The Case Of

After more than 10 weeks, the jury in Erin Patterson's murder trial has reached their verdict on the three charges of murder and one charge 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...

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 live...

In a closed room in the Latrobe Valley Law Courts, 12 people are deciding if Erin Patterson is guilty or not guilty of murder and attempted murder.  In this episode Rachael Brown and Stephen Stockwell answer your questions about the jury; how much they’re paid, the way they’ll approach deliberations, what support is available and how we’ll be told they have reached a verdict.    If you’ve got ques...

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...

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 answ...

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 a...

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 hap...

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...

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...

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 an...

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...

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...

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 ans...

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...

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 l...

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 mushr...

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 R...

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...

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 Stoc...

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 th...

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 tod...

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...

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 suggesti...

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 episode...

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 lun...