An Australian former highschool instructor has been jailed for twenty-four years for murdering his spouse 40 years in the past – after a preferred podcast triggered a brand new police investigation.
Chris Dawson, 74, was the topic of hit podcast, The Teacher’s Pet after being accused of killing Lynette Dawson in January 1982, though her physique was by no means discovered.
A 2003 inquest had beneficial charging Dawson along with his spouse’s homicide, however prosecutors declined, citing a scarcity of proof.
The chilly case towards him was reopened after the 2018 podcast put strain on the police to revisit their investigation.
It set out a circumstantial case that the ex-rugby league participant had murdered his spouse.
In August this yr, he was discovered responsible of the crime to pursue a relationship with a teenage pupil he was having an affair with, and who had babysat and lived in his Sydney dwelling.
He was tried with no jury as a result of publicity surrounding the case.
Dawson’s authorized staff had argued The Teacher’s Pet, a true-crime podcast produced by News Corp’s The Australian newspaper, denied him a good trial due to the way in which he was depicted.
Judge Harrison had agreed the podcast – a primary hit the paper says has been downloaded greater than 50 million occasions – had solid Dawson in a unfavourable mild, however had not factored into the decision.
Sentencing him at New South Wales Supreme Court, Judge Ian Harrison stated Dawson’s declare that his spouse had left him was fanciful.
“Dawson has enjoyed until his arrest 36 years in the community, unimpeded by the taint of a conviction for killing his wife, or by any punishment for doing so,” he stated.
“In a practical sense, his denial of responsibility for that crime has benefited him in obvious ways.”
Dawson has insisted he was not concerned in his spouse’s disappearance.
His lawyer stated he can be interesting towards the sentence. “He maintains his innocence,” he informed reporters on Friday.
Dawson might be eligible for parole in 2040, when he’s 92 years previous.
Greg Simms, Lynette Dawson’s brother, stated the household welcomed the sentence.
“We respect and thank Judge Harrison for his sentence, and hope Chris Dawson lives a long life in order to serve that sentence,” he stated.
Dan Doherty, a detective concerned within the police investigation, stated whereas the sentence would convey consolation to the household, the case stays open because the sufferer’s physique has nonetheless not been discovered.
Source: information.sky.com”