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Woman cured of Type 1 diabetes in life-changing clinical trial

Marlaina Goedel was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was just five-years-old, and not only was the disease controlling her, but it almost cost her life. "I've crashed my car into a brick building before having a diabetic attack while driving," Goedel recalled. Her condition was so extreme that she felt robbed of a normal childhood, telling the Daily Mail that she was in and out of hospital with life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis, which causes toxic chemicals to build up in the blood due to a lack of insulin. Now 30-years-old, the Illinois woman no longer needs daily insulin shots and can finally enjoy sugar again thanks to a pioneering stem cell therapy that has cured her of type 1 diabetes. Goedel was one of three Americans who have been cured of their type 1 diabetes thanks to the clinical trial involving an islet cell transplant. It is a one-off infusion that involved transplanting islet cells into her liver to help her body produce insulin on its own. After four weeks, she no longer needed to take insulin. "[My doctor] said, ‘Mark it on your calendar. Today is the day. Stop all insulin,'" Goedel said of the life-changing moment. "I just went quiet and finally said, ‘I’m here. I’m in shock. I’m going to need you to repeat that.’" The trial was being run at the University of Chicago Medicine Transplant Institute. While Islet cell transplants isn't a new procedure, the current anti-rejection medication used can be toxic to the transplanted cells, potentially making it less effective over time. The clinical trial that ran at the university tested out a new antibody called tegoprubart, which was given to Goedel and the two other patients. Tegoprubart is made from lab-made antibodies that trick the immune system into thinking the body made the cells on its own, preventing them from being rejected. The patients were then given islet cells from a deceased donor's pancreas, which were then infused into the patient's small blood vessels in their liver. Those cells then lodged into the blood vessels and started producing insulin. For Goedel the only side effect of the procedure was "feeling like I got punched in the ribs," with the procedure lasting just an hour. "The cure is out there," Goedel told the Daily Mail. With her new lease on life, Goedel plans to go back to school and go horse riding without worrying about suffering an attack and causing an accident. "It took a while to get used to saying, 'I am cured. I am diabetes free.' It's been very freeing," she said. "No one should have to live with this disease. I know that now more than ever." Images: Good Morning America/ UChicago Medicine

Caring

Why is it so hard to cancel subscriptions or end ‘free’ trials? Report shows how companies trap you into paying

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katharine-kemp-402096">Katharine Kemp</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Many businesses are trapping Australian consumers in paid subscriptions by making them hard to cancel, hiding important details and offering “free” trials that auto-renew with hefty charges. We need law reform to tackle this continuing problem. <a href="https://cprc.org.au/report/let-me-out">A new report</a> shows 75% of Australian consumers have had negative experiences when trying to cancel a subscription, according to the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). It shows businesses use “<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-spot-avoid-dark-patterns/">dark patterns</a>”, which are designs that hinder consumers who try to act in their own best interests. Subscription traps are often called “<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2022/11/checking-out-ftcs-100-million-settlement-vonage">Hotel California</a>” techniques, referring to The Eagles’ famous lyric: “you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave”. In some of these cases, consumers may have remedies under our existing consumer law, including for misleading conduct. But we need law reform to capture other <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2023-430458">unfair practices</a>. In the meantime, the CPRC’s research also gives examples of businesses with fair, consumer-friendly subscription practices. These also benefit the business. <h2>Examples of unfair subscription traps</h2> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2022/09/12/the-evolution-of-the-subscription-model-and-whats-on-the-horizon/">Subscription business models</a> have become common – many products are now provided in the form of software, an app or access to a website. Some of these would once have been a physical book, newspaper, CD or exercise class. Most people who use online services have experienced the frustration of finding a credit card charge for an unwanted, unused subscription or spending excessive time trying to cancel a subscription. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=643&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=643&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=643&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=808&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=808&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=808&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Infographic with a few statistics from the report." /></a><figcaption><a class="source" href="https://cprc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CPRC_LetMeOut_SubsTraps_Report_FINAL.pdf">CPRC, Let me out – Subscription trap practices in Australia, August 2024</a></figcaption></figure> Businesses can make it difficult for consumers to stop paying for unwanted subscriptions. Some do this by allowing consumers to start a subscription with a single click, but creating multiple obstacles if you want to end the subscription. This can include obscuring cancellation options in the app, requiring consumers to phone during business hours or making them navigate through multiple steps and offers before terminating. The report points out many of the last-ditch discounts offered in this process are only short term. One survey respondent said: <blockquote> I wasn’t able to cancel without having to call up and speak to someone. Their business hours meant I had to call up during my work day and it took some time to action. </blockquote> Other businesses badger consumers with frequent emails or messages after they cancel. One respondent said a business made “the cancellation process impossible by making you call and then judging your reason for cancellation”. <h2>What does consumer law say?</h2> Some subscription traps already fall foul of the Australian Consumer Law and warrant investigation by the <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-warns-consumers-to-beware-of-subscription-traps">Australian Competition & Consumer Commission</a> (ACCC). Consumers may have remedies where the business has engaged in misleading conduct or imposes an unfair contract term. For example, the ACCC is <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-court-action-against-eharmony-for-alleged-misleading-online-dating-membership-statements#:%7E:text=The%20ACCC%20has%20today%20commenced%20proceedings%20in%20the,the%20pricing%2C%20renewal%20and%20duration%20of%20its%20memberships.">suing dating site eHarmony</a> for its allegedly misleading subscription practices. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling">has filed a complaint against software company Adobe</a> for allegedly using dark patterns in its subscription practices. The Federal Trade Commission has alleged that “Adobe pushed consumers toward the ‘annual paid monthly’ subscription without adequately disclosing that cancelling the plan in the first year could cost hundreds of dollars”. Adobe <a href="https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2024/Adobes-Recent-Statement-Regarding-Updated-Federal-Trade-Commission-Complaint-/default.aspx">issued a statement</a> arguing the commission’s complaint “mischaracterises” its business. The litigation is ongoing. <h2>We need an unfair practices prohibition</h2> Some subscription traps would fall outside the existing consumer law. This is because they don’t meet the test for misleading conduct or unfair contract terms, but make it practically very difficult to cancel. The <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-welcomes-consultation-on-possible-unfair-trading-practices-regulatory-reforms">ACCC has advocated</a> for Australia to follow other countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States to enact an unfair practices prohibition to capture conduct like this. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=769&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=769&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=769&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=966&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=966&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=966&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>The shift businesses can make today. <a class="source" href="https://cprc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CPRC_LetMeOut_SubsTraps_Report_FINAL.pdf">CPRC, Let me out – Subscription trap practices in Australia, August 2024</a></figcaption></figure> <h2>Better practices benefit businesses too</h2> The CPRC report also revealed that 90% of Australians would likely purchase from the same organisation if cancelling a subscription process was quick and simple. Businesses focused on a short-sighted cash grab fail to realise that consumers might cancel but later return if treated well. The CPRC highlights businesses that are doing a good job. For instance, the habit change app Atoms (based on James Clear’s book Atomic Habits) has a genuinely free trial. It doesn’t require credit card details, doesn’t auto-renew, and lets consumers know how many trial days remain. The CPRC says the charity World Vision doesn’t auto-renew annual sponsorships, but reminds supporters about when the sponsorship will lapse. Importantly, some businesses – such as Netflix – use their data for good in this context. They notice when users are paying for the service without using it and help them unsubscribe. These practices should be applauded. But we need an unfair practices prohibition for businesses who don’t follow suit and recognise the long-term benefits of treating customers fairly.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/237236/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katharine-kemp-402096">Katharine Kemp</a>, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law & Justice; Lead, UNSW Public Interest Law & Tech Initiative, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-is-it-so-hard-to-cancel-subscriptions-or-end-free-trials-report-shows-how-companies-trap-you-into-paying-237236">original article</a>. </div>

Money & Banking

Decision reached over Ed Sheeran's copyright trial

Ed Sheeran has emerged victorious from a lengthy legal battle that claimed he "ripped off" another popular song. Sheeran, 32, was being sued over his 2014 single Thinking Out Loud by Structured Asset Sales, who claim that Sheeran's hit took elements directly from Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On. On Thursday, the court ruled that the British singer-songwriter did not plagiarise the song, with the jury of three men and four women only taking three hours to reach a decision. Sheeran stood up and hugged his team after jurors ruled that he “independently” created his song, as he stopped outside the courtroom to thank those who supported him through the legal battle. The pop star added he was “unbelievably frustrated that baseless claims like this” even make it to court. “I’m just a guy with a guitar who loves writing music for people to enjoy. I am not and will never allow myself to be a piggy bank for anyone to shake,” he said outside the court. Sheeran revealed he missed his grandmother’s funeral in Ireland as he sat through the “bogus” and “dangerous” lawsuit that claimed he stole key elements for his hit song. “These cords are common building blocks which were used to create music long before Let’s Get it On was written. Will be used to make music long after we are all gone,” Sheeran said. “They are a songwriter’s alphabet. Our toolkit. And should be there for all of us to use. No one owns them. Or the way they are played. In the same way nobody owns the colour blue.” Ed's victory comes after he declared that if he had lost the case, he would've <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/music/i-m-done-why-ed-sheeran-is-threatening-to-quit-music" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quit</a> the music industry all together. Outside the court room on Monday when the court proceedings were still in progress, he expressed his exasperation over the case, and made a bold statement about the future of his career. "If that happens, I'm done, I'm stopping," Sheeran said, according to reports from <a title="People" href="https://people.com/music/ed-sheeran-done-if-he-loses-lets-get-it-on-copyright-lawsuit/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">People</a>. "I find it to be really insulting," Sheeran added. "I work really hard to be where I'm at." Image credits: Getty Images

Music

"Dramatic result": New drug shows hope for slowing down Alzheimer's disease

A trial drug has shown "significant" results in slowing down Alzheimer's disease, with Australian healthcare experts hopeful in where this breakthrough can take their research. The drug, known as Lecanemab, has been proven to reduce cognitive decline by 27 per cent compared to placebo, according to an overseas study. More than 1,700 patients with mild cognitive impairment were enrolled in the study and the results were collected over 18 months. "Functionally and cognitively, it seems they did better and so that is a dramatic result," Dr Lawrence Honig, one of the study investigators from Columbia University Medical Centre, said. The drug works by removing the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain which is one of the hallmarks of the disease, which featured in the scans of each study participant. Australian experts are excited about the findings, and how this can further their research. "This is the first time we've seen a drug like this have these kinds of effects," Professor Sharon Naismith, Clinical Neuropsychologist & NHMRC Dementia Leadership Fellow at the University of Sydney, said. "The results of this trial have massive implications for our resourcing." Naismith warns there's a need to spend more money on better diagnosing patients with mild cognitive impairment. "In the past there has been a lot of reluctance from healthcare physicians to diagnose or ask about cognitive impairment, even in primary care," she said. She said being able to access a drug that can slow cognitive decline will change the paradigm and conversation around Alzheimer's disease. "I do think we're going to get a real avalanche of people coming to GPs and coming to memory clinics for that reason," she said. Professor Kathryn Goozee, Director of KaRa Minds at Macquarie Park said the study showed using an antibody to target amyloid in the brain can help with cognition. "To date there has been no disease-modifying medication so we want to be offering studies that can potentially change that trajectory," Goozee said. The full details of the results will be presented at an international conference of experts in the US in late November. Image credits: 9News

Mind

Detailed look at Chris Dawson's first day behind bars

After being found guilty of killing his wife, convicted murder Chris Dawson has spent his first night at Silverwater prison, located in NSW. Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison declared the 74-year-old guilty of murdering his wife Lynette and disposing of her body in 1982, after a lengthy trial. Here is exactly how his first night in prison played out. Upon arrival at the Silverwater facility, he was body-scanned or strip-searched and his clothing was replaced with the prison kit. Each prisoner is issued with a razor, toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. Until Dawson receives a security classification number, he will remain at Silverwater, then he will be sent to a prison that matches that classification. Prisoners at Silverwater consume one hot meal a day, served at 3 pm in their cell. The inmates also receive rations doled out in either the morning or evening, including milk, cereal and seven slices of bread to go with the sachets of coffee and prison-issue tea bags. After 3pm, prisoners remain in their cell alone until the strict 7 am wake-up call. Following the guilty verdict, Dawson’s lawyer Greg Walsh said he would likely apply for his client to be released on bail on the basis that his client wasn’t well. “He’s been suffering from cognitive problems and also a lot of other physical problems,” he said, adding that Dawson had been diagnosed with dementia and had problems with his hips and knees. “Whether I proceed with that application, I don’t know, but the judge hasn’t set a sentencing date yet, so it may well be that I don’t proceed with that application at this stage.” Walsh claims Dawson was upset following the verdict and would likely appeal against his conviction, as he remains adamant of his absolute innocence. Image: 7News

News

Stunning Chris Dawson verdict handed down

Former rugby player Chris Dawson has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Lynette Dawson, 40 years after she disappeared. After a four-hour reading, Justice Ian Harrison delivered his verdict on Tuesday afternoon, bringing <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/legal/chris-dawson-to-stand-trial-over-wife-s-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the two-month trial</a> to an end. “Chris Dawson I find you guilty of the murder of Lynette Dawson,” he told the accused. According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2022/aug/30/australia-news-chris-dawson-covid-isolation-politics-anthony-albanese-skills-summit-tax-cuts#top-of-blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian</a>, gasps were heard in the courtroom where Justice Harrison was delivering his verdict. The courtroom next door, where the trial was being live streamed, erupted into applause. Dawson was alleged to have killed his wife to be with the family’s teenage babysitter, referred to as JC. Lynette was last seen on January 8, 1982, after she spoke to her mother on the phone. Her body was never found. Since Dawson successfully applied for a judge-only trial - due mainly to the publicity generated around the case by the Teacher’s Pet podcast - Justice Harrison was required to outline the reasons behind his decision. Justice Harrison said the prosecution had to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Lynette was dead, that Dawson had killed her with the possible involvement of assistance of others, and that he disposed of her body. The Supreme Court justice shared several findings to support his decision and weighed in on evidence presented during the trial, including ruling that Lynette had died on the date alleged by the prosecution and dismissing claims from Dawson that he contacted his wife as “lies”. Justice Harrison said it was “simply absurd” and defied “common sense” that Lynette would be in contact with the person “who was the reason for her departure” from her home. He also ruled that Lynette didn’t leave home voluntarily, with the prosecution providing multiple reasons that were “strongly persuasive” when considered together, including that she adored her children, hadn’t taken any clothing or personal items with her, was mentally stable, and was dependent on her husband to drive her everywhere. “Lynette Dawson is dead … she died on or about 8 January 1982 and she did not voluntarily abandon her home,” he told the court. Justice Harrison <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/legal/i-had-visual-contact-with-lyn-dawson-court-hears" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dismissed claims</a> from the defence that Lynette was spotted after January 8. He found that Dawson told JC, “Lyn’s gone, she’s not coming back, come back to Sydney and help look after the kids and live with me”, when he picked her up from a camping trip at South West Rocks with friends between January 10 and 12. However, he said that he disagreed with claims that Dawson was motivated to kill his wife because of financial reasons, nor that he had in his mind that he would kill her when he left with JC. “That decision was made following their return and after the teen had left for South-West Rocks,” Justice Harrison said. He said that he was “satisfied” that Dawson resolved to kill Lynette while JC was camping. Following the verdict, Dawson was taken into custody, with his lawyer, Greg Walsh, telling Justice Harrison that Dawson would likely apply for bail before his sentencing hearing, a date for which hasn’t been set yet. Images: @poppymasselos (Twitter) / @Kangaroo_Court (Twitter)

News

This EU country is the first to trial digital passports

Finland will be the first country to trial digital passports that would allow people to travel without paper documents. Instead, travellers will be able to use a mobile app that stores digital copies of their important travel documents, as reported by the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/finland-set-to-become-the-first-eu-country-to-trial-digital-passports/MDLD7UORHB4GACBOZ35SZ3NUQQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a>. A successful trial would be a big step towards EU-wide adoption of digital passports, but Europeans shouldn’t be ditching their paper passports just yet. Mikko Väisänen, an inspector of the Finnish Border Guard, said the trial is dependent on the Finnish government finishing the drafting of a funding application which will be submitted to the European Commission at the end of the month. Once the funding is approved, a select group of volunteers will be able to take part in the pilot run, held at Helsinki Airport for flights between Finland and Croatia. The volunteers will still need their paper passports, but will be given a mobile app to download onto their phone so they can share the necessary information with border security. Väisänen said that adopting digital passports wouldn’t just make the lives of travellers easier, especially for those who forget or lose their documents while abroad, but can also make border checks more efficient. Christoph Wolff, the Head of Mobility at the World Economic Forum, agreed, saying that electronic, paperless systems could be key to managing demand in airports. "By 2030, international air arrivals are expected to reach 1.8 billion passengers, up 50 per cent from 2016. Under today's systems, airports cannot keep up with this growth," he said. If the Finnish government’s application is successful, the trial would begin at the end of 2022. Image: Getty Images

International Travel

“May justice be done”: Ben Roberts-Smith’s trial comes to an end

The defamation trial launched by Ben Roberts-Smith against Nine newspapers has come to an end after four years, with Justice Anthony Besanko left with the final task of condemning or clearing the war veteran’s name. Mr Roberts-Smith’s lawyers are hoping that finding in their client’s favour will see his name cleared and result in the largest defamation payout in history, while a finding in favour of his journalist opponents could validate their claims he committed “the most heinous acts of criminality” while serving in the SAS. The lengthy case drew to a close on Wednesday after over 100 days of evidence, more than $25 million in legal fees and two weeks of closing speeches. Arthur Moses SC, Mr Roberts-Smith’s barrister, used his closing statement to push the fact that Nine had the burden of proof to prove their claims the Victoria Cross recipient had murdered unarmed prisoners, “(Nine) published allegations and stories as fact that condemned Mr Roberts-Smith as being guilty of the most heinous acts of criminality that could be made against a member of the Australian Defence Force, and indeed any citizen,” Mr Moses said. “It depends upon recollection of events that occurred during missions more than 10 years ago… Recollections which are contradicted either by their own witnesses, our witnesses and Defence Force documents.” “They have urged upon the court a case which is one of mere suspicion, surmise and guesswork to condemn a man, who served his nation with great distinction, as a war criminal.” Mr Moses called on Justice Besanko to reject Nine’s case “in all forms”. Meanwhile, Nicholas Owens SC, representing Nine, closed his case by returning to the claims and counterclaims, including the question of Mr Roberts-Smith’s motive in killing six detained Afghans when he had transported hundreds of others safely back to Australia bases, which Mr Roberts-Smith said Nine had left unanswered. When he opened his case in June 2021, Mr Owens said that even “the most brutal, vile member of the Taliban imaginable” can’t be killed once detained and “to do so is murder”. On Wednesday, he returned to this point and said Mr Roberts-Smith killed the detainees simply because they were “enemy combatants”. “We say that was a powerful motive that operated in relation to all of these incidents… it was a motive to kill Taliban insurgents regardless of the lawfulness of doing so,” Mr Owens told the court. Justice Besanko thanked lawyers on both sides, as well as the legal team for the Commonwealth government who had been on-hand every single day in court to keep highly classified material out of the public sphere. With the trial conducting itself in a combination of open and closed court, with sensitive information and testimonies being held in closed court, the full scope of evidence Justice Besanko must consider isn’t well-known. It is also unknown just how long it will take Justice Besanko to reach a verdict, given the sheer volume of evidence and documents, but it is expected to take many months. Nick McKenzie, one of the journalists Mr Roberts-Smith launched his case against, took to social media following the trial’s conclusion to summarise the claims made against Mr Roberts-Smith and call for justice to be done. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Roberts-Smith trial is now over, save for judgment. 4 years ago RS launched it. Such stress for all involved: SAS eye witnesses who accuse RS of murders/cliffkicking of innocent Afghan father, Afghans who witnessed the same, brave woman who spoke up about DV. May justice be done. — Nick McKenzie (@Ageinvestigates) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ageinvestigates/status/1552124223669149696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2022</a></blockquote> “Roberts-Smith trial is now over, save for judgement,” the Age journalist wrote. “4 years ago RS (Roberts-Smith) launched it. Such stress for all involved: SAS eye witnesses who accuse RS of murders/kicking of innocent Afghan father, Afghans who witnessed the same, brave woman who spoke up about (domestic violence). “May justice be done.” Image: Getty Images

Legal

Chris Dawson trial reaches its conclusion

Chris Dawson’s murder trial has finally ended with the judge promising to reach a verdict “relatively quickly”. The former Sydney school teacher has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife Lynette, who went missing from the family home in Sydney's Northern Beaches in January 1982. Following a seven week long trial at The Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison said he will reveal his verdict as soon as possible. On the final day of hearing, the crown alleged that the former rugby player had an "unfettered relationship" with the family’s babysitter, known in court as JC. The babysitter was also a student at the same school Dawson taught at and he eventually married her before seeing Lynette as an “impediment” on his relationship with JC. Dawson’s barrister Pauline David told the court that Lynette would have been "understandably, deeply hurt" by her husband’s relationship with JC but she chose to leave her family behind. "We say notwithstanding his relationship, however inappropriate, the defence position is that doesn't make him a murderer," Ms David told the court, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-11/chris-dawson-murder-verdict-expected-quickly-judge-says/101227050" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> reported. Dawson maintains his innocence and told the court that he dropped his wife off at a bus stop in Mona Vale on January 9, 1982 where they agreed to meet up to pick up the kids at the swimming pools. During a police interview he claims that Lynette called him saying she needed time away to think. He told police that Lynette called him again multiple times over the following weeks with the topic along the same lines. His defence team are relying on the phone calls, Lynette’s bank statement, as well as alleged sightings of his wife five times between 1982 and 1984. Ms David told the court that it is a hypothesis which has not yet been thrown out by the courts. "I hope to be able to provide my judgement relatively quickly," Justice Harrison said at the conclusion of the submissions. "That doesn't mean tomorrow, I can assure you." Image: ABC

News

Big names touted to star in TV series of Dawson trial

The story of Lynette Dawson’s disappearance is set to become a TV series, the court has heard. Chris Dawson has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife Lynette, who went missing from the family home in Sydney's Northern Beaches in January 1982. The Supreme Court heard that Hedley Thomas from News Corp, the media organisation behind the podcast The Teacher’s Pet, have signed with American production company Blumhouse. It comes as Thomas faces a second day of questioning for his role in attempting to persuade witnesses to come forward with promises of a TV series which would see them walk the red carpet alongside the likes of Hugh Jackman and Joel Edgerton. "You appreciated that would have been attractive to them?" Dawson's barrister Pauline David asked him, <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/story-of-lynette-dawsons-disappearance-to-become-tv-series-court-hears/fca5bd34-5966-480d-80d2-4e5006e9907f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine News</a> reported. "Possibly, to some. It might have been very unattractive to others, who were introverted or didn't want to be involved," Thomas replied. Thomas then argued that he was just having a bit of fun and that his podcast was already completed well before any contract was offered for a TV show. The defence however claim that Thomas’s involvement with witnesses helped corrupt them in the trial against Dawson, who still maintains his innocence. He explained that the individuals are intelligent and are able to make their own decisions. The trial continues. Image: Nine News

‘Teacher’s Pet’ journalist takes stand in Chris Dawson trial

The journalist whose podcast, The Teacher’s Pet, brought global attention to Lynette Dawson’s disappearance has taken the stand in Chris Dawson’s murder trial, telling the court he wasn’t out to “condemn” Mr Dawson. Hedley Thomas, a journalist with The Australian, is one of the final witnesses the prosecution will call in the Supreme Court trial, during which Mr Dawson has denied killing his wife Lynette 40 years ago, per <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/300562138/the-teachers-pet-chris-dawson-to-face-murder-trial-over-death-of-his-wife-whose-body-has-never-been-found" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. Ms Dawson’s disappearance from her home on Sydney’s northern beaches in January, 1982, was the subject of investigation in Mr Thomas’ podcast, which was downloaded 60 million times internationally. Mr Thomas began investigating the case in 2017 and spoke with Ms Dawson’s family about seeking “justice”. “Justice for Lyn meant to you, didn’t it, the prosecution of Christoper Dawson?” Pauline David, Mr Dawson’s barrister, asked Mr Thomas on Monday. “Yes, I think that that is a fair call, yes,” Mr Thomas answered. Under Ms David’s questioning, Mr Thomas said he hadn’t met Mr Dawson but had formed an opinion of him after interviewing those close to the case and reading material from the two inquests into Ms Dawson’s disappearance. “I don’t think you need to meet someone to form a view about them,” Mr Thomas said, after the court was told of an interview Mr Thomas had with 60 Minutes where he described Mr Dawson as “despicable”, “severely narcissistic” and “dangerous”. “People can form views about tyrants, for argument’s sake, without ever having met them, study materials, talk to people and form a view. “At that stage it was my view and it hasn’t changed.” However, Mr Thomas denied that the podcast amounted to an attempt to “incite evidence” against Mr Dawson, saying he would have broadcasted evidence that contradicted his theory that Mr Dawson murdered his wife. “There was no doubt from the outset of the podcast it was going to be an exercise in condemning Christopher Dawson?” Ms David asked. “No, I disagree,” Mr Thomas said. “If I had uncovered or received information from anybody that disrupted, changed the narrative, that disputed the findings by coroners or anyone, that would have become a very significant part of the podcast.” As the case draws to a close, the court heard on Monday that Mr Thomas would be one of the final witnesses called by the prosecution, which argues that Ms Dawson was killed on or about January 8, 1982. Mr Dawson argues that on the morning of January 9, 1982, he drove Ms Dawson to a Mona Vale bus stop so she could go shopping, and that she later failed to meet him at the Northbridge baths, where he worked as a part-time lifeguard. According to Mr Dawson, Ms Dawson called him from the baths, telling him she needed time away. His version of events were said to be corroborated by a woman - known for legal reasons as KB - who worked at the baths and was interviewed by former detective Damian Loone in March 2001. Mr Loone didn’t take a statement from her, and told the court that he didn’t turn a blind eye to evidence that supported Mr Dawson’s account. He disagreed that KB told him she remembered the phone call. “I want to suggest your failure to take a statement from (KB) was consistent with your approach to the investigation, which was that if inquiries supported Christopher Dawson you would not take a statement,” Ms David said. “That’s incorrect,” Mr Loone replied The trial continues under Justice Ian Harrison. Image: Nine

Legal

Juror reveals why Depp won

A juror from the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial has spoken exclusively to Good Morning America about the trial verdict. The verdict ruled that Heard defamed Depp when she wrote a 2018 Washington Post op-ed alluding to her past claims of domestic violence. Heard is ordered to pay $US10.35 million (approx. $14.65 million) in damages to Depp. The juror, one of five men on the seven-person jury, shared that Heard's emotional testimony during the trial was not realistic. "The crying, the facial expressions that she had, the staring at the jury. All of us were very uncomfortable," the juror said. "She would answer one question and she would be crying, and two seconds later she would turn ice cold. Some of us used the expression 'crocodile tears.'" "A lot of the jury felt what [Depp] was saying, at the end of the day, was more believable," the juror added. "He just seemed a little more real in terms of how he was responding to questions. His emotional state was very stable throughout." Heard's team has claimed that social media and all of the vitriol against Heard on platforms such as TikTok swayed the jury in favor of Depp. As Heard said this week, "I think even the most well-intentioned juror... it would have been impossible to avoid this." The juror denied such accusations about social media, saying, "We followed the evidence... myself and other jurors don't use Twitter or Facebook. Others who had it, made a point not to talk about it." "What I think is truthful is that they were both abusive to each other," the juror concluded. "I don't think that makes either of them right or wrong... but to rise to the level of what she was claiming, there wasn't enough or any evidence that really supported what she was saying." The jury noted that one "fiasco" that hurt Heard during the trial was the reveal that she had not yet donated her $US7 million (approx. $9.9 million) divorce settlement to charity, despite claiming to do so. "She goes on a talk show in the U.K. and the video shows her sitting there, telling the host she gave all that money away," the juror said. "The terms she used in that video clip were, 'I gave it away, I donated it, it's gone.' But the fact is, she didn't give much of it away at all." Image: Getty

Legal

Bombshell testimony rocks Chris Dawson trial

An explosive bombshell detail rocked Chris Dawson’s judge-only murder trial on Thursday as Dawson’s former rugby league teammate testified that he was approached by Dawson and asked if he knew someone who could help “get rid” of his wife. Former Newtown Jets player Robert Silkman told the court that six years before Lynette Dawson disappeared, her husband approached him on a flight to the Gold Coast and posed the question to him. “I was sitting there and Chris come along and kneeled down to my level where I was sitting and asked me did I know anyone who could get rid of his wife,” Mr Silkman told the court, <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/get-rid-of-his-wife-chris-dawsons-teammates-bombshell-claim/news-story/0d90c610d2f21f701d972e9e1557968c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> reported. “Well, I was taken aback. I said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘For good?’ He said, ‘Yeah’. “I said, ‘Look, I’ll talk to you when I get back to Sydney’. That was the end of the conversation.” Mr Silkman told the court that he did not engage in any further conversation with Dawson. Then the former Newtown Jets player’s past was questioned due to his friendship with fellow teammate Paul Hayward, who was the brother-in-law of infamous criminal Arthur “Neddy” Smith. Neddy, a convicted murderer, drug trafficker and armed robber, spent most of his life in jail and died in 2021. Mr Silkman told the court that he was only socially acquainted with Neddy due to his friendship with Mr Hayward. “Yeah, I wasn’t actually drinking with (Smith), I was drinking with Paul Hayward who took me to the hotel with him,” Mr Silkman told the court. “Neddy Smith was in the company.” This then led to Dawson’s barrister Pauline David questioning Mr Silkman’s criminal history and accusing him of willingly lying if there’s a “dollar” in it, the publication reported. “You have a very loose relationship with the truth,” Ms David said. “That’s not correct,” Mr Silkman said. Chris Dawson has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife Lynette, who went missing from the family home in Sydney's Northern Beaches in January 1982. The trial continues. Images: Nine News

News

"I had visual contact with Lyn Dawson" court hears

Chris Dawson’s judge-only murder trial has aired a recording of the accused's brother-in-law, who claimed that he spotted Lynette Dawson several months after she disappeared back in 1982. A police interview that was conducted between Dawson’s brother-in-law Ross Hutcheon back in 2019 was played in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Mr Hutcheon claimed that he saw Lynette at a bus stop opposite Gladesville Hospital up to six months after she disappeared. "She looked just like the Lyn that I knew — same colour hair, same hairstyle, same glasses. No obvious attempt to disguise herself," he said in the recording. "The other thing that convinced me … was the fact that it was opposite the hospital and she was a nurse." Mr Hutcheon, who died six weeks ago and was married to Dawson’s sister also called Lynette, had claimed to have told her about seeing the missing mother that day. However, it was reported that Mr Hutcheon had instead reported the incident to police years later in 1999 stating he had "no contact with Lynette Dawson since her disappearance". "I had visual contact with Lyn Dawson, not verbal contact," Mr Hutcheon responded. Ms Hutcheon appeared in court on Tuesday and was questioned why she hadn’t discussed the possible sighting of her sister-in-law. She told the court that other people she knew had reported sightings of Lynette Dawson months after she disappeared and it didn’t cross her mind. "My husband had seen her and I had heard that other people had seen her. I thought she had been seen by people that knew her," she said. Chris Dawson has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife Lynette, who went missing from the family home in Sydney's Northern Beaches in January 1982. The trial continues. Images: Nine News

Legal

Phonetap reveals shock claims in Chris Dawson murder trial

Chris Dawson’s twin brother has doubled down on claims that his brother’s school-aged lover “had more motive” to murder his wife Lynette, after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/bombshell-move-as-new-witnesses-emerge-in-chris-dawson-murder-trial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a phone tap</a> from 23 years ago was played in court. During his second day of testimony, Paul Dawson described his twin as the least violent man he’s ever met, with the Supreme Court hearing a secret phone tap of the pair talking after Paul was grilled by detectives over the 1982 disappearance of his sister-in-law, per <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bombshell-claims-heard-on-phone-tap-played-at-chris-dawson-murder-trial/91605b36-4fac-4c07-81aa-1cd46be0475d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a>. “He implied that something has happened to Lyn and you had motive,” Paul said in the recording from March 1999. “They think something has happened to Lyn and I had the motive and they are going to search the property and do all sorts of things. Oh well, good luck to them,” Chris replied. “If anyone had the motive, (JC) had more motive,” Paul said. “JC”, as she has been identified during the trial, was the Dawson’s babysitter and a highschool student of Chris’ before he began having an affair with her and later marrying her. The Crown alleges Chris murdered Lynette so he could have an “unfettered relationship” with JC. In court, Paul doubled down on his accusations against JC while being questioned by Crown Prosecutor Craig Everson SC. “If Lyn had been murdered, JC had the motive, JC had more to gain and JC did gain more than Chris ever gained from their relationship,” Paul said. He also recalled a conversation with Elva McBay, a now-deceased family friend, who told him JC had made a threat against Lynette at a birthday party. “JC just said if she got in her way… she’d get rid of her,” he claimed McBa said. The phone tap also included a conversation between Chris and Paul about where Lynette could be. “Either Lyn’s somewhere with a whole new life,” Paul said. “Yeah,” Chris replied. “Or something happened, I mean,” Paul continued. “I know,” Chris said. “She could be anywhere,” Paul said. Paul, who has said he is keeping an eye on media reports about the trial, has described the allegations that Chris was violent as “most outrageous”. He said that over the course of Chris and Lynette’s 17-year relationship he never even heard a derogatory comment. The trial continues under Justice Ian Harrison. Image: 9News

Legal

Bombshell move as new witnesses emerge in Chris Dawson murder trial

Prosecutors have revealed they have new witnesses who wanted to give evidence in the middle of the murder trial against former footy star Chris Dawson on the same day his twin brother and sister-in-law gave conflicting evidence. Marilyn Dawson, the sister-in-law to Lynette and Chris Dawson, told the court of a conversation the pair had just days before Lynette went missing, per the <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nsw/chris-dawson-murder-trial-new-witnesses-want-to-give-evidence/news-story/d30f3224beef38a906159be367e8a0a4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Telegraph</a>. She recalled telling Lynette to “stand up and be counted” in an effort to save her marriage after JC, a school-aged babysitter, moved in as her husband’s lover. Marilyn, who married Chris Dawson’s twin brother Paul, described Lynette as strong and worldly but said she was “not coping” with the fact <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/chris-dawson-s-former-mistress-reveals-last-words-with-lynette" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris was having an affair with JC</a>. “When I spoke to her in the car, I felt she was devastated and a bit flat and I think not coping,” Marilyn Dawson told the Supreme Court. She explained that Lynette was staying with relatives at times after JC moved into her and Chris’ Bayview home. “I said you need to stay at home because you don’t want this other person in your home unsupervised,” Marilyn Dawson continued. “I wanted her to stand up and be counted about her home and her children and her marriage. She was a strong girl, a very strong personality, a nurse. “I think she said in the end, I don’t know what to do. I’m bad, I’m devastated. I think she had a lot on her plate with two children and she couldn’t believe what was going on.” Chris Dawson has pleaded not guilty to murdering Lynette, who was 33 when she disappeared from their home in Sydney’s northern beaches. She was last seen on January 9, 1982. He claims Lynette had walked away from their marriage, leaving behind their two daughters. Marilyn also testified that Chris and JC had spent Christmas Day 1981 “in bed” at her and Paul’s home, which was a couple doors down from Lynette and Chris’ home. Crown prosecutor Craig Everson SC asked Marilyn: “Who was in your bed on Christmas Day 1981?” “Chris and JC I think because they asked could they stay at my home on Christmas Day,” she answered. She said she hadn’t told Lynette because “they asked me not to”. “I knew I wasn’t happy about it but I am not confrontational so I didn’t say anything because I felt torn between helping Chris and helping his family,” she said. But, when her husband took the stand and spoke about the same day, he told the court he had never discussed Christmas Day with Chris. When asked what they knew about the state of Lynette and Chris’ marriage at the end of 1981, Marilyn and Paul also gave conflicting evidence. Paul, who testified after his wife via AVL (audio visual links), said: “It was good. Chris was being very positive towards it and when I spoke to Lyn on Christmas Day, she was very positive towards it.” Mr Everson asked Paul who was there when he woke up on that Christmas Day, with Paul answering that it was just his wife, their three daughters, and himself. “Did you get any visitors that morning?” Mr Everson asked. “Not from my memory no,” Paul said. “What contact did you have with Chris on the day?” Mr Everson questioned. “I think he rang me to say he wouldn’t be joining us for Christmas. It’s very hard to remember a conversation from 40 years ago.” When asked how many times he had discussed the day with Chris, Paul said, “I can’t remember any at all.” In a bombshell revelation, Mr Everson told the court several people had come forward and given statements to police since <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/new-details-of-chris-dawson-trial-after-suppression-request-rejected" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the trial began on May 9</a>, foreshadowing legal arguments about whether the new evidence could be admitted while the trial was in progress. He also tendered an intercepted phone call between the brothers from March 16, 1999, which was due to be played on Thursday under Justice Ian Harrison. Images: 9News (Twitter)

Legal

"There were a lot of happy tears": New cancer drug smashes expectations

A new cancer drug has returned phenomenal results after curing almost every patient in the trial phase. Dostarlimab, a monoclonal antibody drug which produces white blood cells, had already been approved to treat endometrial cancer in the UK. The cost of Dostarlimab sits at $11,000 (A$15,200) per 500mg dose in the US and has been given to 100 advanced endometrial cancer patients every year. It was used in the hopes that patients could avoid invasive surgery as well as chemotherapy. A trial conducted by New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was looking into whether the drug is effective against rectal cancer tumours. The trial proved to be a success where all 18 patients went into remission and no cancer was found. “Our message is: Get tested if you have rectal cancer to see if the tumour is MMRd,” lead author of the paper Dr Luis Diaz said. “No matter what stage the cancer is, we have a trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that may help you.” The researchers explained that no patients had received prior chemoradiotherapy or undergone surgery. “The results enabled us to omit both chemoradiotherapy and surgery and to proceed with observation alone,” they said. “The implications for quality of life are substantial, especially among patients in whom standard treatment would affect childbearing potential.” Dr Andrea Cercek said there were “a lot of happy tears” when patients were told about the success of the drug. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Verdict reached in Depp versus Heard trial

A verdict has been reached in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial in Virginia, USA. Coming out largely in Depp's favour, Heard must pay him a total of $US15 million ($20.8 million) in damages, the jury have decided. However, as a result of her counterclaims, the jury said Depp must pay Heard $US2 million ($2.78 million). The jury unanimously found that Depp was defamed by Heard's op-ed titled, "I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change". They found the op-ed was about Depp despite him not being named in the piece. An exert read: "Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out." The jury also agreed that Heard acted with malice and further stated that she also made a defamatory statement when she said, "I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse." The jury then addressed Heard's countersuit, and supported one of her claims of defamation. In total, Heard was found to have been defamatory to Depp in all three of his claims, but Depp was only found to be defamatory in one of Heard's three counterclaims. The verdict was read out in the Virginia courtroom about 3:20 pm on Wednesday (5:20 am on Thursday AEST) but prior, after they first reached a decision, the judge asked for them to leave the court and fill out a form. Heard was present in the courtroom, and showed little to no reaction as the verdict was read out. Depp was not present at the time of the verdict. Depp's awarded damages total to $US15 million (approx. $20.8 million), but are comprised of $US10 million (approx. $14 million) in compensatory damages and $US5 million (approx. $7 million) in punitive damages. Under state law in Virginia, however, the maximum amount of punitive damages that can be paid is $US350,000 (approx. $490,000), which means Depp's ultimate monetary award is $US10.35 million (approx. $14.4 million). Image: Getty

News

New medical emergency hits Guy Sebastian trial

Guy Sebastian’s trial against his former manager faces more delays after another medical emergency unfolded just days after the presiding judge suddenly passed away. One of the jurors was rushed to hospital after suffering a severe allergic reaction during the lunch break - prompting the new judge to question whether it is practical for the trial to continue, as reported by <a href="https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/guy-sebastians-ex-manager-trial-resumes-c-6811553" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. Judge Timothy Gartelmann announced that he would be taking over the trial on Monday, and with several jurors handing him notes raising concerns about future commitments, he said he would deliberate overnight once he found out about the welfare of the ill juror. “I will then make a decision about whether or not it is practical for individual jurors and indeed the trial itself to continue,” he said. Sebastian’s former manager, Titus Emmanuel Day, has pleaded not guilty to 50 charges, including allegedly embezzling money owed to Sebastian through royalties and performance fees, as well as 50 alternative counts of larceny. <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/guy-sebastian-fronts-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beginning his testimony</a> on Wednesday, May 4, the Voice judge testified that Day promised him 10 percent equity in his company 6 Degrees - which Day managed him through for nearly a decade - in recognition of his importance as a “foundation client” in the company’s success. Email exchanges tendered in court also showed that Day told Sebastian he would give him 10 percent ownership of Solar D, a sunscreen brand Day created. Sebastian said he then became an informal ambassador for the brand, conducting interviews and participating in a rowing event and photoshoot among other duties. He said he didn’t expect any payment for the work because the emails made it clear he was part-owner of the company. Sebastian said “there were requests for intros”, and when asked about Day’s character in relation to the company, he gave “him a wrap”. “He’s a good bloke, and I’m involved as well. There’s nothing to worry about,” he recalled saying. The trial is expected to continue under Judge Gartelmann on Tuesday. The funeral for Judge Peter Zahra, who presided over the trial until his sudden passing and was a highly respected and senior judge in the NSW District Court, will be held on Friday. In a statement, Judge Zahra’s family said he would be remembered as a “special soul”. “We have received many lovely messages and memories that demonstrate the type of person he was, he had a big heart and wanted to see everyone achieve more than what they ever thought possible,” the statement said. “In honour of our Dad and his life, we encourage everyone to have a hot chocolate and share a dad joke in his honour!” Image: Guy Sebastian (Facebook)

Legal

Witness accused of painting Chris Dawson in “most monstrous” way possible

A witness has claimed that Chris Dawson allegedly pushed his wife Lynette against a trampoline and screamed at her before she disappeared. Lynette Dawson disappeared from the family home in Bayview in Sydney’s northern beaches, leaving behind her two children in January 1982. The 33-year-old has not been heard from since then and her remains have not yet been found. Dawson, a former professional rugby league player and teacher is accused of killing his wife Lynette. He appeared in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday where he claimed he was in fact the victim of improper police investigations following the disappearance of his wife. In the judge-alone trial, witness and former neighbour Julie Andrew alleged that Dawson was “shaking” his wife moments leading up to her death. "He was screaming at her and she was crying. He was towering over her … he was roaring at her,” she said in court, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-16/witness-tells-court-she-saw-chris-dawson-screaming-at-lynette/101069734" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> reported. A few hours after the alleged incident, Julie went to check in on Lynette who informed her that Dawson was going to make room for the babysitter to move in because he was infatuated with her. Julie told the court that she tried to explain to Lynette that it was her house and she should not allow that to happen. She also recalled the moment Lynette revealed that she came home from work one day to find Dawson and the babysitter in bed together. "She said, 'I'm sure she just wasn't feeling well and he was looking after her'," Julie said. She noted that that was the last time she saw Lynette and would try calling the home phone to which no one responded. Julie only spotted Dawson, the babysitter, and the two children in the house - claiming she was too scared to go to the house and check on the situation. Defence barrister Pauline David accused Julie of painting Dawson in the "most monstrous" way possible. Julie denied the accusation saying she was there to tell the truth and said she didn’t go to the house after noticing bruises on Lynette’s arm, ABC reported. Dawson continues to claim his innocence after being arrested for the murder of Lynette. The trial continues. Image: Nine News

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Woman cured of Type 1 diabetes in life-changing clinical trial

Why is it so hard to cancel subscriptions or end ‘free’ trials? Report shows how companies trap you into paying

Decision reached over Ed Sheeran's copyright trial

"Dramatic result": New drug shows hope for slowing down Alzheimer's disease

Detailed look at Chris Dawson's first day behind bars

Stunning Chris Dawson verdict handed down

This EU country is the first to trial digital passports

“May justice be done”: Ben Roberts-Smith’s trial comes to an end

Chris Dawson trial reaches its conclusion

Big names touted to star in TV series of Dawson trial

‘Teacher’s Pet’ journalist takes stand in Chris Dawson trial

Juror reveals why Depp won

Bombshell testimony rocks Chris Dawson trial

"I had visual contact with Lyn Dawson" court hears

Phonetap reveals shock claims in Chris Dawson murder trial

Bombshell move as new witnesses emerge in Chris Dawson murder trial

"There were a lot of happy tears": New cancer drug smashes expectations

Verdict reached in Depp versus Heard trial

New medical emergency hits Guy Sebastian trial

Witness accused of painting Chris Dawson in “most monstrous” way possible

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Woman cured of Type 1 diabetes in life-changing clinical trial

Why is it so hard to cancel subscriptions or end ‘free’ trials? Report shows how companies trap you into paying

Decision reached over Ed Sheeran's copyright trial

"Dramatic result": New drug shows hope for slowing down Alzheimer's disease

Detailed look at Chris Dawson's first day behind bars

Stunning Chris Dawson verdict handed down

This EU country is the first to trial digital passports

“May justice be done”: Ben Roberts-Smith’s trial comes to an end

Chris Dawson trial reaches its conclusion

Big names touted to star in TV series of Dawson trial

‘Teacher’s Pet’ journalist takes stand in Chris Dawson trial

Juror reveals why Depp won

Bombshell testimony rocks Chris Dawson trial

"I had visual contact with Lyn Dawson" court hears

Phonetap reveals shock claims in Chris Dawson murder trial

Bombshell move as new witnesses emerge in Chris Dawson murder trial

﻿﻿"There were a lot of happy tears": New cancer drug smashes expectations

Verdict reached in Depp versus Heard trial

New medical emergency hits Guy Sebastian trial

Witness accused of painting Chris Dawson in “most monstrous” way possible

"There were a lot of happy tears": New cancer drug smashes expectations