erin’s digital trail is under scrutiny, with allegations she used multiple phones, factory reset one four times, and never handed over her “main” device. But the defence says there’s no proof she expected a search.
• The judge warns the jury about the complexity of the prosecution’s case, urging them not to overlook the simple explanations.

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Use the Contact Us tab on the website and I’ll send one as a thank you.

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Until next time — stay tuned.

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Justice Christopher Beale has delivered his initial phase of instructions to the jury in the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial, emphasising they alone must determine if the prosecution has proven her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The case centres on whether Ms Patterson deliberately laced a beef wellington with death cap mushrooms, killing her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, while severely poisoning Heather's husband Ian.

• Trial now in its ninth week with intense media scrutiny
• Ms Patterson pled not guilty to all charges and testified for eight days
• Justice Beale warned jurors to base verdict solely on evidence presented
• Key issue is whether Ms Patterson bears criminal responsibility, not whether the meal caused deaths
• Jury expected to retire later this week to deliberate
• Case has attracted "unprecedented media attention" according to Justice Beale

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The Mushroom Murder Trial Podcast provides updates on the Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial as it potentially enters its final week, with the judge set to give jury instructions on Tuesday. This episode features a detailed reading of Friday's court transcript, including critical cross-examination about Signal messages between Patterson and her former in-laws.

• Court proceedings could conclude this week depending on how long jury deliberations take
• Erin Patterson faced questioning about messages to her ex-husband's parents regarding school fees
• Prosecution suggested Patterson was angry when her in-laws declined to get involved in fee dispute
• Conflicting testimony emerged about whether Patterson consulted her ex-husband before changing their children's schools
• The case is formally titled "The King versus Erin Patterson" following the monarchy change

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As the high-profile Beef Wellington poisoning case nears its conclusion, we recap the dramatic final hearings of Erin Patterson’s trial.

Defence barrister Colin Mandy SCdelivers a powerful closing argument, directly challenging the prosecution’s narrative in front of Justice Christopher Beale.

With the jury set to deliberate following Justice Beale’s final directions, we break down the key moments, including the Crown’s claims of 'convoluted and absurd' arguments and the defence’s take on Patterson’s shifting story.

Don’t miss this in-depth analysis of one of the most gripping trials in recent memory.

We've nearly made it to the final day of Erin Patterson's triple murder and attempted murder trial, where the defence barrister Colin Mandy SC delivered his closing arguments challenging the prosecution's case. The jury will soon commence deliberations after Justice Christopher Beale gives his final directions on Tuesday.

• The Crown described prosecution arguments as "convoluted and absurd"
• Defence suggested Ms Patterson only began fabricating parts of her account after her estranged husband allegedly accused her of poisoning his parents
• Medical evidence showed Ms Patterson herself became sick from the beef Wellington with symptoms that "could have been in no way faked"
• Defence argued Ms Patterson's testimony remained coherent and consistent throughout extensive cross-examination
• Jury was reminded they must acquit if they find it reasonably possible the poisoning was an accident

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How Erin Patterson's Family Relationships Shape the Mushroom Trial: The Story of Gail Patterson and more.

The defence in Erin Patterson's triple murder trial is building a narrative of a loving mother who had close relationships with her alleged victims. Colin Mandy SC presents evidence of Erin's deep connection with in-laws and lunch victims Don and Gail Patterson, portraying them as supportive in-laws who "treated her like a daughter."

How Erin Patterson's Family Relationships Shape the Mushroom Trial: The Story of Gail Patterson and More

• Defence characterises Erin as a devoted mother of two with good character
• Evidence suggests Erin moved from Western Australia to Victoria to be closer to Don and Gail
• Simon Patterson testified that Erin and his parents had "loving and respectful relationships"
• Special bond highlighted between Erin and Don, sharing interests in knowledge, books and science
• Defence emphasises continuing relationship between Erin and in-laws even after separation from Simon
• Jury deliberations expected to begin Wednesday next week

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