Chris Dawson has been threatened in prison and is seeking special protection two days after being found guilty of his wife Lyn's murder 40 years ago, his lawyer says.
The 74-year-old former rugby league player faced the NSW Supreme Court in his prison greens on Thursday after a judge found he had killed his wife and disposed of her body in January 1982 because of an infatuation with the family babysitter.
Dawson had been taken to Silverwater prison after Tuesday's verdict and had suffered "constant threats" to his life while there, his lawyer Greg Walsh told Justice Ian Harrison.
While already under a strict protection regime in jail at the moment, the solicitor asked the judge to direct the authorities to look after his client's safety in all ways that they could.
"He's been subject to serious death threats by a number of prisoners. It's not unusual in this circumstance having regards to his profile and the charge of which he was convicted," Mr Walsh told reporters outside court.
"Jail being what it is, it's a very dangerous place and at times prisoners need to be transferred or transported to and from other places in the jail, and they can be subject to unprovoked attacks."
Mr Walsh said he hadn't had the chance to talk much with Dawson while in custody but said he was still in shock.
"He seems to have shut down. He's very, very sad about his predicament. He's worried about his children. He's worried about his loved ones."
Again flagging an appeal, the lawyer said he was still reviewing the 268-page judgment but said a possible challenge included whether the murder could be proved "beyond reasonable doubt".
There was no evidence of intention to kill, nor was there proof Dawson was a violent man, Mr Walsh said.
JC's allegation that the former teacher had gone to hire a hitman to kill his wife but had changed his mind had also been rejected, he added.
A bail application flagged on Tuesday was not made.
Mrs Dawson's body has never been found despite despite extensive searches of the Bayview property the couple once shared on Sydney's northern beaches.
The judge found Dawson murdered his wife because he held a deep animosity towards her as an obstacle to his relationship with JC, a former student, who he was obsessed with.
Dawson's lies to police and family members were relied on in the judgment to show guilt that he had indeed killed his loving, committed wife.
On Tuesday, Mr Walsh told reporters the former Newtown Jets rugby league player was suffering physical health problems and cognitive issues, including a diagnosis of dementia.
Meanwhile, Homicide Squad commander Danny Doherty said the police investigation was not over despite the welcome conviction.
"Our efforts and inquiries to find Lyn's remains are ongoing, and we once again urge anyone with information which may assist us to get in touch," he said in a statement on Thursday.
"After a journey of more than 40 years, we hope to give Lyn's family the chance to say goodbye."
A sentence hearing will be held on November 11.
