Japan’s legal system has a 99% conviction rate, so Donna Nelson and her family knew she had a hard case to argue. But when they saw the judge become tearful about Donna’s experience, a window of hope appeared. 

In the second episode of the Romance Scam, James Oaten and Olivia Rousset join Stephen Stockwell to explain how Donna Nelson’s drug trafficking trial unfolded, her conditions in prison, and the evidence that turned the case. 

If you have any questions you’d like James, Olivia and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].

You can listen back to the first episode of The Case of the Romance Scam here.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

Perth woman Donna Nelson said she was going to Japan to meet the man she was going to marry. Instead, she was arrested at a Tokyo airport, carrying two kilograms of methamphetamine.

While Japanese prosecutors say Donna was a drug mule, her family says she was the victim of a prolonged romance scam. Later this month, judges will deliver their judgement on Donna Nelson's appeal — her last chance to clear her name and return to Australia.

Stephen Stockwell is joined by North Asia Correspondent James Oaten and Australian Story producer Olivia Rousset to cover Donna Nelson's case. In our first episode, we talk through who Donna Nelson was, and how she ended up with the drug-filled bag.

If you have any questions you'd like James, Olivia and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

During any trial we're limited in what we can say, but now the jury has found Matt Wright guilty of two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, we're off the chain.

In this episode Olivana Lathouris and Matt Garrick join Stephen Stockwell to talk through some of the surprising moments, what evidence we thought hit hardest and what made this trial so sad. Also, Oli reveals a bit about circus life in Darwin outside the courtroom.

If you have any questions you'd like Oli and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

--

It's the trial everyone in Darwin is talking about. In February 2022 a helicopter on a crocodile egg collection mission crashed in remote Arnhem Land, killing the egg collector and paralysing the pilot.

NT Croc Wrangler Matt Wright isn't on trial for the crash, but for what allegedly he did after. Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, prosecutors say he tried to interfere with the investigation.

Matt Wright has pled not guilty and denies all the allegations.

To hear the background of this story, listen to our episode introducing the case of the croc wrangler.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit ABC podcast Mushroom Case Daily. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system.

We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.

Some of the best questions we get are ones we can't answer during the trial because they haven't been addressed before the jury. Finally, now we can.

In this episode Olivana Lathouris and Matt Garrick dive into The Case Of mailbag and explain if Matt Wright could still be found responsible for the helicopter crash, the legalities of police bugs and why croc eggs are collected in the wild (with Executive Producer Clare Rawlinson sharing her experience on a croc egg collection trip).

You can read more about Matt Garrick's investigation into the Australian helicopter industry in this article — Chopper cowboy culture exposed in croc wrangler trial.

If you have any questions you'd like Oli and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

--

It's the trial everyone in Darwin is talking about. In February 2022 a helicopter on a crocodile egg collection mission crashed in remote Arnhem Land, killing the egg collector and paralysing the pilot.

NT Croc Wrangler Matt Wright isn't on trial for the crash, but for what allegedly he did after. Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, prosecutors say he tried to interfere with the investigation.

Matt Wright has pled not guilty and denies all the allegations.

To hear the background of this story, listen to our episode introducing the case of the croc wrangler.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit ABC podcast Mushroom Case Daily. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system.

We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.

Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life in prison, but Justice Christopher Beale has left a light on with the option of parole after 33 years.

In this episode Kristian Silva and Rachael Brown join Stephen Stockwell to explain Justice Beale's reasons for the sentence, why he left the door open for parole and whether Erin Patterson is likely to appeal.

If you've got questions about the case that you'd like answered in future episodes, send them through to [email protected]

-

From court recaps to behind-the-scenes murder trial explainers, and post-verdict analysis, Mushroom Case Daily is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom.

It's the case that's captured the attention of the world. Three people died and a fourth survived an induced coma after eating beef wellington at a family lunch, hosted by Erin Patterson.

Police alleged that the beef wellington contained poisonous mushrooms, but Erin Patterson said she was innocent.

This podcast follows every development of the trial as the accused triple murderer fights the charges in a regional Victorian courthouse. Reporters Kristian Silva and Rachael Brown are with producer Stephen Stockwell on the ground, bringing you all the key moments as they unravel in court.

Keep up to date with new episodes of Mushroom Case Daily on the ABC listen app.

To catch up on all the evidence from the case, go back and listen to all our Friday Wrap episodes:

• A tragic accident or ultimate betrayal? Our Friday Wrap
• What happened to the leftovers? Our Friday Wrap
• Death caps, DNA and drama: Our Friday Wrap
• Everything you need to know about Erin's messages: Our Friday Wrap
• Key moments in the case so far: Our Friday Wrap
• Explaining Erin's evidence: Our Friday Wrap
• The biggest moments of Erin's evidence: Our Friday Wrap
• Kill them all, or reconnect? Our Friday Wrap
• Judging Erin's lies: Our Friday Wrap

The Northern Territory courts have been dealing with the fallout from the helicopter crash that killed Chris Wilson for years before this trial.

In this episode, Olivana Lathouris and Matt Garrick join Stephen Stockwell to explain the other charges brought following the crash — including against another helicopter pilot and an off-duty cop — and what the transport regulator found caused it in the first place.

If you have any questions you'd like Oli and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

--

It's the trial everyone in Darwin is talking about. In February 2022 a helicopter on a crocodile egg collection mission crashed in remote Arnhem Land, killing the egg collector and paralysing the pilot.

NT Croc Wrangler Matt Wright isn't on trial for the crash, but for what allegedly he did after. Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, prosecutors say he tried to interfere with the investigation.

Matt Wright has pled not guilty and denies all the allegations.

To hear the background of this story, listen to our episode introducing the case of the croc wrangler.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit ABC podcast Mushroom Case Daily. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system.

We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.

The jury has reached its verdict in the trial of croc wrangler Matt Wright — but not without a twist.

In this episode, reporters Olivana Lathouris and Matt Garrick join Stephen Stockwell to take you inside the courtroom as the decision was handed down and discuss what comes next for Matt Wright.

If you have any questions you'd like Oli and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

--

It's the trial everyone in Darwin is talking about. In February 2022 a helicopter on a crocodile egg collection mission crashed in remote Arnhem Land, killing the egg collector and paralysing the pilot.

NT Croc Wrangler Matt Wright isn't on trial for the crash, but for what allegedly he did after. Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, prosecutors say he tried to interfere with the investigation.

Matt Wright has pled not guilty and denies all the allegations.

To hear the background of this story, listen to our episode introducing the case of the croc wrangler.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit ABC podcast Mushroom Case Daily. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. 

We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.

The jury has begun deliberations in the trial of Matt Wright, after three days of closing arguments and judge's directions.

In this episode, Stephen Stockwell, Olivana Lathouris and Matthew Garrick step through the key arguments each side made regarding whether to convict or acquit the former Territory face of tourism, Matt Wright, for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

If you have any questions you'd like Oli and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email [email protected].

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

--

It's the trial everyone in Darwin is talking about. In February 2022 a helicopter on a crocodile egg collection mission crashed in remote Arnhem Land, killing the egg collector and paralysing the pilot.

NT Croc Wrangler Matt Wright isn't on trial for the crash, but for what allegedly he did after. Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, prosecutors say he tried to interfere with the investigation.

Matt Wright has pled not guilty and denies all the allegations.

To hear the background of this story, listen to our episode introducing the case of the croc wrangler.

You can also check out this article from ABC News, which breaks down the key players, charges and evidence so far.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit ABC podcast Mushroom Case Daily. The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. 

We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.

Mushroom Case Daily reporters Kristian Silva and Rachael Brown join Stephen Stockwell for a breakdown of Erin Patterson's plea hearing.

Seven weeks after her guilty verdict, Patterson has returned to court to face her victims — the sole survivor of the deadly lunch, Ian Wilkinson; her estranged husband Simon Patterson, and other family members.

In this episode, we talk through the victim impact statements they gave, and arguments from both the defence and the prosecution regarding Patterson's final sentence.

If you've got questions about the case that you'd like Rachael and Stocky to answer in future episodes, send them through to [email protected]

---

From court recaps to behind-the-scenes murder trial explainers, and post-verdict analysis, Mushroom Case Daily is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom.

It's the case that's captured the attention of the world. Three people died and a fourth survived an induced coma after eating beef wellington at a family lunch, hosted by Erin Patterson.

Police alleged that the beef wellington contained poisonous mushrooms, but Erin Patterson said she was innocent.

This podcast follows every development of the trial as the accused triple murderer fights the charges in a regional Victorian courthouse. Reporters Kristian Silva and Rachael Brown are with producer Stephen Stockwell on the ground, bringing you all the key moments as they unravel in court.

Keep up to date with new episodes of Mushroom Case Daily on the ABC listen app.

To catch up on all the evidence from the case, go back and listen to all our Friday Wrap episodes:

• A tragic accident or ultimate betrayal? Our Friday Wrap
• What happened to the leftovers? Our Friday Wrap
• Death caps, DNA and drama: Our Friday Wrap
• Everything you need to know about Erin's messages: Our Friday Wrap
• Key moments in the case so far: Our Friday Wrap
• Explaining Erin's evidence: Our Friday Wrap
• The biggest moments of Erin's evidence: Our Friday Wrap
• Kill them all, or reconnect? Our Friday Wrap
• Judging Erin's lies: Our Friday Wrap