The judge presiding over the murder trial of Christopher Michael Dawson has questioned how he ought to apply a plethora of evidence in the case that suggested a violent and abusive marriage.
Justice Ian Harrison noted on Friday that while the case’s testimony and claims stated Lynette Dawson had been seen with bruises or black eyes, they did not specifically identify the person who had caused those injuries.
There don’t seem to be any glaring lights glowing here, in my opinion. It’s everything a little bit gloomy and dim, and I might need some special assistance,” he added.
The court questioned what he needed to take into account to conclude that Dawson was indeed the offender, even if 53 witnesses came forward to testify that Mrs. Dawson had injuries but were unable to identify the source of them.
He declared, “It’s a very, very troubling situation.”
Crown prosecutor Craig Everson SC sidestepped the query by claiming that the judge should instead focus on the murder accusation and whether the supporting evidence supported the essential features of this crime.
Although this has been refuted in testimony by family members, the prosecution has presented a parade of witnesses in the NSW Supreme Court who claim Dawson had a propensity to act violently or aggressively against his wife.
Although no body has ever been discovered, Dawson, now 73, is charged of killing his wife in January 1982 and disposing of her remains so he could have an unrestricted relationship with JC, his babysitter and former high school pupil.
He has entered a not guilty plea and has said he had nothing to do with his wife being missing.
Additionally on Friday, the court heard more testimony about an alleged conversation in which Dawson allegedly asked Robert Silkman, a fellow rugby league player, in 1975 whether he knew anyone who could divorce his wife.
When Silkman and buddy Ray Lee were seated next to each other on a crowded aircraft from the Gold Coast to Sydney, the claimed conversation took occurred.
Silkman, who has been found guilty of stealing multiple times and of starting a fire once, previously testified about the exchange.
He claims that following the Newtown Jets’ trip to the Gold Coast, where they had witnessed Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the fight dubbed the Thrilla in Manila, Dawson spoke to him while crouching down in the aisle of the jet.
Despite Silkman’s allegation that he was seated next to Mr. Lee during the alleged conversation, Mr. Lee, who was born in 1955, said on Friday that he does not recall it. However, he said that he did discuss the matter with his friend while he was in his 20s.
Greg Walsh, Dawson’s attorney, said it would be a conversation one would never forget if someone asked about getting rid of their wife.
Yes, as you would anticipate, Mr. Lee retorted.
While both of them were employed by the Qudos Bank Arena, detective senior constable Mark O’Reilly met security guard Silkman. He testified before the court that Silkman informed him of the purported plane discussion in September 2018.
He said that he had never spoken with Silkman about the idea of a prize for information, which was $200,000 in January 2014.
Dawson’s attorney has previously charged Silkman with fabricating the incident in order to collect the reward money.
Although Mr. Lee acknowledged that Silkman was a scallywag, he refuted claims that his friend was a “big-noter,” or someone who embellishes their accounts.
On Friday afternoon, author Rebecca Hazel returned to the witness stand and was cross-examined over conversations she had with retired officer Damian Loone in 2012.
During those interviews, Mr. Loone, who from 1998 to 2015 looked into Mrs. Dawson’s disappearance, stated that after speaking with JC, he was certain that Dawson was a murderer and that his instincts were always right.
“I’m more resolute as I get older.” Everyone knows who I am. She described him as adding, “Everyone knows I’m after him.
The Schoolgirl, Her Teacher, and His Wife, a novel by Ms. Hazel about Chris and Lynette Dawson and JC, was released in February 2019.
On Monday, the trial will continue.