The Teacher’s Pet: Ex-DPP Nicholas Cowdery slammed for suggesting Lyn Dawson could be alive

Former NSW DPP Nicholas Cowdery is slammed for suggesting Lyn Dawson could still be alive despite there being no trace of her for 36 years.

Former NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery says “without a body, without knowing first of all whether in fact she is dead ... it’s very hard to mount a case of a reasonable prospect of conviction’’.

Former NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas Cowdery QC has been slammed for “infuriating” comments on the Lyn Dawson cold case.

In an interview with the ABC’s Australian Story, Mr Cowdery suggested the missing Sydney mother could still be alive despite there being no trace of her for 36 years.

“Lyn Dawson disappeared. And that really is as far as I can take it in my own mind,” he told last night’s program.

Two coroners found, in 2001 and 2003, that Lyn was murdered by her husband Chris and should be prosecuted.

On both occasions Mr Cowdery — the DPP from 1994 until 2011 — refused to prosecute, citing insufficient evidence.

“Without a body, without knowing first of all whether in fact she is dead, without knowing secondly, if she is dead how she died, it’s very hard to mount a case of a reasonable prospect of conviction just on motive and the undefined existence of means and opportunity,” he said.

“That makes it very weak.”

Public pressure is mounting for murder trial over Lyn Dawson cold case. Former DPP Nicholas Cowdery says he didn’t originally lay charges due to lack of evidence #AustralianStory https://t.co/T9JvNOyqhb pic.twitter.com/mpAyT2Wtm8

— Australian Story (@AustralianStory) September 9, 2018

Lyn’s cousin Allyson Jennings said she was “yelling at the TV” after Mr Cowdery’s comments.

“In my opinion it’s pretty disgusting,’’ she told The Australian. “Police know through experience if their bank accounts are not touched, they’re not registered anywhere, they don’t have a passport, nothing, they’re dead.

“He’s just basically dismissed that. I just found that so infuriating.”

The ABC program — and a separate report on Nine’s 60 Minutes on Sunday — followed The Australian’s investigative podcast series The Teacher’s Pet, which examined Lyn’s 1982 disappearance.

Read more our about the disappearance of Lyn Dawson here

Listen to The Teacher’s Pet podcast series here

The “irony in all this” was that Mr Cowdery was the chair of White Ribbon, the not-for-profit organisation that campaigns to prevent violence against women, Ms Jennings said.

“He’s out of touch. I was quite shocked when I read it (that he was White Ribbon chair). A lot of people I’ve spoken to about it, they’re quite shocked too,’’ she said.

“He’s got some explaining to do. This whole case, with Lyn there and with the school, domestic violence is one of the core issues and core factors in it.”

She added: “He ignored the coroners, he ignored the police, and he’s fixated on ‘you have to have a body’.”

Lyn’s brother Greg Simms added that he was “not impressed” with Mr Cowdery.

What happened to Lyn Dawson? 'The Teacher's Wife' tonight at 8pm on #AustralianStory pic.twitter.com/N2lfcrA38e

— ABC TV Australia (@ABCTV) September 9, 2018

There has also been a furious reaction on social media to the comments.

“Congratulations @AustralianStory on getting the former DPP to even speak regarding the Lyn Dawson matter,” tweeted Mark Leveson.

“Just a pity his mouth was moving but no logical words were emerging. Good on Mick Fuller for making a positive commitment. OK DPP, the ball is now in your court.”

Mr Leveson and his wife Faye have had no justice over the death of their son Matthew, whose remains were found in May last year, after he was last seen at a Sydney nightclub in 2007.

Congratulations @AustralianStory on getting the former DPP to even speak regarding the Lynette Dawson matter. Just a pity his mouth was moving but no logical words were emerging. Good on Mick Fuller for making a positive committtment. OK DPP, the ball is now in your court.

— Mark Leveson (@MarkLeveson) September 10, 2018

White Ribbon could not be reached for comment.

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