Deanne Mathews pleads guilty to drug trafficking after serving mushroom drink to woman who died

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A self-proclaimed "healer" has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking after serving magic mushrooms at a retreat in Clunes last year. A woman died there after drinking mushroom tea and Deanne Mathews’ lawyers say. She's still haunted by the incident.

Transcript

00:00Heated scenes in Bacchus Marsh.

00:07As a self-proclaimed healer pleads guilty in court.

00:11Deanne Matthews runs a business that promotes unproven alternative treatments.

00:15In April last year she hired a cloon's retreat for a private workshop.

00:19People paid $500 to attend and drank tea with magic mushrooms as part of a ceremony.

00:2553-year-old Rachel Dixon died after consuming the tea.

00:29Ultimately it was Miss Matthews who was with Miss Dixon in her final moments, lawyer John

00:34Ross told a court today.

00:35The effects of this have been profound on her.

00:38An autopsy was inconclusive and no one was charged over Miss Dixon's death.

00:43Police did uncover incriminating text messages and charged Miss Matthews with drug trafficking

00:49for selling the mushrooms.

00:51Her lawyer argued she only deserved punishment for the charge before the court and not for

00:56the death that occurred.

00:57Several character references were provided to the court by people in support of Miss

01:01Matthews including some who witnessed the tragedy at Clooners.

01:06They described Miss Matthews as a person who was compassionate and caring.

01:11In sentencing Magistrate Julia Barling said the court and the community couldn't tolerate

01:15drug crime.

01:16Miss Matthews was spared a conviction and fined $3,000.

01:20Do you still have confidence in your healing abilities?

01:22How has this changed your life?

01:24She says mushrooms are no longer part of her classes.

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