Co-host of our weekly subscriber shows, veteran crime reporter Anthony Dowsley, looks at Erin Patterson’s final week in the witness box. This episode is a preview of our subscriber-only Sunday show.
After eight days in the witness box, Erin Patterson completed the testimony she delivered to own triple-murder trial and the defence closed its case.
The most dangerous thing Rachelle Childs could have done is reject a key suspect, says his daughter.
Erin Patterson faced another grilling in the witness box today as her claims about the mushrooms at the centre of this case were put under the microscope.
New details have emerged about a phone call Rachelle Childs made hours before she was murdered. Listen to the new bonus podcast episode.
The partner of one of two young men who died near a motorbike crash site has spoken out after authorities provided an update on their deaths.
The Mongols’ aggressive expansion across the southeast is gathering pace with police on alert for tensions with rival gangs. How the gang is growing.
Mushroom cook Erin Patterson has denied claims put to her by the Crown and insisted lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson, her estranged husband Simon Patterson and her son were “mistaken” in their recollections.
A court has heard that a man who brutally shot his housemate before dumping his body in a shallow grave on their Hunter rental property was angry after a dog dispute.
Who killed Rachelle Childs? Innocent people, silenced by fear for decades, are breaking their silence. For Rachelle. Listen to the latest episode now.
The prime suspect in one of Australia’s most perplexing murder mysteries has broken his silence. Watch the video and listen to the podcast.
The daughter of a prime suspect in an Australian cold case has been praised by her stepmum for coming forward with her belief that her dad killed a woman. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
The estranged daughter of a suspected killer in one of Australia’s biggest cold cases has told of “the moment” she believed he had killed a woman. SEE THE VIDEO, LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
A study using lab rats and cocaine is helping scientists understand why certain people develop drug use disorders while others do not. And one finding was not what they expected.
Australian Jordan Curry, who worked with conspirators to keep drug prices high and bring cocaine and meth to Sydney and Melbourne, has pleaded guilty after being caught in a global sting.
Police are scrambling to remove a drug 100 times more powerful than heroin off our streets after a Melbourne couple died taking what they thought was cocaine.
A surge in supply has supercharged Australia’s cocaine use despite the cost of living crisis. This is what drug users pay and who’s buying it.
The 50-year-old old mother was the last witness to be called in a trial that has gained pace as it has drawn nearer to its end.
Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC has fired three final questions at Erin Patterson as her time in the witness box comes to a close. FOLLOW LIVE
Accused mushroom murderer Erin Patterson told a “deliberate lie” about purchasing mushrooms from a grocery store in Melbourne, a prosecutor has alleged.
Erin Patterson told the jury she had “made preparations” to have the weight loss surgery, but under cross-examination she conceded the clinic she had an appointment at didn’t offer it – and medical records show she never sought a referral for the procedure.
Celebrated homicide detective Gary Jubelin says shocking evidence given at inquest over a mum’s horrific death shows Australia’s cops still have a problem – and families are suffering for it.
The ex-partner of a mother whose decomposed body was found in her family’s backyard had been accused of assaulting her, an inquest has heard.
An almost three-year federal probe has found Indigenous women and children are being murdered at shocking rates, with its harrowing findings finally released.
The Advertiser’s Walkley Award-winning podcast has taken home another top gong against some of the country’s best audio productions.
The Sinaloa cartel boss and El Chapo’s son, who play a huge role in the illicit drug trade on our streets, are now in custody.
Criminals using the “secret” AN0M app have been sentenced to three centuries of jail time, with dozens of cases still to hit court. See some of them who’ve been convicted.
The Hells Angels are preparing to take over Australia’s wholesale international drug trade after the arrest of Comanchero kingpin Hakan Ayik in Turkey. This is what’s afoot.
An Australian fugitive on the run for a decade in Mexico, who is a key drug broker for bikie gangs, is suspected of taking a dramatic step to avoid capture.
Ivan Milat wrote sprawling letters to a criminologist, where he accidentally revealed a detail that was not part of the Crown’s case against him. Listen to the podcast.
While Ivan Milat was convicted of seven murders, leading figures in the investigation have revealed there may have been many more victims dating back to the 1970s. Listen to the podcast.
A former police officer uncovers stories never heard before from key figures involved in the Ivan Milat task force. Listen to the podcast and catch all the episodes here.
Tasked with planting listening devices, former undercover cop Roy discovered a caravan filled with weapons before being forced to hide beneath it as Ivan Milat returned home.
The crippling finances have been exposed in new financial documents, with the Christian megachurch losing an eye-watering $5 million in just one year.
The megachurch is making a major change to its complaints process amid a tax office investigation into whistleblower documents that was examined in Faith on Trial podcast.
The Christian megachurch is being investigated by the Australian Taxation Office’s private wealth team over leaked financial records.
Award-winning journalist Marc Fennell has revealed his mixed — and deeply personal — feelings on the controversial Hillsong, and how he found a photo that he thought never existed.
Scarily, we now live in an era where a new level of stranger danger lurks, writes Madeleine West. See what you can do to protect your child.
After she found out a young girl was being followed on TikTok by a man, Madeleine West discovered something shocking that led her straight to the federal police.
Former Neighbours star Madeleine West has revealed what she told the “monster” who sexually abused her for years. Read her victim impact statement.
Vital clues that could lead to young sexual abuse victims are being overlooked – but an unlikely source could help bring paedophiles to justice. See how.
In a sneak peek of a TV documentary, Kathleen Folbigg is happy, relaxed and surrounded by love. But, while she enjoys freedom after 20 years behind bars, it’s clear she still has a long way to go.
Kathleen Folbigg and Lindy Chamberlain have shared a rare connection of murder convictions and acquittals that have captured, reviled and divided the nation.
Kathleen Folbigg’s diaries belonged to a ‘grieving, depressed mother’, a chief justice has found, as she was granted an unconditional pardon and released from prison.
Kathleen Folbigg’s ex-husband Craig, who gave evidence against her, was “absolutely dismayed and devastated” that there was a further inquiry, according to his lawyer.
At 23, Leisl Smith had her whole life in front of her. But her ex boyfriend, James Scott Church, had other ideas. Six years after she went missing, he was charged with her murder. After a gruelling 13-week trial, there are still no answers. Why? Because Church took his own life a day before the verdict was due to be made public – locking the judge’s verdict away forever. Jerildene Cane is hoping to change that, and bring closure to her family.
Leisl Smith disappeared in 2012 and her ex-boyfriend, James “Jim” Church, was charged with her suspected murder. But hours before the judge was due to hand down her verdict, Church took his own life – meaning the verdict was sealed forever. Two years after Gary Jubelin first spoke to Leisl’s sister, Jerildene Cane, a coronial inquest has been held in the hope that the family will finally get some answers.
Liz Hayes has interviewed serial killers, met murderers, reported from the front line of war zones and even took muffins to meet the Ku Klux Klan. The former 60 Minutes reporter has faced some of the most terrifying people, but it was the death of her father that was the hardest story of her career.
Zahra Baker was brutally murdered and dismembered by her stepmother when she was 10 years old. Former 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes sat down with the woman responsible in prison – and it was one of the few times she walked away stunned. On this episode, the veteran journalist takes Gary Jubelin through some of the biggest stories including the dingo who stole Lindy Chamberlain’s baby to the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
Eyewitnesses, tips and new leads
During her third day of cross-examination, Erin Patterson was taken to the evidence of almost a dozen witnesses, claiming her estranged husband Simon Patterson, lunch survivor Ian Wilkinson, a nurse and her own son were “mistaken” in their recollections.
The Mushroom Cook team talks about the interest around the testimony of the accused and how dozens have flocked to Morwell to observe the proceedings.
Before the Port Arthur massacre, Martin Bryant spent his days hitting on women, inviting himself to parties and bragging about his guns and violent porn. And that’s not all.
New unearthed psychiatric reports about Martin Bryant have revealed the motivation behind his gruesome massacre in Port Arthur. WARNING: Graphic
In this week’s subscriber-only episode, veteran crime reporter Anthony Dowsley goes through Erin Patterson’s testimony, and the start of her cross examination.
Drug runs, secret payments and a bent cop – these were the dodgy dealings unearthed after Mark Moran was killed 25 years ago, sparking all-out war among Melbourne’s meanest crooks.
The only person inside prison who endeavoured to talk to Martin Bryant has revealed new details about the Port Arthur killer’s life behind bars after he murdered 35 people. SEE THE VIDEO.
What once was a tool for the tropics is causing havoc on southern streets. Andrew Rule looks at the recent ban on machetes.
Grilled for a second day by the prosecution, Erin Patterson has denied she had “two faces” and was pretending to love her in-laws before she allegedly murdered them with a poisoned beef wellington.
Police have stopped more than 4000 lethal guns hitting Australian streets as pressure mounts on the government to consider a John Howard-like shake-up of gun laws. VOTE IN OUR POLL
Jazz wants her father Kevin Steven Correll to confess to murder and she has critical new information for the investigation.
Under cross-examination for the first time, Erin Patterson has denied accusations put to her by Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC, including that she weighed “five fatal doses” of death cap mushrooms.
Australia’s posties are using a novel way to protect themselves against a surge in dog attacks, which are now averaging 44 a week. Warning: Graphic
Today, a jury heard Erin Patterson’s version of events, with the accused triple murderer explaining how she prepared the lethal beef wellington lunch – and how she panicked after an accusation from her estranged husband.
A tribute has been unveiled where Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend were murdered during a surf trip.
Bali bomber Umar Patek has explained what happened when he was asked to make a 950kg bomb targeting “white people”, as his quiet life with his wife is uncovered.
Journalists on the case
From the witness box, accused triple murderer Erin Patterson has admitted lethal death cap mushrooms were in the beef wellington meal she served her lunch guests and revealed she foraged wild mushrooms.
The 23-year-old man who allegedly killed missing Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy is set to face trial.
Erin Patterson says she has spent years foraging for wild mushrooms and started dehydrating them in the months before the fateful lunch, as she admitted there were lethal death cap mushrooms in the beef wellington meal.
A Sydney man is on trial for allegedly raping, intimidating and choking a woman he met on social media in Lake Macquarie, with the jury hearing she was “scared” to say no to his advances.
Umar Patek was one of the masterminds responsible for the Bali bombings that killed 202 people. He’s now got a new job, bankrolled by an up-market Indonesian restaurant.
Erin Patterson took to the witness box today in her own triple murder trial, delivering a testimony the world has been waiting 674 days to hear.
In testimony the world has been waiting 674 days to hear, mushroom cook Erin Patterson has taken the stand and offered a raw response to a key question.
Victoria Police has issued a statement on its “number one priority” after an officer told accused mushroom murderer Erin Patterson’s trial that he had not sought certain tech records because of the expense.
The jury in the trial of Erin Patterson heard the accused in her own voice, as her police record interview was played in court this week. In this subscriber episode, Anthony Dowsley goes over the key points of that exchange.
Cheng Lei spent almost three years in a Chinese prison after she was wrongly accused of being a spy. Forced into isolation, Lei endured psychological torture. Locked in a padded cell, the journalist was under constant surveillance, with two guards never leaving her side. The lights never turned off, eerie Beethoven music was played every morning and she was only allowed to say five sentences a day. It was a horror Lei thought would never end.
Early morning bayside walkers often spot masked men with a bag in one hand and a speargun in the other. Here’s what they’re really up to and why our government is turning a blind eye.
Police have taken a major step on the financial reward for information on a woman’s murder, after our investigation into the cold case.
A forensic psychologist has revealed how serial sex predator Mark Errin Rust’s small penis drove him to chase women he also murdered.
Aussie conman Dimitri de Angelis fooled many with his so-called celebrity “friends”. But he couldn’t fool the forensic expert who exposed his dark side.
Are you working with a psychopath? As part of our new Twisted Minds podcast series, we put your knowledge to the test.
Former detective and criminal behaviourist, Steve Longford, reveals what he saw and knew of the arson attack on the Childers backpacker hostel and Bali bombing.
The worst part was not seeing her two young children. Almost two years after she was released, Cheng Lei joins Gary Jubelin on I Catch Killers podcast to share what it took to survive.
Ex bikie Shannon Althouse was sentenced to 10.5 years for attempted murder. Behind bars, tensions were high and violent fights were imminent. But when he was given a book about Buddhism, it changed his entire mindset.
As the former Rebels sergeant-at-arms, Shannon Althouse lived a dangerous life. He was the muscle for the bikie club – if anyone had a problem with the OMCG, Shannon sorted it. From being imprisoned twice to almost dying after he was run over by a car, the ex bikie reveals what goes on inside maximum security and why he ultimately left the club.
Jasmeen Kaur was kidnapped, bound and buried alive in a shallow grave by a spurned lover. Jasmeen had rejected the murderer weeks before he abducted her and horrifically abandoned her in a shallow grave. Forensic pathologist Roger Byard has performed more than 6000 post-mortems, but this is the worst case he’s ever seen.
Former prison officer Steve Bergervoet was just a rookie when he managed to get Mark ‘Chopper’ Read naked on his first day of work. Warning: Graphic
Think you’ve got what it takes to talk like an inmate? As part of our new On Guard prison podcast series, we put your knowledge of jailhouse lingo to the test.
Think you’ve got what it takes to talk like an inmate? As part of our new On Guard prison podcast series, we put your knowledge of jailhouse lingo to the test.
A prison officer who worked with Martin Bryant has revealed the serial killer is just a “big baby” and a nobody within the jail hierarchy. WARNING: Graphic
When Carl Williams lied about Michael Marshall’s involvement in a contract killing, he as good as signed the hotdog salesman’s death warrant.
In what was considered the biggest jewellery heist of the first half of the 20th century, in 1947 a thief managed to steal jewels worth about $600k today. But his glory was short-lived.
As Sherlock Holmes and spiritualism became popular, a ghostly case in the NSW town of Guyra led to hysteria spreading throughout Australia.
A witness to one of Sydney’s oldest cold cases, madam May Smith, was later arrested by our first female detective. She was jailed and then disappeared from public records — and from memory.
Police have issued cautionary words to a team of private investigators who are searching for the remains of two girls who disappeared from an AFL match in 1973.
There has been a major development in the search for two girls who were taken from their families in broad daylight more than 50 years ago.
It’s been almost a year since a confirmed sighting of one of Queensland’s most wanted men, cold case fugitive and convicted murderer Keith Lees, and police are stepping up the hunt.
The family of a young scientist shot dead while working at a crayfish farm say they lost their “last ray of hope” after an inquest failed to result in charges against two people named by a coroner.
An investigation into former Melbourne private schoolboy Damien Carew has taken a dramatic turn after his latest police confession.
Prosecutors fighting to allow Australian police to give evidence in the upcoming trial of Donald Day, who is linked to the Wieambilla massacre, say the cases have chilling similarities.
The teen who murdered three little girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England had searched for material on the stabbing of a Sydney bishop.
New laws will prevent any legal challenge to one of Australia’s most successful covert stings in organised crime using the encrypted AN0M application.
Australian children are among more than 100 victims of a sexual predator in the United States who used popular apps to coerce girls as young as five to send him explicit photos and videos.
A new DNA test will be conducted in the investigation into Janine Balding’s horrific murder, as jailed killer Stephen “Shorty” Jamieson fights for his conviction to be quashed.
A Polish woman who claims to be missing British toddler Madeleine McCann has been arrested at a UK airport.
Former elite water polo player Keli Lane is making another legal push for freedom.
Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/truecrimeaustralia