ASIO disrupts 24 'major' espionage operations in three years
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The Australian
15 minutes ago
- The Australian
Husband feared Australia's mushroom killer had poisoned him before
Australia's recently convicted mushroom murderer also tried to poison her husband with bolognese pasta and chicken korma curry, according to testimony aired Friday after a suppression order lapsed. Home cook Erin Patterson was found guilty in July of murdering her husband's parents and elderly aunt in 2023, lacing their beef Wellington lunch with lethal death cap mushrooms. A series of potentially damning allegations about Patterson's behaviour in the lead-up to the meal were withheld from the jury to give the mother-of-two a fair trial. Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale on Friday rejected an application to keep these allegations secret. Patterson tried to kill her estranged husband Simon on three occasions between 2021 and 2022, police alleged in one of the major claims not heard during the trial. She was accused of serving him poisoned dishes of pasta bolognese, chicken curry and a vegetable wrap, according to freshly released evidence. Simon told a pre-trial hearing in October last year how Patterson had asked him to taste test a batch of curries she had made. "I remember Erin saying that the purpose of the taste test was so she could, I guess, customise future curry production for our respective tastes," he said in testimony suppressed until now. He later fell ill after eating a mild chicken korma served by Patterson on a camping trip in 2022. "At first I felt hot, especially in my head, and that led to feeling nauseous and then that led to me quite suddenly needing to vomit," he said. Simon eventually fell into a coma before receiving life-saving surgery to remove a section of his bowel. He later told doctor Christopher Ford that he had come to suspect Patterson might be deliberately poisoning him. He became worried when Patterson offered him a batch of homemade cookies, Ford said. "Simon was apprehensive about eating the cookies, as he felt they may be poisoned," the doctor told a pre-trial hearing last year. "He reported to me that while they were away, Erin called several times and enquired about whether he had eaten any of the cookies." When his parents fell gravely ill after eating at Patterson's house, Simon would regretfully confide those fears to his family. "He wanted to tell us that he had suspected his own illnesses had been a deliberate act," cousin Ruth Dubois told a pre-trial hearing. "He had stopped eating food that Erin had prepared, because he suspected that she might have been messing with it. "And that he was really sorry that he hadn't told our family." Prosecutors dropped those charges before the start of Patterson's trial, with tight restrictions preventing media from revealing any details. - Lethal fungus - Patterson hosted an intimate meal in July 2023 that started with good-natured banter and earnest prayer -- but ended with three guests dead. A 12-person jury found the 50-year-old guilty of murdering Simon's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as his aunt Heather Wilkinson. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder Heather's husband Ian, a well-known pastor at the local Baptist church. Simon had been invited to that lunch as well, but pulled out because he felt "uncomfortable". At the time, Patterson's relationship with Simon was starting to turn sour. The pair -- long estranged but still legally married -- had been fighting over Simon's child support contributions. Patterson's trial drew podcasters, film crews and true crime fans to the rural town of Morwell, a sedate hamlet in the state of Victoria better known for prize-winning roses. Newspapers from New York to New Delhi followed every twist of what many now simply call the "mushroom murders". Throughout a trial lasting more than two months, Patterson maintained the beef-and-pastry dish was accidentally poisoned with death cap mushrooms, the world's most-lethal fungus. Death cap mushrooms are easily mistaken for other edible varieties, and reportedly possess a sweet taste that belies their potent toxicity. Patterson will return to court on August 25 for hearings that will determine how long she spends behind bars. Her legal team has 28 days after sentencing to appeal both her criminal convictions and her sentence. sft/cwl
The Australian
15 minutes ago
- The Australian
Lawyers for Christine Herzel explore possible mental impairment defence over allegedly murdering her mother
Lawyers acting for a woman who allegedly murdered her mother at her home in Melbourne's east, are exploring the possibility of a mental impairment defence. Christine Herzel, 47, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday via video link. Ms Herzel is charged with the murder of 78-year-old Irene Herzel inside her home in Blackburn south on March 4. Police at the time said the 78-year-old was found with 'a number of stab wounds'. Lawyers acting for Ms Herzel told a Melbourne court she had been assessed by a doctor in relation to a possible mental impairment defence. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis Ms Herzel's lawyer Andrew Vincent told the court she had been assessed by a doctor with respect to a possible mental impairment defence. An adjournment of six weeks was sought to allow time to receive the doctor's report. During her first court appearance in March, the court was told Ms Herzel had a 'treatment-resistant form of schizophrenia'. Police said in a statement at the time, they were called to the home on Holroyd Court, Blackburn South, for a welfare check when they discovered Irene Herzel's body. Ms Herzel was arrested nearby a short time after her mother was located, police said. She remains in custody and is expected to return to court on September 19. Amelia Swan Journalist Amelia Swan joined News Corp as a cadet reporter in 2024. Amelia Swan
The Australian
16 minutes ago
- The Australian
Anthony Albanese set for one-day trip to New Zealand for talks with Christopher Luxon
Anthony Albanese is set to travel to New Zealand for a whirlwind annual leader's meeting with his counterpart Christopher Luxon, where the pair will discuss increased defence and security co-operation and leadership in the Pacific. The Prime Minister will depart on Saturday morning for a short international trip before returning on Sunday afternoon. While Mr Albanese is not expected to use the trip to share any major announcements, conversations with Mr Luxon will focus on strengthening defence and security co-operation, and economic ties, like the Single Economic Market policy which reduces business and economic regulations between the two countries. The leaders will also speak about issues in the Pacific and other international issues. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in an overnight trip across the ditch. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short The Israel-Gaza war will likely be discussed following Israel's Security Council approving plans for a takeover of Gaza City, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong warning that the permanent forced displacement of Gazans would amount to a violation of international law. Like Australia, New Zealand also doesn't recognise Palestinian statehood, however it also supports a two-state solution and has called for Israel to increase the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza. Speaking more broadly about Australia's bond with New Zealand ahead of the trip, Mr Albanese said the relationship was 'unmatched'. 'I am delighted to visit New Zealand to meet with Prime Minister Luxon for our annual leaders' meeting,' he said. 'I look forward to discussing how we can work together to build on our Single Economic Market, modernise the rules-based trading system, deepen our alliance, and back our Pacific partners.' Read related topics: Anthony Albanese Jessica Wang NewsWire Federal Politics Reporter Jessica Wang is a federal politics reporter for NewsWire based in the Canberra Press Gallery. She previously covered NSW state politics for the Wire and has also worked at and Mamamia covering breaking news, entertainment, and lifestyle. @imjesswang_ Jessica Wang
