Prosecutors allege that Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, a Hendersonville woman and former restaurateur who owned the now-closed Patton Public House in Asheville, intentionally poisoned wine served during a Thanksgiving gathering in November 2025 at her home in Henderson County, North Carolina by lacing it with acetonitrile, a toxic industrial solvent that can metabolize into cyanide in the body; authorities say the incident caused the death of one attendee and seriously sickened two others, and that evidence uncovered during the investigation also links her to a separate 2007 poisoning death in the same county, with investigators alleging the acts were intentional though the exact motive has not been publicly established.
🔎 The Case (Quickly Grounded)
The defendant is
Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel
She’s been:
- Indicted (Feb 2026) by a Henderson County grand jury
- Charged with:
- 2× First-degree murder
- 2× Attempted first-degree murder
- 3× Distributing a poisonous food/beverage
- Held without bond since Jan 16, 2026
Prosecutors say wine served at a 2025 Thanksgiving gathering was allegedly laced with acetonitrile, which converts to cyanide in the body.
The indictment also ties her to a 2007 poisoning death, which is why this suddenly jumped from a recent death investigation to a double-murder prosecution.
She was scheduled for a Superior Court appearance on Feb 26, 2026.
⚖️ What Happens Next (NC Trial Timeline)
In North Carolina felony murder cases — especially ones with toxicology evidence — here’s the usual path:
1.
Post-Indictment Arraignment
This is where:
- Charges are formally read in Superior Court
- She enters a plea (often Not Guilty at this stage)
- The judge sets deadlines for motions
You’re basically here right now in the process.
2.
Discovery Phase (This Takes Months)
This is huge in a poisoning case because:
- Lab toxicology reports
- Digital search history
- Autopsy findings
- Possible exhumation evidence (for 2007 case)
- Chain-of-custody documentation
All of that has to be turned over to the defense.
In NC, this phase in a capital-eligible murder case often takes:
👉 6–18 months
3.
Pre-Trial Motions
Expect fights over things like:
- Admissibility of chemical evidence
- Whether the 2007 death can be used in the 2025 case
- Search warrants (Google history etc.)
- Expert witnesses (toxicologists)
You may see hearings open to the public during this phase.
4.
Death Penalty Decision
Because first-degree murder with alleged poisoning can qualify as an aggravating factor, prosecutors can seek capital punishment.
The State already told a judge the death penalty is possible.
If they do pursue it:
➡️ Add another 6–12 months for:
- Capital-qualified jury selection
- Mitigation investigation
5.
Trial
Realistically?
🗓️ Late 2026 at the absolute earliest
🗓️ More likely: sometime in 2027
Poisoning cases almost always require expert-heavy testimony, which slows things way down.
👀 Will the Trial Be Open to the Public?
In North Carolina: YES — almost certainly.
Under NC law:
- Criminal trials in Superior Court are presumptively open to the public.
- You can attend jury selection, testimony, and sentencing phases.
They can only close the courtroom if:
- There’s a narrowly defined safety issue
- Jury contamination risk
- Or sealed evidence hearings (like certain forensic procedures)
Even in capital murder trials, the public is normally allowed to sit in the gallery.
So if this goes to trial in Henderson County Superior Court:
👉 You (or anyone) can walk in and watch
👉 Media will be there
👉 There may be overflow seating for a high-profile case
(Some pre-trial hearings might be partly closed — but the trial itself is almost always open.)
