Estate Litigation Partner, Lucy McPherson featured in The Australian discussing Hedley Thomas’ ‘Teacher’s Pet’ Podcast.
10 December 2018. Written by Hedley Thomas and National Crime Correspondent, David Murray.
Estate Litigation Partner, Lucy McPherson featured in The Australian discussing Hedley Thomas’ ‘Teacher’s Pet’ Podcast.
The true crime series investigated the disappearance of 34-year-old, mum of two, Lyn Dawson from Sydney in January 1982.
Lyn and her husband Chris Dawson appeared to have the perfect marriage. Chris was a star footballer, who became a popular high school PE teacher. However, shortly after Lyn’s disappearance, he moved his teenage, former high school student into the family home.
Chris had always denied any involvement in Lyn’s disappearance. However, the Teacher’s Pet podcast was credited with leading investigators to charge Chris with Lyn’s murder. Lucy discussed whether Chris could be required to forfeit any wealth he has accumulated as a result of the alleged murder of his wife, Lyn.
Forfeiture laws that bar people from profiting from their crimes mean that the couple’s children are in line to inherit Lyn’s estate, or any financial benefit Chris received as a result of her death, if he is found guilty of her murder. Lucy and host, Hedley Thomas talked about whether a conviction would disqualify Mr Dawson from any financial benefit from her estate.
Lucy said,
“Lynette’s two daughters are likely to be considered the next in line to inherit her estate or any financial benefit Chris received as a result of Lynette’s death.”
In the event of Mr Dawson not being convicted, Lyn’s daughters could still apply for forfeiture of their mother’s estate.
“The fact that the person has been acquitted can’t be used as evidence of the person’s innocence in the civil proceedings. The first question for the court to consider would be whether on the balance of probabilities he has unlawfully killed Lynette Dawson. The second question for the court would be for the forfeiture rule to be applied.”
Lucy explained it would be a “very complex exercise” involving forensic accounting to work out the current value of Lyn’s estate.
“He’s been able to use that capital over time and I’m sure that has benefited him quite significantly over the last 36 years,” said Lucy.
The Teacher’s Pet Podcast was created by Hedley Thomas, a prominent Australian investigative journalist and author, who has won eight, prestigious Walkley journalism awards, two of which are Gold Walkleys.
Read the article here
