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Welcome to Aussie & NZ Mumsnetters - discuss all aspects of parenting life in Australia and New Zealand, including relocating, schools and local areas.

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SuperstarDeejay · 22/03/2024 00:01

That usually leads to a shorter sentence, if convicted.

velvetandsatin · 22/03/2024 00:11

Hard to imagine her getting a much shorter sentence with the number and severity of her charges, though.

SuperstarDeejay · 22/03/2024 00:19

I hope not! It's a very perverse element of our justice system. Do something particularly disgusting -> get sentencing considerations because your time inside will be especially 'onerous'.

Original poster
Dustyblue · 22/03/2024 07:12

I'm not sure about the protective custody angle leading to a shorter sentence, although it probably has in the past.

For example, the degenerate who raped/murdered Jillian Meagher in Melb 2012. He was (and maybe still is) in protective custody. Apparently, prison rules are against attacking "innocents" & he was well-targeted. Didn't affect his sentence, which was life or 40 years.

The trial will be interesting... May 3rd. See you all then with bells on!

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Original poster
Dustyblue · 22/04/2024 03:24

Why is she so keen to have the committal held locally? As a local from next-town-over, I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Her lawyers say she'd prefer to wait than have it fast-tracked to Melbourne. Why? Do the defence think a jury will go harder on her in Melbourne?

This woman baffles me!

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Original poster
Dustyblue · 22/04/2024 03:29

velvetandsatin · 16/04/2024 08:28

I missed your post on this!

It's very sad indeed, but I'm thinking a genuine accident happened here? As in, a death cap or another less-dodgy type was mixed into the magic mushroom tea and it reacted badly with her. Poor woman.

Don't eat foraged mushrooms in Victoria!

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velvetandsatin · 22/04/2024 04:00

Dustyblue · 22/04/2024 03:24

Why is she so keen to have the committal held locally? As a local from next-town-over, I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Her lawyers say she'd prefer to wait than have it fast-tracked to Melbourne. Why? Do the defence think a jury will go harder on her in Melbourne?

This woman baffles me!

It is very odd. I can't fathom the thinking behind it.

velvetandsatin · 22/04/2024 04:02

Dustyblue · 22/04/2024 03:29

I missed your post on this!

It's very sad indeed, but I'm thinking a genuine accident happened here? As in, a death cap or another less-dodgy type was mixed into the magic mushroom tea and it reacted badly with her. Poor woman.

Don't eat foraged mushrooms in Victoria!

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Yes, it is awful. The poor woman drove up from Melbourne, thinking she would be having some sort of uplifting or transformative experience. Horrifying for all concerned.

echt · 22/04/2024 04:14

I think Patterson is playing for time because she can. It's about exercising the small power she has.

I can't see any advantage to having the trial in the nearest criminal court which would be Morwell as the jury could be drawn from anywhere in Victoria.

Original poster
Dustyblue · 22/04/2024 11:29

echt · 22/04/2024 04:14

I think Patterson is playing for time because she can. It's about exercising the small power she has.

I can't see any advantage to having the trial in the nearest criminal court which would be Morwell as the jury could be drawn from anywhere in Victoria.

I didn't know they could draw the jury from anywhere in the state, interesting!

I've been called twice for jury duty at Morwell (closest County Court) but was excused because I live (just) over 60km from Morwell. In Melbourne you can be excused if you live more than 50km from the court.

Think you're onto something about Erin using whatever control she has left. Jeez I hope I get recalled for service- I'll get to freaking Morwell come hell or high water 😆

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velvetandsatin · 22/04/2024 12:27

I saw some lawyer on the news suggest she was possibly hoping, with the long delay she and her lawyer are angling for, that she will then get bail. Or maybe she knows she's going down, and where she is, in a private room from what I recall, will most likely be a lot nicer than jail?

Her behaviour has been really odd the whole way through this, though.

TerrorAustralis · 23/04/2024 02:29

velvetandsatin · 22/04/2024 12:27

I saw some lawyer on the news suggest she was possibly hoping, with the long delay she and her lawyer are angling for, that she will then get bail. Or maybe she knows she's going down, and where she is, in a private room from what I recall, will most likely be a lot nicer than jail?

Her behaviour has been really odd the whole way through this, though.

I don't think the location of where she's being held comes into it. She's on remand in prison, it's the same place she'll be sent if she's found guilty. They may keep those on remand separate, but essentially it will be the same standard and facilities. A single cell in prison is still a prison cell.

There are only two facilities for female prisoners in Victoria. One is a minimum-security prison farm, which she will have no chance of going to. You only get to go there if you're on a short sentence for a non-violent offence, or nearing the end of a longer sentence with a long record of good behaviour as a prisoner.

She may think she'll get a more sympathetic hearing in Morwell, but I can't see how. It's very strange.

velvetandsatin · 23/04/2024 02:40

TerrorAustralis · 23/04/2024 02:29

I don't think the location of where she's being held comes into it. She's on remand in prison, it's the same place she'll be sent if she's found guilty. They may keep those on remand separate, but essentially it will be the same standard and facilities. A single cell in prison is still a prison cell.

There are only two facilities for female prisoners in Victoria. One is a minimum-security prison farm, which she will have no chance of going to. You only get to go there if you're on a short sentence for a non-violent offence, or nearing the end of a longer sentence with a long record of good behaviour as a prisoner.

She may think she'll get a more sympathetic hearing in Morwell, but I can't see how. It's very strange.

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Yes, it was only a thought, as her reasoning is baffling. I don't really know anything about Melbourne prisons nowadays, but I've read she was in "a secure wing at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre", and previously it has been reported she effectively has her own little private suite. It sounds better than your average cell.

"The protection unit at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre consists of two types of accommodation — cells and self-contained units. It is believed Ms Patterson is detained in one of the self-contained units, which is decked out with a bed, shower, toilet, sink, desk and closet. She cannot leave her unit but can freely walk around it. The prison source revealed that Ms Patterson may have access to a kitchen where she cooks her own meals. “She can cook anything, there’s all sorts of meats, vegetables, fruit,” the source said."

Erin Patterson’s life behind bars ahead of trial over mushroom deaths | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

That photo never grows old!

Accused mushroom killer’s life behind bars

Accused triple murderer Erin Patterson has been forced into a protected unit at a women’s maximum security prison along with pedophile rapist Malka Leifer as fears mount for the mother of two’s safety.

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/accused-triple-murderer-erin-pattersons-life-behind-bars-before-trial/news-story/3dab8afe547945e3e4c58698c071ee72

echt · 23/04/2024 05:03

I didn't know they could draw the jury from anywhere in the state, interesting!

I think they can, but usually go locally, but why Patterson imagines this is better is strange. Is it a version of Royston Vasey: Are you local? This a local court for local people.Grin

TerrorAustralis · 23/04/2024 08:12

This a local court for local people.

😂

@velvetandsatin the media (especially the tabloids) always try to make prisons sound like they're some kind of holiday camp and it's actually quite a cushy little set-up. I used to work in the system in another state and can categorically say it's really not.

The media like to make it sound like having food that's not gruel, a TV to watch and a Christmas dinner once a year are outrageous privileges that the taxpayer shouldn't be paying for.

Even the use of language is telling, saying EP's cell is 'decked out' with things that are just basic furnishings and plumbing. Rather than saying she has a place to eat, sleep, keep clothes and she doesn't have to poo in a bucket like prisoners of yore.

She'll be in a separate unit because the prison security team does not think she's safe in the general population, so shouldn't be using the shared showers and common areas, and shouldn't receive the food cooked in the main kitchen (there's a bit of irony).

Anyway, not having a go at you. I just get a bit of a bee in my bonnet about this kind of reporting. Being in prison is not nice, but prisoners (excluding remand) are there as punishment, not for punishment.

velvetandsatin · 23/04/2024 09:17

Even the use of language is telling, saying EP's cell is 'decked out' with things that are just basic furnishings and plumbing.

I quite enjoy news.com, and don't mind a bit of colourful reporting! I also read the ABC news website, and neither of their reporters could come up with an understandable reason behind her desire to stay in custody where she is and wait another 15 or so months for the committal hearing.

Erin Patterson, accused of murdering three with mushroom meal, faces Victorian court - ABC News

Another great pic!

Erin Patterson, accused of killing three people with mushrooms, faces Victorian court

Erin Patterson's lawyers tell a regional Victorian court they are prepared to wait until next year for the case to progress to a committal hearing, despite an offer from the magistrate to have the matter fast-tracked to a Supreme Court trial.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-22/erin-patterson-mushroom-alleged-murder-leongatha-vic-court/103752474

TerrorAustralis · 23/04/2024 09:44

So much of the story is just mind-boggling though. I don't think anyone has been able to understand EP's motivations for any of her behaviours from the start.

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velvetandsatin · 07/05/2024 08:01

She zigs and zags. Now it's being rushed to the supreme court! Less than two weeks ago she was all, nah, I'll wait til 2025, that's cool.

Original poster
Dustyblue · 08/05/2024 01:49

Yeah her lawyers must be fed up with her already!

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