On Friday, Justice Ian Harrison mentioned that testimony and statements in the case claimed Lynette Dawson had been seen with bruises or black eyes, but did not actually point to who caused those injuries.
"In my perception, there are no bright lights shining in this area. It's all a bit dark and dingy and I might need some particular help," he said.
The prosecution has brought forward a parade of witnesses in the NSW Supreme Court alleging Dawson had a tendency to act violently or aggressively towards his wife, although this has been disputed in testimony by family members.
Although a body has never been found, Dawson, now 73, is accused of murdering his wife and disposing of her body in January 1982 so he could have an unfettered relationship with a woman known as JC who was his babysitter and former high school student.
He has pleaded not guilty and denies any involvement in his wife's disappearance.
Also on Friday, the court heard more evidence of an alleged conversation in which Dawson asked fellow rugby league player Robert Silkman if he knew someone to get rid of his wife in 1975.
The discussion allegedly took place on a crowded plane flight from the Gold Coast to Sydney when Silkman was seated next to friend Ray Lee.
Silkman, who has a number of convictions for theft and one for arson, previously gave evidence of the conversation.
He claims Dawson talked to him whilst kneeling down in the aisle of the plane after the Newtown Jets' Gold Coast holiday where they had watched Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the fight billed as the Thrilla in Manila.
Mr Lee, who was born in 1955, said on Friday that he did not remember the purported discussion, despite Silkman claiming he was seated next to him at the time, but said he discussed the topic with his friend later while in his 20s.
Dawson's solicitor Greg Walsh suggested a conversation in which someone asks about getting rid of their wife would be something one would never forget.
"Yeah, you would think so," Mr Lee replied.
Detective Senior Constable Mark O'Reilly met security guard Silkman while they were both working at the Qudos Bank Arena. He told the court that in September 2018 Silkman told him about the alleged plane conversation.
He said he had not discussed the topic of a reward for information, which was $200,000 in January 2014, with Silkman at any time.
Silkman has previously been accused by Dawson's legal counsel of making the story up to receive the reward money.
Mr Lee admitted Silkman was a scallywag but denied suggestions his friend was a "big-noter", or someone who exaggerates their stories.
Nurse Kerry Stantscheff also gave evidence on Friday of a blonde-haired woman working alongside her at the Rockcastle Hospital in Curl Curl, Sydney in the 1980s.
Ms Stantscheff said the woman looked vaguely familiar but could not confirm whether it was indeed Mrs Dawson.
The Dawsons' former neighbours Peter and Jill Breese claim they saw Mrs Dawson working at Rockcastle in June 1984.
The hearing continues.
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