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The creator of hit podcast The Teacher's Pet has rejected accusations he led a campaign to incite prejudice against Chris Dawson.
Journalist Hedley Thomas has taken the stand at the high-profile trial and conceded he believed the former footballer had got away with murdering his wife, Lynette.
"I thought he was likely to have, but I still had an open mind about it. I wanted to learn more about it. I became more sure as time went on," Thomas told the Supreme Court.
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The award-winning 16-episode series was released in 2018 and has since been downloaded 60 million times across the globe.
The veteran reporter rejected suggestions he was out to condemn Dawson.
"I had a view about him, which I felt was very suspicious and the view strengthened as I read more and spoke to more people," Thomas said.
"If I had uncovered or received information that changed the narrative and disputed the findings of coroners… that would have become a very significant part of the podcast."
The same year as the podcast took off, detectives from NSW Police announced a dig at the couple's former home in Bayview on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
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Thomas had publicly called for it and admitted he was disappointed when officers failed to find the missing mother.
He told the judge he was aware the Director of Public Prosecutions was reconsidering the case, but pushed ahead with the series, claiming it flushed out seven new witnesses.
Thomas also accepted he shared his own opinion with witnesses – including that Dawson had got away with murder.
It's the defence case their evidence has been contaminated by involvement in the podcast.
The writer has denied being after fame and money, having already won several coveted Walkley journalism awards.
Thomas will return to the witness box tomorrow.
Source: 9News
