NSW prosecutors have denied being influenced by a popular podcast in the decision to prosecute former Sydney teacher Chris Dawson over the murder of his wife Lynette.
Dawson, 74, was this week found guilty by a NSW Supreme Court judge of killing his first wife, who vanished from the northern beaches in 1982.
The case against Dawson was entirely circumstantial and Ms Dawson's body has never been found.
It was explored extensively in a podcast series, The Teacher's Pet, which attracted millions of downloads before Dawson was arrested in late 2018.
The NSW DPP on Thursday issued a statement referring to "some media reports" which suggested the decision to prosecute was a result of "outside influence".
"The Director of Public Prosecutions acts independently and impartially, and the ODPP advises in, institutes and conducts proceedings in the public interest in accordance with the Prosecution Guidelines," the statement said.
"Decisions about criminal prosecutions are made free of inappropriate influence of political, individual or other sectional interests, including media coverage or public sentiment.
"Determining whether there is a reasonable prospect of conviction requires evaluating the likely strength of the admissible evidence the prosecution would present to the court, bearing in mind that the prosecution has to prove each element of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt."
The DPP said public interest was "the paramount consideration" in deciding whether to prosecute.
Meanwhile, the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday heard Dawson has faced death threats during his first 36 hours in custody, which has included one night at Silverwater prison.
He sat next to his lawyer, Greg Walsh, wearing a prison-issued green tracksuit.
"He's constantly said there's a large number of people threatening his life," Mr Walsh said.
Justice Ian Harrison said while he didn't have the power to direct Corrective Services, he could make recommendations.
The judge said to the extent that was possible, he would be "the first person" to recommend immediate steps be taken to protect Dawson from "people who think they know better than the law".
"It may even be appropriate for you, with my blessing, to contact them today in anticipation of Mr Dawson returning to his accommodation," Justice Harrison said.
The judge said Dawson was entitled to be given all appropriate medical assistance, along with all physical protection he may require.
Dawson made no application for bail and his sentencing hearing was set for November 11.
Outside court, Mr Walsh said there were grounds for appeal.
"I believe that there are certainly grounds of appeal. I could not express a proper view at this stage as to my level of confidence. His honour put in extraordinary effort into his judgment," Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh said he needed to give careful consideration to the judge's judgment which extends over 268 pages but he will keep an eye out for key issues.
"There are some aspects which come to mind for example intention to kill, the circumstances under which his honour was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he killed his wife when there was a complete absence of any such evidence...it seems the only strand that was left was his obsessional sexual relationship with JC," he said.
Mr Walsh said Dawson had been subjected to "serious death threats by a number of prisoners".
Dawson has always denied involvement in Ms Dawson's disappearance and during a judge-alone trial, his lawyers suggested Ms Dawson may have chosen to abandon her family.
The Crown alleged he was motivated to kill Ms Dawson in order to have an "unfettered relationship" with their teenage babysitter, JC.
Dawson's lawyers argued there was an alternative explanation for the disappearance, suggesting Ms Dawson may have abandoned her family after her trust was broken.
Justice Harrison on Tuesday said there was "a most compelling" body of evidence to support a rejection of that hypothesis.
