True Crime - McKenzie McLoughlin Criminal Lawyers

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Deep down inside many of us, there is an underlying and immense fascination for all things ‘true crime’. That fascination has been heightened in recent times with the release of the chilling podcast, ‘A Teacher’s Pet’. Josh McKenzie, a solicitor with McKenzie McLoughlin Criminal Lawyers in Manly, tells why this case has gotten under the skin of residents on the Northern Beaches.

Whether it be due to the familiar setting of the Northern Beaches, or perhaps the emotional attachment we have formed with each of its characters, there’s never been so much discussion about the potential final, ‘piece of the puzzle’.

However, it’s important to recognise that although many wish to see justice served as quickly and coldly as possible, it seems a reasonable time to revisit the potential reasons why the Director of Public Prosecutions has taken no action to date.

In respect of the current state of affairs, what would appear alarmingly obvious to a successful prosecution is the location of Lyn Dawson’s remains. This has been a real talking point in recent times, particularly in the context of the delay between the last search and the most recent one.

Former Director of the DPP Nicholas Cowdery QC, recently told ABC’s Australian Story, “I decided that there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction on the basis of the evidence that was supplied to us.” He then went on to discuss the importance of finding a body.

Former DPP solicitor James McLoughlin from McKenzie McLoughlin Criminal Lawyers, had this to say, “I don’t have any inside knowledge of this particular case, but I know the DPP’s extensive guidelines govern when they elect to prosecute a person. They consider the prospects of proving every element of murder, based on the available evidence.

It’s important to also remember, if the DPP gets it wrong, it’s possible that either an innocent person is prosecuted or, because of the laws of ‘double jeopardy’, a guilty person walks free after an unsuccessful prosecution and can’t be prosecuted again.”

For those of us who are losing sleep over the investigation and potential prosecution of an offender, the recent decision by NSW Police to search the property has never meant so much. The public may ask themselves why has it taken this long to get answers a family so deserves? We collectively hold our breath in anticipation as to whether there is finally enough evidence to put the matter before a Criminal Court.