The Teacher's Trial

The court hears Chris Dawson's story in his own words as video of his first and only police interview on the topic of his wife's disappearance is played in full. His brother, Peter Dawson, remembers the crucial weeks and months following Lynette Dawson's disappearance and a teenage co-worker of JC recounts a frightening encounter with Chris Dawson, who allegedly warned him to stay away from JC. And this decades-old cold case hits a very modern road bump thanks to COVID-19.

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial search The Teacher's Trial or click here.

For daily updates on the trial of Chris Dawson search for The Front in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached on 1800RESPECT.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The names and reputations of Sydney’s most notorious crime figures are connected to Chris Dawson’s murder trial, as the focus turns to the gangland milieu surrounding the Newtown Jets rugby league club. The crown’s criminally-connected witness Robert Silkman speaks of his friendship with heroin trafficker and Newtown teammate Paul Hayward, and his drinking buddy and brother-in-law, psychopathic contract killer Neddy Smith. Silkman’s claims that Dawson asked him to help “get rid” of Lyn after a Newtown players' trip to the Gold Coast are ferociously attacked by the defence team.

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial search The Teacher's Trial or click here.

For daily updates on the trial of Chris Dawson search for The Front in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached on 1800RESPECT.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four decades after former star footballer and high school teacher Chris Dawson allegedly murdered his wife Lyn, a murder trial her family feared would never happen has begun. The prosecution revealed that a new witness - a former Newtown Jets team-mate of the accused wife killer - will allege Dawson asked him in 1975 to help 'get rid' of Lyn. Dawson strenuously denies wrongdoing. And in the leadup to the trial for the most high profile cold case in Australia's history, judges gave their verdicts on Dawson's right to a fair trial in light of The Teacher's Pet podcast series, the delays of 40 years since Lyn's disappearance, and the conduct of earlier police investigations.

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial search The Teacher's Trial or click here.

For daily updates on the trial of Chris Dawson search for The Front in your podcast app.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached on 1800RESPECT.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Hedley Thomas will be in the witness box in the trial of Chris Dawson. The Australian's daily news podcast The Front will be publishing daily updates. Search for The Front in your podcast app, and hit the follow or subscribe button to get daily updates on the trial of Chris Dawson and Hedley's appearance as a witness.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sue Strath is that rare, loyal friend who never turns away, who never gives up. Her efforts to poke and prod police into action over the disappearance of Lyn Dawson makes Sue one of the few heroines of a tragic story. Sue kept agitating for 16 years, although she was sure that Lyn was dead. The facts and chronology of the case show that Sue's persistence caused the police investigation in the late 1990s which led to much of the evidence presented in the murder trial. Sue was in the witness box at the murder trial for only a short time but her fascinating story battling bureaucrats and cops is unpacked here, along with all the developments in the case since Justice Harrison adjourned to consider a verdict and write his judgment.

And, as the Dawson twins turn 74, Chris faces another court -- this time on a charge of carnal knowledge of a student from his time at Cromer High.

Plus, we meet some more inspiring women: the dedicated court-watchers who’ve been in the public gallery each day.

To read The Australian's ongoing coverage of the trial search The Teacher's Trial or click here.

The National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached on 1800RESPECT. Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.