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.
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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.