Court shock: Chris Dawson 'tried to hire hit man'

All that was revealed on the first day of Chris Dawson's murder trial.

All that was revealed on the first day of Chris Dawson's murder trial.

Former football star and teacher Chris Dawson allegedly sought a hit man to kill his wife Lynette (Lyn) Dawson.

At the end of the 1981 school year, a younger love-interest, only known to the court as "JC", allegedly travelled with Dawson to a pub or club south of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

It is expected that JC will testify in court that when Dawson came out of the pub or club, he told her he had thought about getting a hit man "but decided against it because innocent people would be hurt”.

Chris Dawson arrives at the Supreme Court in Sydney for the first day of his trial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

These revelations were part of the opening address of Crown prosecutor Craig Everson SC on day one of Dawson's murder trial.

The crown alleges that on January 8, 1982, either alone or with another person, Dawson murdered his wife Lyn, a nurse and childcare worker. He then, possibly with assistance, disposed of the 33-year-olds body at an unknown location. 

The court was told Dawson, now 73, was "motivated to kill his wife Lynette by his desire to have an unfettered relationship” with JC.

Former Newtown Jets rugby league player Dawson has pleaded not guilty to the murder. He reported his wife missing six weeks after her disappearance.

Lyn (Lynette) Dawson.

To recap

Dawson, a former Newtown Jets player, was charged with Lyn's murder in 2018 following years of public scrutiny.

Until this point, Dawson had submitted a number of applications to indefinitely quash the proceedings - also known as a “permanent stay”.

In 2020, Justice Elizabeth Fullerton ordered a temporary pause for the trial until at least June 2021 due to the public commentary and media attention on the case. However, she still ruled Dawson could receive a fair trial later down the track.

The Oz  previously reported the fate of alleged murderer Chris Dawson will be decided by a single judge, after the ex-footballer successfully argued a fair trial would not be possible in front of a jury.

What do we know about JC?

In 1980, Dawson developed a sexual relationship with a young woman known here as JC, Mr Everson told the court. 

“He was infatuated with her ... He repeatedly asked her to marry him," Mr Everson said.

On December 21, 1981, he got a real estate agent to value he and Lyn's home at Bayview "without the support of his wife". The next day he left his wife and two young children "with a view to starting a new life" with JC.

But a few days later, on Christmas, JC became sick and said she missed her family. Later she said she wanted to end the relationship.

About a week after Lyn disappeared, Dawson collected JC from South West Rocks, before driving her back to Bayview. He told JC "Lynette was gone, and she wouldn’t be coming back". 

Christopher (Chris) and Lynette (Lyn) Dawson on their wedding day.

The teammate

On October 1, 1975, members of the Newtown rugby league team travelled to the Gold Coast for an end of season holiday.

On the flight home, Chris Dawson approached second grade teammate Robert Silkman, a man with "some admitted criminal connections", Mr Everson said.

“The crown alleges that the accused asked Mr Silkman if he knew someone who could get rid of his wife.”

That was six years before the Crown claim he murdered Lyn Dawson, but the request went no further than that.

Chris and Lyn's relationship

Dawson and Lyn were both 21 years-old when they got married in 1970, the court heard.

Lyn Dawson in 1978 with her daughter.

When Lyn was unable to have children to coincide with Dawson's twin brother Paul, Mr Everson said it "caused a level of animosity by the accused to Lynette Dawson".

Mr Everson said the evidence would show Lyn was a loving mother to her two young children. 

On Wednesday, Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison will decide whether certain witnesses with “observations of violence” would be allowed to give evidence. This evidence allegedly included seeing bruises on Lyn and Mr Dawson once describing his wife as a “fat and ugly bitch”.

Chris Dawson surrounded by media on the day of the first day of his trial on May 9. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Defence barrister Pauline David said seeing a bruise was not the same as seeing how the bruise was caused.

The trial was adjourned until Wednesday when defence barrister Pauline David will give her opening address.