| Andrew Fraser | |
|---|---|
| Conviction(s) | Drug trafficking |
| Penalty | Five years imprisonment |
| Status | Released in 2006 |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
Andrew Fraser was a high profile Melbourne based lawyer sentenced to seven years imprisonment with a minimum period of five years imprisonment in 2001 for being knowingly concerned with the importation of a commercial quantity of cocaine. In 2006, Fraser was released two months earlier than his release date from Fulham Correctional Centre after agreeing to give evidence against serial killer Peter Dupas in his trial for the murder of Mersina Helvagis.[1] He applied for a share of a 1 million dollar reward for solving the murder .[2]
Contents |
In 2007, Fraser gave an interview on Andrew Denton's Enough Rope and published a book entitled Court In The Middle, which is claimed to be "a true story of cocaine, police, corruption and prison". On both Enough Rope and in his book, Fraser alleges widespread drug use within the Victorian Prison system, claiming that Fulham is "awash with drugs". He also alleges corruption within the Victorian Police and the prison system run by Corrections Victoria. Fraser admits in the book to being addicted to cocaine prior to his arrest, but claims that he has been clean ever since.
In 2008, Fraser published a new book Lunatic Soup which details his time in in the Sirius East unit of Port Phillip Prison. Part of the book discusses aspects of his relationship with his fellow inmates (including Leslie Camilleri) and with the guards of the unit. The rest of the book is taken up with Fraser's relationship with Peter Dupas and his role in Dupas' confession and subsequent conviction for the murder of Mersina Halvagis.
A television mini-series based on Fraser's experiences, entitled 'Killing Time', was produced in 2009 by FremantleMedia, TV1 and Film Victoria [3]. David Wenham portrays Fraser. The series has aired in its entirety in New Zealand, but broadcast within Australia has been delayed by ongoing court cases involving Fraser and Dupas. An edited version is scheduled to air on TV1 on 2 November 2011.[3]