CARL Williams was bashed to death in jail by a trusted fellow inmate who believed the gangland serial killer had become an informer, police believe.
As three separate probes began into the murder of one of Australia's most notorious criminals, it emerged that Williams' killer seized his chance when no guards were present in a room of the maximum security Acacia unit of Barwon Prison.
CARL Williams was bashed to death in jail by a trusted fellow inmate who believed the gangland serial killer had become an informer, police believe.As three separate probes began into the murder of one of Australia's most notorious criminals, it
he was killed in the exercise room by a trusted inmate aka the runner a man who could run a kilometer from a getaway car and kept his fittness upto date by keepin fit in the exercise room with his close friend williams,
he was killed in the exercise room by a trusted inmate aka the runner a man who could run a kilometer from a getaway car and kept his fittness upto date by keepin fit in the exercise room with his close friend williams,
CARL Williams was bashed to death in jail by a trusted fellow inmate who believed the gangland serial killer had become an informer, police believe.
As three separate probes began into the murder of one of Australia's most notorious criminals, it emerged that Williams' killer seized his chance when no guards were present in a room of the maximum security Acacia unit of Barwon Prison. Advertisement: Story continues below Carl Williams was all smiles as he posed in court for the photograph he had agreed to before his sentencing. Click for more photos Carl Williams
Carl Williams was all smiles as he posed in court for the photograph he had agreed to before his sentencing. Photo: Jason South
* Carl Williams was all smiles as he posed in court for the photograph he had agreed to before his sentencing. * Carl Williams and former wife Roberta at the height of the gangland war. * Carl Williams clutches his daughter Dhakoda as he leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court on bail in 2003. * Carl Williams at the funeral of slain underworld figure Andrew Benji Veniamin at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St Andrews in March 2004. * Gangland killer Carl Williams is led into the Supreme Court in December 2004. * Carl Williams has lunch with dad George after a court appearance. * Police arrest Carl Williams on Beaconsfield Parade in Port Melbourne in November 2003. * Carl Williams arrives at court with father George in April 2004. * Carl Williams smiles as he leaves the Supreme Court in June 2004.
Police said Williams, 39, was approached from behind and struck in the head with the steel stem of an exercise bike just before 1pm yesterday.
A short time later, prison guards found him in cardiac arrest. Paramedics who were called to the scene were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at 1.47 pm.
Detective Inspector Bernie Edwards of the homicide squad said Williams and two other prisoners were in a combined kitchen and exercise room at the time of the attack.
''Carl was sitting at a table, one of the other prisoners came up behind and struck him to the head a number of times,'' he said. But it was ''more than likely'' more than one person would be charged, he said.
The killing has raised questions about security arrangements for high-risk prisoners, and threatens to undermine several criminal cases.
Sir Ken Jones, Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police, admitted that some investigations could be compromised as a result of Williams' death.
''It doesn't take a genius to work out that there will be ramifications and impacts and we are alive to that and as we speak I've got people working on those,'' Sir Ken said.
Prosecutor Michele Williams, SC, told a hearing into a major criminal case yesterday that a decision would be made today on whether to continue.
The two inmates who last saw Williams alive were being questioned separately last night. One of the men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was last year acquitted of murder and is on remand. He is to be tried on kidnapping and other charges.
The other man is Thomas Ivanovic, also known as ''Little Tommy''. The some-time drug dealer and trusted member of the ''Williams Crew'' during the gangland wars was jailed for 18 years in 2003 for the shooting murder of a motorcyclist.
Williams and Ivanovic had been close in the past. Williams asked him to be godfather to his daughter Dhakota, but Ivanovic was jailed before the christening.
Police sources said they had been told that Ivanovic was on the phone at the time of the attack and told the person he was speaking to what was occurring in front of him.
Inspector Edwards said that from security camera footage of the killing, it ''didn't look like there had been an argument''.
Deputy Corrections Commissioner Rod Wise said the two prisoners shared Williams' unit. Williams had spent 15 months socialising with the man who allegedly bashed him and nine months with the other. ''Mr Williams was happy with those arrangements. There had been no previous incidents or any problems between them.''
Mr Wise said the nearest guard was 10 metres away at the time of the killing. ''It's not practical to have every prisoner supervised at all times when they are out of cell,'' he said.
Police Minister Bob Cameron said police, the coroner and the Officer of the Correctional Services Review would investigate. He defended security arrangements. ''It is normal for prisoners to associate with others. The issue is the risk profile as to who associates with who,'' he said. ''Corrections have a very difficult task given the nature of the people who are imprisoned.''
Sir Ken said it was ''too early to say'' whether the killing was linked to a report in the Herald Sun yesterday saying Victoria Police had paid Dhakota Williams' private school fees.
Williams' solicitor Rob Stary called for an investigation independent of police and corrections authorities.
Williams' father George was was being comforted by friends and relatives at his Broadmeadows home last night.
Carl Williams' cousin Lynette White said George Williams was in shock, and had received no indication that his son's days were numbered. ''Everyone's just grieving … [George is] not real good,'' she said.
A family friend expressed dismay at the fact that Williams was killed in jail. ''It's supposed to be maximum security, isn't it?''
Williams' ex-wife Roberta arrived at the prison last night. A man who answered her mobile phone said ''f--- off, you goose''.
Underworld figure Mick Gatto said he didn't want to comment. ''I would rather let dead dogs lie.''
CARL Williams was bashed to death in jail by a trusted fellow inmate who believed the gangland serial killer had become an informer, police believe.As three separate probes began into the murder of one of Australia's most notorious criminals, it
last to inmates to see him alive mr.t and mr.l lol
mr.t Thomas Ivanovic and mr.l the runner now when the killin of Michael Marshall happened mr.t and mr.l were both arrested immediately after the killing they then claimed they couldnt give the name of mr.l aka the runner for legal reasons the same mr.l who bashed carl williams to death
last to inmates to see him alive mr.t and mr.l lolmr.t Thomas Ivanovic and mr.l the runner now when the killin of Michael Marshall happened mr.t and mr.l were both arrested immediately after the killing they then claimed they couldnt give the name of
matt johnson Oh my lord he is a crazy fellow. 2008 he killed an 18 year for $50- he just went friggin crazy. 18 year old was supposed to get him his marijuana, but ripped Johnson off. Johnson got very mad. Johnson beat the 18 year old to death and set him on fire. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parol, but the runner ended williams
matt johnson Oh my lord he is a crazy fellow. 2008 he killed an 18 year for $50- he just went friggin crazy. 18 year old was supposed to get him his marijuana, but ripped Johnson off. Johnson got very mad. Johnson beat the 18 year old to death and se