As mentioned, Justice Beale’s directions yesterday touched on the first of a series of alleged actions that the prosecution argues represent “incriminating conduct” on Erin Patterson’s part.
The judge begins today’s proceedings by focusing on a second issue: alleged lies in relation to the use of dried mushrooms bought from an Asian grocer in the beef Wellington dish.
Justice Beale revisits testimony from various witnesses, some of whom recalled Ms Patterson saying she purchased mushrooms from a supermarket in Leongatha and an Asian grocer, possibly in the Oakleigh area.
The accused later said it was possible the Asian grocer was in Glen Waverley, but she couldn’t remember the exact store.
Another witness gave evidence that Ms Patterson said she purchased fresh mushrooms for the dish from a Woolworths in Leongatha and dried mushrooms from either Oakleigh or Glen Waverley.
Other witnesses mentioned Clayton and Mount Waverley as locations where the dried mushrooms may have been purchased.
An investigation was carried out across a number of these areas given the possible public health risk if store-bought mushrooms were responsible for the poisonings.