Still Missing Australia - Lynette Dawson, 34, Sydney, Jan 1982 *Arrest* #3

[Cliff Hardy]

I'm sure Hedley is his own man and more than capable of handling himself but I also think he would have been well drilled by The Australian's go-to legal eagle on what to expect from the defence and how best to deal with it.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Standby for the TV mini-series :

Hedley Thomas told the court that he had no roles to offer anyone, explaining that his interviews for the podcast occurred in the years before a deal had been struck with Blumhouse Television for a miniseries in September 2018.

Reporter denies enticing Dawson witnesses

Investigative journalist Hedley Thomas has rejected allegations he influenced potential witnesses in Christopher Michael Dawson's murder trial by...

www.illawarramercury.com.au

I just knew there was a mini-series in this one. It was inevitable.

 

[Podcast Tragic]

Personally I am going back to "the soft soil".

 

[DRT]

Do I remember correctly, that in one of the videos, CD says something to the effect that he "has friends in the police force"? I can't find the comment now, but back when I heard him say that, it struck me as an attempt to manipulate the police toward dropping the investigation.

His 1982 Antecedent report said that Sgt Brian Gardiner of the Manly Detectives had advised him from procedure. Not necessarily a friend.

From 1991 interview:
Ian Kennedy told him "Lyn was rumoured to be in New Zealand" at a Sydney Boys School Reunion.

Ian Kennedy strangely enough couldn't remember it in 1991 when this was followed up and denied any knowledge of it when questioned under oath. He also said he had no knowledge of the investigation.

I am guessing he was getting Lynette mixed up with Lynelle Dawson's mother who did go to New Zealand in the late 1950s or early 1960s, when you could get there without a passport unlike in 1982 when you needed a passport.

He also had friends in Belrose looking out for Lyn.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Update this morning from The Australian :

Final witness, lead police investigator Daniel Poole, will today continue giving evidence at Chris Dawson’s trial for the alleged murder of his wife Lynette.

We are getting to the pointy end of things now folks.

 

[DRT]

So the defence has submitte d taped conversations where Chris and Paul knew their phone was tapped where they could describe their perfect innocence. Happily describing Hedley with an expletive which would be fair enough if you considered yourself innocent.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/dawson-neighbour-cast-questions-over-claimed-lynette-dawson-sighting/news-story/cfcd475cb3c398de0bbfe467e6407246

‘The guy’s never met me’: Dawson’s angry phone call about journalist

Chris Dawson’s murder trial has heard a call he made to his brother after Hedley Thomas, the journalist behind The Teacher’s Pet podcast, appeared on TV in 2018.

www.smh.com.au

Hedley denies accusations that Hugh Jackman possibly starring in a mini-series might have influenced people into giving biased information.

Podcast journalist denies using Hollywood to induce Dawson witnesses

Hedley Thomas has faced a second day of cross-examination at Chris Dawson’s murder trial about conversations with witnesses for his podcast, The Teacher’s Pet.

www.smh.com.au

Detective Senior Constable Daniel Poole agreed with the defence that he was concerned there may be some contamination of evidence. Lynette's remains haven't been identified anywhere in Australia. Chris displays the inability of some PE teacher in basic maths. His last contact with Lyn according to the 1982 Antecedent Report was 18 January 1982 after going missing on 9 January 1982. I calculate that as 9 days which is somehow 6 to 8 weeks after she disappeared.

From the article
"Crown prosecutor Craig Everson, SC, asked: “In light of the inquiries made with the unidentified human remains databases of the state of New South Wales and every other state and territory in Australia, have the remains of Lynette Joy Dawson been identified?”

“No,” Poole replied.
He was played a phone tap from the months before Dawson’s arrest in which the accused stated that he “still had contact with Lyn for like six or eight weeks” and that “you couldn’t report a person missing while you still had contact”.
Poole said he could not recall any reference to a specific timeframe in relevant missing person procedures.
Dawson claims he dropped Lynette off at a Mona Vale bus stop on January 9, 1982, and she called him at Northbridge Baths to say she “needed time away”. He reported her missing on February 18.
Asked by Everson whether he found any evidence pointing to the accused being in contact with Lynette for “like six to eight weeks”, Poole said “outside of his [Dawson’s] antecedents report and information within his interviews, there’s no other independent evidence in relation to any contact”."

 

[Cliff Hardy]

The Crown expected to close its case today.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

The defence seem to be relying almost entirely on 3 things :

1/ That Lyn was (supposedly) spotted a number of times since January 9th 1982.
2/ That Chris is of good character and that in particular phone calls recorded by police demonstrate that.
3/ Discrediting everything they can that the prosecution produce, including the prosecution's witnesses.

 

[Estelle]

The defence seem to be relying almost entirely on 3 things :

1/ That Lyn was (supposedly) spotted a number of times since January 9th 1982.
2/ That Chris is of good character and that in particular phone calls recorded by police demonstrate that.
3/ Discrediting everything they can that the prosecution produce, including the prosecution's witnesses.

No a very strong defence case then IMO.

 

[Bats]

The defence seem to be relying almost entirely on 3 things :

1/ That Lyn was (supposedly) spotted a number of times since January 9th 1982.
2/ That Chris is of good character and that in particular phone calls recorded by police demonstrate that.
3/ Discrediting everything they can that the prosecution produce, including the prosecution's witnesses.

I expect they'll also lean pretty heavily on the allegation happening 40 years ago and evidence lost.

 

[Podcast Tragic]

What is the point in playing recorded phone calls when they obviously knew they were being recorded ? Is the defense trying to put forward that poor CD'S feelings were hurt ????

 

[k-mac]

This has been pretty lack lustre.
Yet damning.....

what ya'll thoughts?

 

[k-mac]

Murder mural painted against Chris Dawson

Witness accounts that Lynette Dawson was seen bruised before she vanished in January 1982 were small pieces of a larger picture showing she was murdered by her husba...

www.denipt.com.au

Mr Everson said the Crown was attempting to show Dawson had three tendencies through its evidence: that he had an animosity towards his wife, that he had contemplated using a third party to kill her, and that he wanted the school student he was having an affair with, known as JC, to be his wife and the mother of his children.

The barrister described testimony heard by the court that Mrs Dawson had been seen with black eyes, and bruising on her arms and legs as a "small piece of a larger mural of circumstances".

 

[DRT]

What is the point in playing recorded phone calls when they obviously knew they were being recorded ? Is the defense trying to put forward that poor CD'S feelings were hurt ????

It allows Chris Dawson to have a say without going under oath and where he would be cross examined.

 

[DRT]

Murder mural painted against Chris Dawson

Witness accounts that Lynette Dawson was seen bruised before she vanished in January 1982 were small pieces of a larger picture showing she was murdered by her husba...

www.denipt.com.au

Mr Everson said the Crown was attempting to show Dawson had three tendencies through its evidence: that he had an animosity towards his wife, that he had contemplated using a third party to kill her, and that he wanted the school student he was having an affair with, known as JC, to be his wife and the mother of his children.

The barrister described testimony heard by the court that Mrs Dawson had been seen with black eyes, and bruising on her arms and legs as a "small piece of a larger mural of circumstances".

Every time I read stuff like this about any of the witnesses it really is an attempt to detract from the case by undermining witnesses. I am not going to republish what was said because Chris would have no knowledge of this and if he did it would be rumour. Damian Loone respectfully investigated the case independently doing his job under difficult circumstances. The attempts to denigrate him have been occurring since the 2nd inquest. I am 98% sure that people that retire , want to stay retired to enjoy life rather than work. That certainly is the case in everyone I know particularly with stressful jobs.

"He also accused the investigator who handled the case from 1998 to 2015, former detective Damian Loone, of wanting to resurrect his career. He alleged the police officer ..."

 

[Kemug]

Well, I'm convinced (rightly or wrongly) that CD is guilty, but I'm not sure they've got enough on him.

 

[Trooper]

Well, I'm convinced (rightly or wrongly) that CD is guilty, but I'm not sure they've got enough on him.

Me too. I have not undergone any Damascus Road experience in regard to Judge only trials for murder, specifically, men murdering their partners. I still think that Dawson took a huge gamble on wanting a judge only trial.

He must believe that it was of advantage to him. I happen to think it may well be a disadvantage. Time will tell.

I have a lot faith in the judicial process, and I believe this judge has a grip on the evidence presented.

Is there enough unarguable evidence? I think there is, I don't think I will ever claim that Lynn was not murdered. Was it Dawson?.. I reckon he did.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Today's Update from The Australian :​

Chris Dawson’s defence team will say as soon as Monday whether he will give evidence at his trial for the alleged murder of his first wife, Lynette.

In a jury trial, I would be absolutely astonished if Chris Dawson took the stand. But is it more likely he will in a judge only trial, like we have here?

 

[SouthAussie]

Today's Update from The Australian :​

Chris Dawson’s defence team will say as soon as Monday whether he will give evidence at his trial for the alleged murder of his first wife, Lynette.

In a jury trial, I would be absolutely astonished if Chris Dawson took the stand. But is it more likely he will in a judge only trial, like we have here?

Simon Gittany took the stand in his judge-only trial.
Lloyd Rayney did not take the stand in his judge-only trial.

Gittany lost his murder trial. Rayney won his murder trial.

Gittany takes the stand over fiancee's balcony death

The man accused of throwing his fiancee from a 15-storey building has taken the stand at his murder trial.

www.abc.net.au

Lloyd Rayney won't take witness stand

Lloyd Rayney will not take the witness stand at his Supreme Court murder trial, his lawyer confirmed today as the prosecution wrapped up its case against the Perth barrister.

thewest.com.au

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Simon Gittany took the stand in his judge-only trial.
Lloyd Rayney did not take the stand in his judge-only trial.

Gittany lost his murder trial. Rayney won his murder trial.

Gittany takes the stand over fiancee's balcony death

The man accused of throwing his fiancee from a 15-storey building has taken the stand at his murder trial.

www.abc.net.au

Lloyd Rayney won't take witness stand

Lloyd Rayney will not take the witness stand at his Supreme Court murder trial, his lawyer confirmed today as the prosecution wrapped up its case against the Perth barrister.

thewest.com.au

Interestingly, Rainey - the guy who didn't take the stand - had been a barrister and Crown prosecutor.