The monumental task of the mushroom murder trial jury

The monumental task of the mushroom murder trial jury

Erin Patterson has been convicted of murdering three relatives and attempting to murder another at a family lunch in 2023. An RMIT expert reflects on the role of the jury, who delivered the guilty verdict.

Associate Professor Brianna Chesser, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies

“It’s a monumental task and a great service that the jury has done for members of the public in Victoria.

“The lawyers who are sitting in that room, they’ve gone to law school, the members of the judiciary have gone to law school, and have been practicing for 20 or so years, and it was a complex case for all of us, let alone members of the public who have been plucked out of their everyday life, and thrust into that legal environment.

“[The jury sat] there day after day, and balancing that with the fact that this is someone’s family members who have not come home, it’s not some melodrama that is playing out for us in the movies or in a novel, this is really going to impact someone’s life and has indeed impacted that family and that part of regional Victoria quite significantly.”

Hear more from Dr Brianna Chesser on PM with Samantha Donovan.

Dr Brianna Chesser is a clinical forensic psychologist and criminal lawyer. She is an Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University.

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

07 July 2025

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07 July 2025

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