May 12th 2024.
After almost two years since being convicted of killing his wife to be with a teenage student, Chris Dawson is finally getting the chance to appeal the verdict in court. Back in August 2022, Justice Ian Harrison declared that Dawson had murdered his wife and disposed of her body on January 9, 1982 due to his infatuation with the young girl. Now, at 75 years old, Dawson is determined to overturn the conviction through a three-day hearing in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal which is set to start on Monday.
If his attempt is unsuccessful, the former PE teacher and rugby league player for the Newtown Jets will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. His maximum prison sentence of 24 years is set to expire in August 2046, when he would be in his mid-90s. However, even if he is granted parole in August 2041, his sentence was extended by a year due to an additional charge of unlawful carnal knowledge with the same underage student.
The fact that Lynette Dawson's body has never been found means that Dawson could potentially be denied parole until he reveals the location of her remains. This is due to laws that prevent convicted murderers from being paroled unless they disclose the location of their victims. Dawson firmly believes that Justice Harrison's ruling was based on unreasonable and unsupported findings, and that there was not enough evidence to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. He argues that the judge could not have used alleged lies he told at the time as proof of his consciousness of guilt. Additionally, there is no concrete evidence to show that Mrs. Dawson was not still alive after the supposed date of her murder in 1982.
In the meantime, if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please seek help from organizations such as 1800 RESPECT or Lifeline at 13 11 14.
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