Jury urged to reject ‘ridiculous’ and ‘convoluted’ propositions in Erin Patterson mushroom trial as defence completes closing address
GuardianJUN 16
Australia: Erin Patterson Convicted of Mushroom Murders
Above: Erin Patterson arrives at her home in Leongatha, Victoria, on Aug. 8, 2023. Image copyright: Jason Edwards/Newspix/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This was a premeditated murder plot disguised as a family lunch. Patterson deliberately lured her victims with a fake cancer diagnosis, carefully prepared individual poisoned portions while keeping herself safe, and then engaged in an elaborate cover-up, including destroying evidence and repeatedly lying to police and health officials.
Narrative B
The prosecution's case relied entirely on circumstantial evidence without establishing any clear motive for such heinous crimes. Patterson's lies and evidence disposal can be explained by panic after realizing she may have accidentally poisoned her guests, and her illness symptoms support the tragic accident theory.