Mushroom killer trial to make headlines
National
The world's eyes are about to turn to the regional Victorian town of Morwell as accused Mushroom killer Erin Patterson's murder trial begins.
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The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Victims at risk as cops waver on warning about abusers
Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Failing to alert victims about the release of their abusers from jail is putting lives at risk, a domestic violence advocate warns. A state coroner recommended victims be given at least 48 hours' notice before violent partners are released from custody. It follows an inquest into the 2020 death of Noeline Dalzell, who was fatally stabbed by her abusive ex-partner in front of their three children. The proposal has drawn criticism from Victoria's police union, which says officers should be focused on responding to family violence incidents, not delivering release notifications from behind a desk. Swinburne sexual violence expert Rachael Burgin said the recommendation reflected the bare minimum of police responsibility, saying "the most fundamental job of police is to protect and serve". She said timely information was crucial for victims, so they can plan for their safety and access support from family violence services. "We cannot continue to see women and children's safety be at risk because of challenges like resourcing," Dr Burgin told AAP. "I would expect police in their role to protect and serve the community, would be taking this very seriously." State Coroner John Cain in November found police missed opportunities to protect Ms Dalzell before she was murdered by James Fairhall. Fairhall was released from custody three months earlier for breaching a family violence intervention order designed to protect Ms Dalzell. He is now serving a 25-year sentence for her murder. Among 11 recommendations, Judge Cain echoed calls from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence for an improved information-sharing system between agencies. He also called on police to carry out an independent review of its family violence units, saying investigators' actions fell short of best practice. Victims are only notified about their abusers' movements if they opt-in to an alert system through the Victorian Victims Register. The Police Association of Victoria said notifications should sit solely with the Department of Justice and Community Safety. "We don't have enough police to respond to victims of violence when they call us in the first place, let alone committing to further processes that would further diminish our emergency response and preventative abilities, by sending officers out in person to deliver these messages," the union told AAP on Thursday. Victoria Police echoed those sentiments in a letter to the coroner. "We believe it wouldn't be appropriate for Victoria Police to have sole responsibility for notifications in every family violence related case within the Victorian court system," the statement said. The force's stance highlights systemic failure when addressing victim safety, opposition police spokesman David Southwick says. "Victoria Police saying it doesn't have the resources to warn women when violent perpetrators get out of jail shows a failure in the system and a failure of government," Mr Southwick said. A state government spokesperson said it was "completely unacceptable" women were still placed in danger after perpetrators were released from of custody. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
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@ - It's the case that's captured the attention of the world. Three people died and a fourth survived an induced coma after eating beef wellington at a family lunch, hosted by Erin Patterson. Police allege the beef wellington contained poisonous mushrooms, but Erin Patterson says she's innocent. Now, the accused triple murderer is fighting the charges in a regional Victorian courthouse. Investigative reporter Rachael Brown and producer Stephen Stockwell are on the ground, bringing you all the key moments from the trial as they unravel in court. From court recaps to behind-the-scenes murder trial explainers, the Mushroom Case Daily podcast is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom. Keep up to date with new episodes of Mushroom Case Daily, now releasing every day on the ABC listen app.
ABC News
8 hours ago
- ABC News
Erin Patterson finishes marathon eight days in witness box
The cross-examination of alleged mushroom cook Erin Patterson has wrapped up in the Supreme Court. She continues to deny murdering three of her relatives in July 2023 using death cap mushrooms in a beef wellington meal.
