Not Stupid Why we're still obsessed with the mushroom case
13 snips
Jul 9, 2025 
Beverley Wang, ABC’s National Culture correspondent and co-host of Stop Everything and Life Matters, delves into our fascination with the mushroom murder trial. She and Jez discuss the societal narratives surrounding women and violence, reflecting on how media shapes our perceptions of innocence and danger. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's new political venture and the ramifications of the Big Beautiful Bill in the U.S. as they unpack its impact on government spending and social services.
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Dinner Party Allergy Scare
- Jeremy Fernandez shared a dinner party story where a nut allergy scare almost hospitalized a guest.
- This incident sparked his fascination with the mushroom poisoning trial and accidental dangers in cooking.
Mushroom Trial Verdict Summary
- Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering three guests and attempting to murder a fourth at a lunch using death cap mushrooms.
- One guest survived after a liver transplant; her estranged husband declined to attend.
Why Mushroom Case Obsessed Public
- The mushroom poisoning case captivated Australia like the Lindy Chamberlain story due to its unusual family dynamics and the method of poisoning.
- The trial's compelling facts included individualized poisoned beef wellingtons and Erin Patterson's obsession with mushrooms.