Articles by Nino Bucci Justice and courts reporter

Three months without a trace: the many unanswered questions surrounding Dezi Freeman

As rumours whip around Victoria’s high country, police can’t rule out Freeman is still in the Porepunkah area, harboured by locals, but believe it’s unlikely

16 hours ago

Entertainment

Police detonated a ‘stinger’ grenade at a Melbourne protest. Now two activists may sue over their injuries

Grenades filled with rubber pellets and other so-called ‘less lethal’ munitions have been increasingly deployed, despite being linked to serious injuries and even deaths

Nov 15, 2025

Entertainment

Prosecutor will not charge Kyle and Jackie O and Mamamia with contempt over Erin Patterson comments

Kyle Sandilands said ‘just lock that bitch up’ on air during the high profile mushroom murder trial, which prompted the referral

Nov 12, 2025

World

Prosecutors asked if manslaughter charge will be considered if Greg Lynn overturns high country murder conviction

Appeal judges also seek advice on whether motive of former Jetstar pilot would be considered in event of retrial over Carol Clay’s death

Nov 6, 2025

World

Erin Patterson cites ‘unfair and oppressive’ questioning and jury ‘irregularity’ in mushroom murder appeal

Patterson appealing convictions on seven grounds, after being found guilty of killing three people using beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms in regional Australia

Nov 5, 2025

World

Prisoners spending entire jail term in police cells as Victoria’s justice system buckles

Prisoners in police cells often have less access to healthcare and less chance of being visited by family and lawyers

Nov 4, 2025

World

Erin Patterson appeals guilty verdicts over deadly mushroom lunch that killed three

Lawyers lodge challenge to conviction of triple murderer who served relatives beef wellingtons laced with death cap mushrooms in regional Australia

Nov 3, 2025

Greg Lynn appeal: judge criticises prosecutor’s conduct as former pilot seeks to overturn high country murder conviction

Former Jetstar pilot argues a substantial miscarriage of justice occurred when he was convicted over Carol Clay’s murder

Oct 31, 2025

Erin Patterson: prosecutors to appeal ‘manifestly inadequate’ sentence for triple murderer

Victoria’s director of public prosecutions seeking longer prison sentence for mushroom murderer

Oct 6, 2025

Potential contempt charges in relation to Kyle and Jackie O comments on Erin Patterson still under consideration

Office of public prosecutions says decision has ‘not yet been finalised’, four months after judge referred comments including Kyle Sandilands saying ‘lock that bitch up’

Oct 4, 2025

Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson will appeal against her convictions, court told

Lawyers for Erin Patterson confirmed on Thursday that she would appeal against her convictions, after she was sentenced to life imprisonment last month

Oct 2, 2025