Mushroom Case Daily

Rachael, Kristian and Stocky tell you what they really think

We will never know exactly how the jury reached its guilty verdicts, but we can tell you why we think they did. Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell are re-joined by court reporter Kristian Silva for this post-verdict analysis episode. Today, we outline the most damning evidence against Erin Patterson, the gaps and questions never dealt with in court, and we dig into our listeners' 'Legally Blonde' moments. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in fut...

Exhibits revealed: the evidence that swayed the jury

As Erin Patterson has spent her first night in prison a convicted murderer, the prosecution's exhibits from the trial have been released to the public. In this episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell reveal the panicked triple-0 call from a doctor in Leongatha, and bring you reactions from the police and the community in Korumburra. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's ...

Guilty: The Jury returns its verdict

After more than 10 weeks, the jury in Erin Patterson's murder trial has found her guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Rachael Brown was in the room as the verdict was handed down. She tells Stephen Stockwell how this dramatic moment unfolded, and shares a statement provided to Mushroom Case Daily from Erin Patterson's close friend and supporter. If you've got questions about the verdict that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them thr...

Behind the curtain: Our life in Morwell

When we landed in Morwell 10 weeks ago to make this podcast, we had no idea what was ahead — both inside the courtroom and outside. Turns out a lot of you are curious about the experience of making this podcast, why we are so emotionally invested, and our observations of the community we've been embedded in. In this episode, Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell give listeners a peek into their lives in Morwell, and a behind the scenes of making the pod. If you've got questions about the case that...

PRESENTS — Expanse: Nowhere Man

Season five of Expanse is a rollicking tale from the Great Sandy Desert. It's 1999, and a young American man is missing in the Australian outback. Police soon realise there's something very strange about this case — the man appears to have plunged into the desert on purpose, and seemingly doesn't want to be found. In season five of ABC's Expanse podcast, host Erin Parke investigates the strange saga, which spans three decades, two continents and a colourful cast of characters. At a time when so ...

The room where it happens: Jury questions answered

The jury retires to consider its verdict

After nine weeks, the jury has retired to consider its verdict: whether Erin Patterson is guilty or not guilty of murder and attempted murder. In this episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through the final instructions given to the jury, explain how they'll return their verdict and what happens while we wait. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's the case that's ...

Judging Erin's lies: Our Friday Wrap

As the jury departed for their last weekend at home before deliberations, Justice Christopher Beale gave specific instructions on how they should consider the lies Erin Patterson has told. In our Friday Wrap, Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell explain Justice Christopher Beale's directions to the jury — highlighting specific lies and alleged incriminating conduct — explain the next steps and answer your questions. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answ...

The argument the jury was told to ignore

As his charge to the jury ran through its third day, Justice Christopher Beale told the jury to specifically rule out one of the prosecution's arguments, relating to the leftovers she fed her children In this episode, Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through the points Justice Beale highlighted as he ran through a list of alleged incriminating conduct following the lunch in July 2023 and answer some of your questions. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Sto...

Lies, phone resets, dumped evidence: the two explanations

The jury in Erin Patterson's triple murder trial was reminded of her behaviour after the lunch: what the prosecution alleges is incriminating conduct and the defence says was panic. In today's episode, Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell explain why Justice Beale said the jury — not the experts — decide what the facts are, and they reflect on how the behind-the-scenes legal arguments are still happening, even though the trial is almost over. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like...

How to judge Erin: Justice Beale weighs in

Today Justice Christopher Beale instructed the jury on how to decide whether Erin Patterson is guilty or not guilty. He laid out the principles of law, summarised the key evidence, and even provided the jurors with what's sure to be a very helpful chronology of all the evidence they've heard. The Judge also explained what to make of Erin Patterson taking the stand, how to assess evidence from her children, and what to make of good character evidence. If you've got questions about the case that y...

Kill them all, or reconnect? Our Friday Wrap

The sides in Erin Patterson's triple murder trial delivered their closing addresses this week, with one calling the lunch a sinister deception and the other a friendly family gathering. In this episode, Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through the key arguments from each side, share some reflections on the week and explain the next stages. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net...

Maybe? Likely? Probably? Defence's final bid to the jury

In a final bid to the jury, Erin Patterson's defence barrister argued his client gave honest evidence and did not try to charm or persuade. Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through Colin Mandy SC's key points as he wrapped up his closing address, and why he claims the jury should find Erin Patterson not guilty. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's the case that's ca...

"Not on trial for being a liar" - defence closing continues

Erin Patterson's defence team has told the jury not to confuse Erin Patterson's lies with the question of whether she is guilty of murder. In the second day of Colin Mandy SC's closing address, he offered explanations for why Erin started to feel sick earlier than her lunch guests, and warned the jury not to use "hindsight reasoning" against Erin. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net...

Defence zeros in on lack of motive

Prosecutor Dr Nannette Rogers SC finished her closing address, telling the jury there was a final alleged deception by Erin Patterson: how she allegedly deceived the jury from the witness box. The defence then stepped up, with Colin Mandy SC presenting a type of anti-motive and arguing that Erin Patterson had plenty of reasons to not kill her lunch guests. If you’ve got questions about the case that you’d like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedail...

"A sinister deception": Prosecution's closing address begins

The prosecution has begun its closing address to the jury, outlining four key deceptions it says underpin Erin Patterson's guilt. Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell recap these four alleged deceptions, and how the prosecution attacked Erin's evidence in the witness box, saying she made a "ridiculous and obvious lie". If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's the case that's cap...

The biggest moments of Erin's Evidence: Our Friday Wrap

After eight days and hundreds of questions Erin Patterson has left the witness box, taking the jury a step closer to their deliberations In today's episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through the big moments of Erin's testimony, their reflections at the end of the evidence and share a surprising moment from the Latrobe Valley Law Courts. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc....

Erin Patterson's final words to the jury

The defence rested its case today after arguing a final point about the Enrich clinic where Erin Patterson claimed she was pursuing weight loss surgery in 2023. In today's episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell take you through the last of the prosecution's challenges and the defence's clarifications, before the jury was given an early mark. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net....

Late-breaking evidence on Erin's gastric bypass claims

The prosecution has put forward fresh evidence which challenges Erin Patterson's claims she sought assessment for gastric bypass at a Melbourne clinic, Enrich. Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell walk through the new evidence, as well as several other points in Dr Rogers' cross examination today, including Erin's Asian grocer claims and her alleged visits to Loch and Outtrim, where death cap mushrooms were documented to be growing on the iNaturalist site. If you've got questions about the case t...

Body image, body fluids and body functions: Erin's evidence challenged

Cross examination continued for a third day today, with prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers interrogating Erin Patterson's claims about weight loss surgery and her body functions in the days after the lunch. Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell step through the day's evidence, which ended with a terse exchange between the accused and the prosecutor. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - ...

Explaining Erin's evidence: Our Friday wrap

Erin Patterson has spent almost all week in the witness box, facing questions today about whether her relationship with the lunch guests was as positive as she claims. In this episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell take you through the day's evidence and recap the week of Erin Patterson's testimony. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's the case that's captured the atte...

The cross examination of Erin Patterson begins

Erin Patterson faced almost an entire day of cross examination from prosecutor Dr Nanette Rogers. In today's episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through how the prosecution challenged Erin Patterson on her cancer claims, her lies about foraging and the meaning of the emojis she shared with her friends on Facebook. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's the case t...

The lies of Erin Patterson explained – in her own words

Erin Patterson explained why she cooked individual beef Wellington’s, lied about having cancer and dumped her dehydrator, as she was taken through the July 2023 lunch in detail today. At the end of Erin’s third day in the witness box, investigative reporter Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through what the accused triple murderer told the court. If you’ve got questions about the case that you’d like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@a...

Erin accepts that death caps were in the lunch

Today, during her second day in the witness box, Erin Patterson accepted that the mushroom meal must have contained death caps. The accused triple murderer also told the jury she foraged for mushrooms for several years leading up to the lunch, spoke about how traumatic hospital experiences in the past had shaken her trust in the health system, and gave details about her financial situation. In today's episode investigative reporter Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell talk through Erin's evidence...

Erin Patterson takes the stand

Accused triple murderer, Erin Patterson, has given evidence for the first time in her own trial. In today's episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell take you through everything Erin told the jury, including a history of her relationship and marriage to Simon. Erin spoke about converting to Christianity, building her dream home, the traumatic birth of their first child and her relationship with Simon's parents, Don and Gail. Earlier in the day, there were details given about the plates in Erin...

Key moments in the case so far: Our Friday wrap

As the fifth week of trial comes to a close, what is Erin Patterson's defence team most focused on challenging in the prosecution's case against her? Kristian Silva, Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell recap the key points of contention so far, and wrap up the week's most recent evidence. We also farewell Kristian as he steps away to become a dad, taking him through some of your baby name suggestions. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future e...

Erin's defence team gets to work

Defence Barrister Colin Mandy has suggested police failed to seize devices from Erin Patterson's home, during the search where she was left alone with one of her phones. In today's episode, Kristian Silva and Stephen Stockwell break down the day's evidence, and reveal some exciting personal news. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Kristian and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's the case that's captured the attention o...

Sim card allegedly swapped while police searched Erin’s home

The prosecution alleged today that Erin Patterson handed over a secondary phone when police searched her home after changing sim cards mid-search. The officer in charge of the investigation said they never found her primary phone, described as "Phone A". In today's episode Kristian Silva and Stephen Stockwell talk through the multiple phone and sim card swaps, Erin's shopping list prior to the lunch and the websites she supposedly visited. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like K...

Erin Patterson's police interview revealed

Erin Patterson's police interview a week after the 2023 beef Wellington lunch was played to the jury today. Kristian Silva and Stephen Stockwell step through the key moments of the interview, as well as the events leading up to it that day, including a police search of Erin's home and what they found in the kitchen. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Kristian and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushroomcasedaily@abc.net.au - It's the case that's capt...

Tracking down the mushroom source

The health department official, whose job it is to respond to health risks, read the court her messages to Erin Patterson as she tried to trace the source of the mushrooms used in the deadly lunch. Kristian Silva and Stephen Stockwell also discuss the results of the lunch guests' autopsies and the defence's challenges to digital forensics officer, Shamen Fox Henry. If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Kristian and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to mushro...