Delays as Chris Dawson murder trial is adjourned

Chris Dawson’s murder trial has been adjourned until next Tuesday, with Covid halting proceedings.

Chris Dawson’s murder trial has been adjourned after the prosecutor came down with Covid. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

The trial of Chris Dawson for the alleged murder of his wife Lynette four decades ago has been brought to a standstill by a very modern problem – Covid.

Prosecutor Craig Everson SC had attended proceedings as usual on Monday but was not in court when the trial resumed on Tuesday morning.

Prosecutor Emma Blizard stood up in his place and said Mr Everson had tested positive to Covid with a rapid antigen test on Monday night and again on Tuesday.

Craig Everson’s Covid diagnosis has halted the Chris Dawson trial. Picture: Richard Dobson

Ms Blizard requested an adjournment until Tuesday next week, when Mr Everson would hopefully have recovered and the Supreme Court trial could once more restart.

Judge Ian Harrison granted the adjournment to the trial, currently in its fourth week.

Covid has been an ever-­present risk in the courts, which until recently had been closed to the public as a precaution against the virus. Everyone in the court building in Queens Square in Sydney is required to wear a mask while inside.

Court staff have been vigilant in ensuring compliance, and even scrupulously wipe down each X-ray tray after use. An exception is when witnesses giving evidence are asked to remove masks so they can be clearly heard and seen.

Justice Harrison is appropriately socially distanced from others and is not required to wear a mask. The prosecutor and defence lawyer are also exempt as they take evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

Many of those who have taken the stand in the Dawson trial have been of advancing years, as would be expected in a case that relates to an alleged murder 40 years ago.

The public gallery has also been filled with Lyn Dawson’s friends stretching back to childhood. They are in a higher-risk demographic from a potential Covid outbreak in the confined space of a courtroom. Lyn herself would now be 73.

A middle-aged woman appeared to be standing by on audio­visual link to be a witness when the announcement was made that the trial would have to be postponed.

Minutes before the court resumed, defence lawyer Greg Walsh delivered the news to journalists in a few short words.

“Have you heard what’s happened? Crown. Covid.”

Justice Harrison alluded to the NSW Covid regulation that would require Mr Everson to go into isolation for seven days.

Even with the delay, Ms Blizard told the court that the crown case was still on track to close near the end of next week.

The defence has additional witnesses they have requested to be made available for cross-examination, including journalist Hedley Thomas, creator of The Teacher’s Pet podcast.

Mr Dawson’s brother Paul and his wife, Marilyn, are among those who could be called as witnesses next week.

The trial is also yet to hear from Robert Silkman, the new witness who has claimed Mr Dawson approached him on a plane and asked for help to get rid of Lyn six years before she went missing from Sydney’s northern beaches.

Mr Dawson, 73, a former high school physical education teacher and professional footballer, has pleaded not guilty.

Coming soon: Episode four of ­­The Teacher’s Trial will be released this week. Catch up with developments at www.theteacherstrial.com.au