The Teacher's Trial

Chris Dawson is a man of good character, badly let down by police and unfairly tainted over the disappearance of his wife: that's the essence of the Defence's closing address on behalf of the accused. Finally, the court got to hear Dawson's side of the story. Through barrister Pauline David, he admitted having behaved 'horribly' towards Lyn by beginning a relationship with babysitter JC, leaving his wife in such despair she walked out and cut off all contact with her family.

We heard from a surprising defence witness, and got some clues about Justice Ian Harrison's thinking, as he sought Ms David's rebuttal of the Crown's case. We hear the voices of Dawson family insiders, including Chris himself, in flashbacks to The Teacher's Pet investigation.

This is our longest episode yet, as we explore the fine detail of Chris' claims to be an innocent man, wrongly persecuted.

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.

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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.

Hedley Thomas, the award-winning journalist behind The Teacher's Pet podcast, enters the witness box in the trial's eighth week. Thomas mounts a fiery defence of investigative journalism amid a fierce cross-examination by defence barrister Pauline David. Detective Damian Loone also returns to the witness box for a grilling over his investigative methods and integrity. The former cop stands firm under the onslaught, defending his actions in seeking justice for Lyn and answers for her family.

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 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.