Inside the courtroom today, Erin Patterson sat still and composed, dressed in a black and white polka dot top, as Justice Christopher Beale continued his final instructions to the jury.
It's now the third day of the judge’s charge, with jurors reminded of some of the prosecution’s key allegations, including what it claims were lies Patterson told about the origins of the dried mushrooms used in the fatal meal.
The court heard she initially said she bought them from an Asian grocer in one suburb, but later named different stores in multiple locations. Health officials testified she was “never precise”, prompting a public safety investigation, though no contaminated mushrooms were found.
Justice Beale also revisited forensic evidence, reminding jurors that while only white button mushrooms were found in leftover food, death cap mushroom DNA was detected in a dehydrator Patterson had disposed of.
The prosecution argued her shifting story about the mushrooms and the packaging they came in undermines her credibility.
“She could recall remarkable detail in other parts of her testimony,” the Crown argued, “but couldn’t remember the store name, or even the suburb.”
Justice Beale told the jury the Crown believes “the story about the Asian grocery just couldn’t be true”.
The defence, however, says Patterson wasn’t being dishonest, just confused. They say she spoke to more than 20 people in a 24-hour window and that inconsistencies are understandable. Her lawyer, Colin Mandy SC, accused the Crown of “cherry-picking” details and argued that DNA from a second, non-lethal mushroom species was also detected.
What's next?
Justice Beale confirmed he will finish delivering his final instructions on Monday. After that, the jury will begin deliberations.
They’ll also be sequestered meaning jurors will stay in accommodation each night until a verdict is reached.
The case will return for its 10th week on Monday.
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