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Erin Patterson murder trial LIVE updates: Judge tells jurors they must not let feelings of prejudice or sympathy impact decision-making

The trial of Erin Patterson, accused of murdering three people with a poisonous mushroom meal, is in its final stage as Justice Christopher Beale is directing the jury. Follow his instructions here.
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The accused woman, Erin Patterson, chose to give evidence in her trial, Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale told the jury.

He said Patterson didn’t have to do that, and it remained up to the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she was guilty of the charges.

“It is not for her to prove her innocence, and this has not changed because she chose to give evidence. In choosing to give evidence, she undertook to tell the truth, she also submitted herself to cross-examination, which is the way lawyers test a witness’s credibility and reliability,” Beale told the jury in his charge.

“In this respect, she’s no different to any other [witness]. You must assess her evidence in the same way as you assess the evidence of any other witnesses.”

Beale told the jurors that if they thought Patterson’s evidence was true though, they must find her not guilty of three charges of murder and one of attempted murder.

Secondly, if the jurors were unsure whether her evidence was true but thought it might be, then they would have “reasonable doubt” and must find her not guilty of the charges.

“Third, it’s not enough that you prefer the prosecution case to Ms Patterson’s evidence. It’s not sufficient for you to find the prosecution case to be preferable to the defence case,” the judge said.

“It’s not a question of simply balancing one case against the other or choosing which one you prefer. The prosecution must establish her guilt on each charge beyond reasonable doubt.”
 
Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale told the jurors they needed to decide the case solely on the evidence, made up of testimony, exhibits and agreed facts.

“In this case it’s alleged by the prosecution that Erin Patterson committed the offence of attempted murder and also three counts of murder. She’s pleaded not guilty, so it’s up to you and you alone to decide if she’s guilty of these offences,” Beale said.

“You do that by deciding what the facts are in this case.

“You then apply the law to the facts you’ve found to decide if the accused is guilty or not guilty.”

The jurors were told they must not let feelings of prejudice or sympathy for anyone in the case impact their decision-making. This, he said, included not being influenced by the fact Patterson cooked the meal that caused the deaths.

“The issue is not whether she is in some sense responsible for the tragic consequences of the lunch, but whether the prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that she is criminally responsible,” the judge said.

“Similarly, the fact that, on her own admission, Erin Patterson told lies and disposed of evidence must not cause you to be prejudiced against [her]. This is a court of law, not a court of morals.”
 
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Shell said:
No direction about murder v manslaughter?
Click to expand...
From what I have read he has only said three charges of murder and one of attempted murder. No mention of manslaughter, but his address is still going.
 

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