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Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Estranged husband emotional on stand in mushroom murder trial
Erin Patterson's estranged husband has cried while recalling his dad discoloured, unable to speak and "really struggling" in hospital after being poisoned. Simon Patterson became emotional and asked for tissues as he gave evidence in the Latrobe Valley Law Court in Morwell on Thursday. "Dad was substantially worse than mum," he told a jury, between tears, about seeing Don Patterson in hospital the day after the poisoned mushroom meal. Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon comes face-to-face with his ex for the first time since she was accused of murdering his parents after deadly mushroom lunch — Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 1, 2025 "He was lying on the side ... really discoloured face, speaking was an effort. "He wasn't right inside. He was in pain." He glanced at his former wife, from whom he separated in 2015, twice across the morning, as she stared directly at him dressed in a pink shirt from the court dock. Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one of attempted murder over a 2023 lunch at her home in Leongatha. She served up a beef Wellington with death cap mushrooms inside to her estranged husband's four relatives, but claims she did not know the dish was poisoned and that she also became sick herself. Simon's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt Heather Wilkinson all died in hospital after the lunch. His uncle Ian Wilkinson became sick but recovered. Simon had been invited to the lunch, on July 29, 2023, but declined via SMS the day before as he felt "too uncomfortable" about going, the jury of 15 was told. "That's really disappointing, I've spent many hours this week preparing lunch for tomorrow," Erin Patterson replied within five minutes. "And spent a small fortune on beef eye fillet to make beef Wellingtons because I wanted it to be a special meal, as I may not be able to host a lunch like this again for some time. "It's important to me that you're all there tomorrow." Simon did not reply and did not attend the lunch. He instead offered to collect their two children from the Leongatha cinema later in the afternoon, as Patterson wanted them out of the house to discuss a "serious matter" about her health, he said. She would go on to tell his in-laws that she had ovarian cancer, and ask for advice on how to break it to her children, however her defence team has admitted she had never been diagnosed with cancer. After the lunch, Simon said his father had called him, about 8.45am on July 30, and told him he and his mum had been suffering vomiting and diarrhoea and were arranging to be taken to hospital. He went to the Wilkinsons' home where he found Ian looking sick, "grey and struggling" while Heather was inside looking "pretty crook" on the couch. "She had a container as a spew bucket," he said, about Heather. "She looked a bit puzzled and said 'I noticed Erin served her food on a coloured plate, which was different to the rest'." Simon drove them to Leongatha Hospital as an ambulance said it would take an hour to arrive, and then went to visit his parents who were at Korumburra. Later that afternoon, Simon said he spoke to Erin on the phone and told her his family were "all crook and they'd all been admitted to hospital". Erin told him she'd been suffering from diarrhoea herself since the previous afternoon, and she was worried about driving a 30-minute round trip to drop her son's friend home the night before, he said. "She was worried that she'd poo her pants," he said. The trial before Justice Christopher Beale continues.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Husband takes stand in death cap mushroom trial
The estranged husband of alleged death cap mushroom cook Erin Patterson has taken the stand as the first witness in her triple-murder trial. The 50-year-old mother, who has pleaded not guilty to three murder charges and one of attempted murder, faced court in Morwell on Thursday, about 150km southeast of Melbourne, as the first witness was called. Patterson had invited her husband Simon, from whom she separated in 2015, to the deadly beef Wellington lunch in July 2023 but he declined her invitation. Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon comes face-to-face with his ex for the first time since she was accused of murdering his parents after deadly mushroom lunch — Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 1, 2025 His parents Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle Heather and Ian Wilkinson all went to the lunch at Patterson's Leongatha home. Three of them died in the days after while the fourth, Ian Wilkinson, became very sick but survived. Prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC told the jury on Wednesday that Simon Patterson had texted to say he felt "too uncomfortable" to attend the lunch the day before. She said after their separation the pair remained amicable as they shared custody of their two children and would go on family holidays together. "Despite their separation in 2015, Simon remained hopeful for some time that he and the accused would some day reunite," she told the jury of 15. "They continued to communicate with one another and other members of the Patterson family via the Signal messaging application." But she said Simon noticed a "sustained change" in his relationship with Patterson in 2022 after he listed himself as separated on his tax return. Simon offered to amend his tax return but Patterson said she would need to see child support from him instead, which he accepted, Dr Rogers said. "However, their communication from that point started to decline," she said. "Issues arose concerning the payment of child support, including whether Simon should make additional payments outside of child support for expenses such as school fees." Prosecutors claimed on Wednesday that Patterson told a series of lies before and after the fatal lunch on July 29, 2023. These included false claims she had cancer, and lies to police about disposing of a dehydrator and that she did not go foraging for mushrooms. Prosecutors also alleged she feigned illness after eating her portion of the lunch. Defence barrister Colin Mandy SC said Patterson accepted some of the claims she lied, but denied not telling the truth about becoming sick after the lunch. He claimed she told some lies because she had "panicked" after her guests became ill from her cooking, amid intense police and media scrutiny. Patterson had no intention to kill or cause "any harm" to any of her guests, he said. She invited the group to lunch at her home following Sunday service at Korumburra Baptist Church on July 16. She served beef Wellington to her guests, which consisted of steak covered in a paste containing death cap mushrooms, wrapped in pastry. Dr Rogers said Patterson served the meals to her guests on different plates to her own. The trial before Justice Christopher Beale continues.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Estranged husband takes stand in mushroom murder trial
The estranged husband of alleged death cap mushroom cook Erin Patterson has taken the stand as the first witness in her triple-murder trial. The 50-year-old mother, who has pleaded not guilty to three murder charges and one of attempted murder, faced court in Morwell on Thursday, about 150km southeast of Melbourne, as the first witness was called. Patterson had invited her husband Simon, from whom she separated in 2015, to the deadly beef Wellington lunch in July 2023 but he declined her invitation. Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon comes face-to-face with his ex for the first time since she was accused of murdering his parents after deadly mushroom lunch — Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 1, 2025 His parents Don and Gail Patterson, and his aunt and uncle Heather and Ian Wilkinson all went to the lunch at Patterson's Leongatha home. Three of them died in the days after while the fourth, Ian Wilkinson, became very sick but survived. Prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC told the jury on Wednesday that Simon Patterson had texted to say he felt "too uncomfortable" to attend the lunch the day before. She said after their separation the pair remained amicable as they shared custody of their two children and would go on family holidays together. "Despite their separation in 2015, Simon remained hopeful for some time that he and the accused would some day reunite," she told the jury of 15. "They continued to communicate with one another and other members of the Patterson family via the Signal messaging application." But she said Simon noticed a "sustained change" in his relationship with Patterson in 2022 after he listed himself as separated on his tax return. Simon offered to amend his tax return but Patterson said she would need to see child support from him instead, which he accepted, Dr Rogers said. "However, their communication from that point started to decline," she said. "Issues arose concerning the payment of child support, including whether Simon should make additional payments outside of child support for expenses such as school fees." Prosecutors claimed on Wednesday that Patterson told a series of lies before and after the fatal lunch on July 29, 2023. These included false claims she had cancer, and lies to police about disposing of a dehydrator and that she did not go foraging for mushrooms. Prosecutors also alleged she feigned illness after eating her portion of the lunch. Defence barrister Colin Mandy SC said Patterson accepted some of the claims she lied, but denied not telling the truth about becoming sick after the lunch. He claimed she told some lies because she had "panicked" after her guests became ill from her cooking, amid intense police and media scrutiny. Patterson had no intention to kill or cause "any harm" to any of her guests, he said. She invited the group to lunch at her home following Sunday service at Korumburra Baptist Church on July 16. She served beef Wellington to her guests, which consisted of steak covered in a paste containing death cap mushrooms, wrapped in pastry. Dr Rogers said Patterson served the meals to her guests on different plates to her own. The trial before Justice Christopher Beale continues.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Watch: CNN news anchor pauses live interview to ask producer to call her mother during Istanbul earthquake
A series of earthquakes, including a 6.2 magnitude tremor, hit Turkey's Istanbul on Wednesday as a CNN Turk news anchor, who was interviewing a guest, asked the producer during the live broadcast to call her mother as the studio shook due to the powerful quake. The 6.2 magnitude earthquake tremor on Wednesday hit at around 12:49 local time (09:49 GMT) in Turkey's largest city which prompted widespread evacuations as quakes hit the country in quick succession. The largest earthquake hit at a depth of 6.92 km (4.3 miles), emergency services of Turkey said. The 6.2 magnitude earthquake was the strongest to hit the metropolis in recent years. Turkish news anchor visibly shaken on live television as a powerful earthquake struck Istanbul. — Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 23, 2025 The live broadcast of CNN Turk captured the magnitude of the earthquake which hit Istanbul on Wednesday, as news channel anchor Meltem Bozbeyoglu, who was conducting a guest interview, paused it calmly and asked the producer of the program during the live broadcast to call her mother. EQ of M: 6.0, On: 23/04/2025 15:19:11 IST, Lat: 40.99 N, Long: 28.10 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Turkey. For more information Download the BhooKamp App @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia — National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) April 23, 2025 The live footage showed how the studio of CNN Turk started shaking and the growing tremors set the panic mode on for anchor Meltem Bozbeyoglu. She asked the producer, 'Can you reach my mother?' Story continues below this ad People gather outdoors following an earthquake shock with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, in Istanbul, Turkey. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) Within 15 seconds, the most powerful earthquake to hit Istanbul in recent years stopped and reports stated that at least 151 people were hospitalised with injuries sustained while trying to jump from buildings. However, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said that there were no reports of any loss of life or destruction as of now. The memories of the dastardly earthquake in February 2023 still remain fresh which had hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria with a magnitude of 7.8, killing more than 59,000 people.
Chicago Tribune
14-04-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Downers Grove South teacher pleads not guilty to sexual assault, abuse of student
A Downers Grove South High School teacher appeared briefly in DuPage County Circuit Court Monday, where she pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing a student. Christina Formella, 30, is charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Formella, a special education teacher who also coached soccer, was arrested last month by the Downers Grove Police Department after a student and his mother told police about the alleged abuse, which authorities say occurred when the boy was 15 years old. Formella faces four to 15 years in prison if convicted of criminal sexual assault, prosecutors Jaclyn McAndrew and Mike Fisher said. The count is not subject to probation. One of the criminal sexual abuse charges is punishable by four to 15 years in prison while the other is subject to to three to seven years in prison, prosecutors said. The abuse counts are eligible for probation. Formella would have to register on the sex offender registry if convicted on any of the three counts, McAndrew said. Formella's attorney, Todd Pugh, declined comment after the hearing. The case was continued until June 17, though Judge Mia McPherson will hold a hearing Friday to determine whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom. Cameras or video equipment of any kind, including cell phones, are typically prohibited inside DuPage courtrooms without permission. Both prosecutors and Formella's attorneys have asked McPherson to bar photographers from the courtroom after the Daily Mail Online filed a request last week. Before Monday's arraignment, the case garnered substantial public attention in traditional media and social media. As a result, the victim and his family have already suffered embarrassment in the case and object to any extended media coverage, prosecutors said in court documents. Crime victims have the right to be treated with fairness and respect and be free from harassment, intimidation and abuse throughout the criminal process, McAndrew and Fisher wrote. Formella's attorneys also objected to the Daily Mail's request saying the teacher, her family and neighbors have been repeatedly harassed by tabloid reporters seeking to sensationalize the case. Local law enforcement have had to be called numerous times since her arrest, Pugh said in court records. The presence of a photojournalist could create a heightened media spectacle that could prejudice potential jurors and the public against the defendant, Pugh wrote. The defendant has a right to a fair trial, he wrote. Formella has been granted pre-trial release while awaiting trial. According to court documents, the boy's mother learned of the alleged assault after she bought the boy a new phone to replace one that broke. After signing into iCloud, text messages began populating, and the mother noticed a text thread with a phone number and no name or photo, documents said. The boy said it belonged to Formella, according to court records. Text messages between the two were indicative of a sexual relationship, court documents said. The boy and his mother went to the Downers Grove Police Department on March 15 to report a sexual assault that allegedly occurred inside a classroom in December 2023 when the boy was 15 years old and Formella was 28, court records said. The teen was later interviewed by an investigator with the DuPage County Children's Advocacy Center, court records said. According to the boy, he last spoke with Formella in February 2024, and they both acknowledged that it was wrong, court documents said. Formella was arrested March 16. Detectives seized Formella's phone and found various diary entries in the 'Notes' app that allegedly talked about the student, according to court records. Detectives interviewed Formella, who 'adamantly denied having sex' with the teen, court documents said. Formella allegedly told detectives that 'everybody comes after her because she is good looking, and she is just a good person,' and she cared about the victim, the documents said. Formella also admitted during the interview that she knew the relationship was wrong, but she was unable to stop it because she cared about the teen so much, court documents said. During the interview, Formella also presented a narrative in which the boy was using messages to blackmail her, authorities said. Court records show that Formella claimed the boy grabbed her phone when it was unattended and typed in her passcode, which he saw her use before, sent the text messages about a sexual encounter to his phone and then deleted them from her phone. Formella claimed that she did not know that these text messages existed, the court records said. Formella also alleged that the boy was stalking her and that her husband was aware, though he told detectives that he knew nothing about this, court documents said. Formella said that any personal thoughts detailed in her phone's 'Notes' app were a way for her to process her anxiety, court records said. Any references to sex were not about the teen she told police, according to court records. Michelle Mullins is a freelancer.
