Australia Mushroom Trial: Patterson Closing Arguments Live Updates
Here’s a breakdown of the key points from the provided text snippets:
overall Context:
This is live coverage of the Erin Patterson mushroom trial in Australia.
It’s Day 35 of the trial.
The defense is concluding its closing address.
The judge will instruct the jury on Tuesday, and deliberations will begin after that.Key Points from the Defense’s Closing Address (Colin Mandy SC):
Patterson’s Illness: Mandy suggests Patterson may have become unwell earlier than her guests because she tasted the mushroom duxelles while cooking. He argues that it’s logical to assume she tasted the dish after adding the dried mushrooms, even though there’s no direct evidence of this.
Patterson’s Religious Views: Mandy disputes the prosecution’s portrayal of Patterson as an atheist. He points out that evidence about her religious views came from a wider Facebook group, while those in a smaller group chat (where she discussed her in-laws) were not asked about her religious views. He argues the prosecution is selectively using evidence.
Other Details:
* The trial is taking place at the Latrobe Valley magistrates court in Morwell, Victoria.