Melbourne gangland killings

The Melbourne gangland killings were the murders in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia of 36 criminal figures or partners between 16 January 1998 and 13 August 2010. The murders were in a series of retributional murders involving various underworld groups. The deaths caused a sustained power vacuum within Melbourne's criminal community, as various factions fought for control and influence. The majority of the murders are still unsolved, although police from the Purana Taskforce believe that Carl Williams was responsible for ten of them. The period culminated in the arrest of Carl Williams, who pleaded guilty on 28 February 2007 to three of the murders.[1]

Since the confession of Williams, the ultimate source of the violence has become public knowledge. On his 29th birthday while meeting with Jason Moran and his half brother Mark Moran on 13 October 1999 at a suburban park in Gladstone Park, Jason Moran shot Carl Williams in the stomach over a dispute about money earned in the amphetamine trade. Through the period after his run-in with the Moran family, Williams commenced a war with the aim of killing all of the Moran clan.[2]

The murder of former lawyer Mario Condello on 6 February 2006, caused speculation of a possible resurgence in the killings, although this was denied by police.[3]

On 19 April 2010, Carl Williams died while incarcerated at Barwon Prison after being attacked by an inmate.[4][5] Williams would have been 71 before becoming eligible for parole.

Background

The majority of underworld crime figures and major incidents can be traced back to the Painters and Dockers Union that existed on Melbourne's waterfront after the Second World War. The Union had a Mafia-like structure, and most criminal activity was centred around control of the Union, and the cut associated with the drugs (primarily heroin and cocaine) that passed through the port. The Melbourne Markets were seen as a natural distribution point for these illegal substances (they were just across the road from the docks area).

By 1990 the local manufacture of amphetamines had increased to the point where the Police described Melbourne as the "amphetamine capital of Australia".[6] As well as drug dealing, criminals received income through protection rackets in King Street nightclubs, as well as in prostitution, illegal gambling, and armed robbery.

Groups and factions

The following groups of people were connected to the murders. A number of those named below were members of more than one group at the same time.

The Honoured Society
A Calabrian 'Ndrangheta group that has long been linked with control of Melbourne's fruit and vegetable markets. Frank Benvenuto, Frank Tizzone, Robert Trimbole and Domenico Italiano are reported to have been associated with this group.
The Painters and Dockers / Moran family
A loose association of Irish waterfront workers and ex-members of the Painters and Dockers Union. Brian, Les, and Ray Kane, Graham Kinniburgh, Victor Pierce, Lewis, Mark, and Jason Moran have all been associated with 'the Dockers'.
The Carlton Crew
An independent cosa nostra group created by Alphonse Gangitano. Domenic "Mick" Gatto[7] and his lawyer George Defteros,[8] Matt Tomas, Mario Condello, and brothers Vincenzo and Gerardo Manella are also associated with this group.
Radev Gang
Led by Nikolai "The Russian" Radev, a convicted drug dealer and career criminal who was shot in Queen St, Coburg in 2003. No killer has been formally identified, although several possibles have been named (see Nik Radev). Mark Mallia, Housam Zayat, Istvan Gulyas and Willie Thompson were known associates.
The Sunshine Crew
Led by Paul "PK" Kallipolitis. Dino Dibra, Andrew 'Benji' Veniamin, Rocco Arico, Mark Mallia, Bluey Watkins, Johnny Auciello, Mark Morrison, Michael Dewhirst and Terrence Chimmiri were also members. All members of the group had been friends from their childhood. Benji Veniamin took over the group when Paul PK Kallipolitis was murdered.
The Williams Family
Led by Carl Williams, his father George Williams. Antonios Mokbel. Andrew Veniamin, Dino Dibra, Alfonso Traglia, Damien Cossu, Victor Brincat, Terrence Chimmiri, Hizir Ferman, Chris Orfandis and Robert Musso were known associates.

Investigation

The Purana Task Force was the name of the police unit that investigated the Melbourne gangland killings during the 2000s. The task force was established by Victoria Chief Commissioner of Police Christine Nixon in 2003,[9] and enjoyed success in investigating and halting the killings, despite being initially pushed for staff.[10][11] In 2008, following the halt in killings, the purview of the task force was expanded.

Investigations have been hampered by a "code of silence", with few organised crime figures willing to risk their lives to provide details to state and federal authorities. Victoria's state police have lamented the death of gang figures who were killed before they were able to aid their investigation.[12] Task Force Purana have been praised for their efforts to stop the killings.[13]

Timeline of deaths

1995

Greg Workman earned a reputation for himself as man who could dodge danger. As a teenager he clocked up various convictions for assault, burglary, theft, malicious wounding, firearm possession, abduction, armed robbery and escape, but as he grew older he moved into the amphetamines and marijuana industry. He was rumoured to be in some considered famous armed robberies and was known associates of the young Mark Moran and the infamous Russel "Mad Dog" Cox, the gang had committed large armed robberies together. Workman was shot and killed by his close friend Alphonse Gangitano after failing to pay back a $50,000 loan to cover lingering gambling debts. On the first episode of Underbelly, this was dramatised as a $5,000 debt as a result of a failed "business venture".

1998

1999

2000–2002

2003

2004

2006

2009

2010

Arrests and sentencing

Carl Williams was later charged along with Victor Brincat and Thomas Hentschel . He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges relating to his arrest in 2001 and in October 2004 was given a seven-year jail sentence, which he was serving in the maximum security Acacia unit of Barwon Prison at the time of his death.

Thomas Hentschel turned informer[41] and consequently, on 17 September 2004, Alfonso Traglia, Victor Brincat and Carl Williams were charged with the murders of Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro.[42] In May 2005 Carl Williams was additionally charged with the murder of Mark Moran, after a former employee agreed to testify that he was Carl's driver on the day of the incident, and drove him to a location near Mark's house at the time of the murder.[20] Zarah Garde-Wilson, the widow of Lewis Caine, is defending all of the men in their court cases.

Conspiracy to murder charges against George Defteros and Mario Condello were dropped nolle prosequi by the DPP in June 2005.

In May 2005, Keith Faure, brother Noel Faure, 50, and Evangelos Goussis, 37, all of Geelong were charged with the murder of Lewis Moran and the attempted murder of Bert Wrout. Security footage from Moran's murder showed that one of the gunmen had a tattoo identical to one of the accused.[43] Previously Keith and Evangelos been charged with the murder of Lewis Caine. Faure and associate, Evangelos Goussis became the first convicted of murder related to the gangland killings on 3 November 2005.

Known underworld figure Nicholas Ibrahim and Abraham Mokdessi was charged with the murder of Housam Zayat. During the trial in June 2005 an eyewitness to the shooting refused at the last minute to testify against Ibrahim, and was charged with contempt of court.[44]

In June 2005 Mick Gatto was found not guilty of the murder of Andrew Veniamin. During the trial, he claimed he had acted in self-defence after Veniamin pulled out a .38 calibre handgun and threatened to kill him. Gatto claims that during a struggle he was able to turn the gun around on Veniamin and fire one shot into his neck, and one shot in the eye. He also claimed that during the argument, Veniamin had implicated himself in the deaths of Dino Dibra, Paul Kallipolitis and Graham Kinniburgh.[45]

On 3 November 2005, Keith Faure and Evangelos Goussis became the first convicted with murder related to the Melbourne gangland killings. Both have appealed their conviction.[46]

On 14 July 2006, Damien Cossu was arrested at gunpoint while driving in Sydney. He was charged with the murder of Mark Mallia whose tortured body was stuffed in a wheelie bin, dumped in a stormwater drain and set alight. Cossu was also present at the murder of Nik Radev.[47][48]

On 28 February 2007, Carl Williams pleaded guilty to murdering Jason Moran in June 2003 and his father Lewis Moran in March 2004. He also pleaded guilty to a third murder, but the name of that victim was suppressed until recently when it was announced that it was Mark Mallia.

On 6 June 2007, it was announced that Mokbel had been arrested in a café in Athens.[40] At the time of his arrest, his appearance had changed significantly from when he went missing. Wearing a brown stuff wig and having grown a beard, Mokbel was found carrying a fake Australian passport and driver's licence in the name of Stephen Papas.[49] Tony Mokbel was finally extradited back to Melbourne (and Barwon Prison) on 17 May 2008, from Athens via a heavily guarded, private charter plane. His flight path included refuelling in the Maldives and Port Hedland, before landing at Tullamarine. He was then flown in a police helicopter to Barwon Prison. He appeared via video link to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 20 May 2008.[50]

On the same night Mokbel was arrested, police carried out a raid on an underworld gang calling themselves 'The Company'. Fourteen other underworld figures were arrested in Melbourne. Drugs, weapons and $790,000 in cash were seized.[51]

Purana Taskforce detectives arrested Angelo Mario Venditti for the murder of Paul Kallipoitis on 29 July 2008.[52]

On 9 March 2011, Judy Moran, the mother of slain sons, Mark and Jason Moran and also the ex-de facto partner of Lewis Moran (who was murdered in 2004) was found guilty of the murder of her brother-in-law Desmond "Tuppence" Moran. Moran claimed that she was visiting her son, Mark's grave at Fawkner cemetery at the time as the date of the murder was also the ninth anniversary of Mark's death. But the real motive for the crime was on ongoing dispute between Judy and Des over the money remaining after the murders of three family members. Judy Moran drove the shooter, Geoffery Armour and also accomplice Michael Farrugia to and from the Ascot Vale deli where Des was eventually shot and killed. It was then revealed that Armour pleaded guilty to the murder of Des Moran with Farrugia pleading guilty to manslaughter months earlier before becoming the prosecution's star witness in the case against Judy Moran in which the jury took seven days to deliberate before finally finding Moran guilty of murder.[53]

A drama series detailing the gangland war and the efforts made by the Purana taskforce to contain it, Underbelly, premiered on the Australia local television Nine Network on 13 February 2008. Due to ongoing legal proceedings in Victoria, Justice Betty King prohibited the Nine Network from airing the show in Victoria and from providing access to the show via their website. An edited version commenced screening in Victoria on 14 September 2008. In 2011 the ban was lifted and the series aired in an unedited version in Victoria.

See also

References

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  2. 'The untold, bloody story of Melbourne's underworld war', John Silvester, p.2, Thursday 1 March 2007
  3. Underworld figure shot dead in Melbourne, The Age, 7 February 2006.
  4. 1 2 3 Carl Williams dies in prison: report, The Age, 19 April 2010
  5. Hunt, Elissa (8 December 2011). "Carl William's killer Matthew Johnson jailed for at least 32 years". Herald-Sun. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  6. Cops, robbers, drugs and money, The Age 18 March 2003 Archived 12 June 2005 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. Silvester, John (11 June 2004). "The big fist of a criminal". The Age. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  8. Silvester, John (18 June 2004). "Underworld loses valued friend at court". The Age. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  9. 18 October 2003 Things are hotting up for the cop at the top The Age
  10. 4 September 2003 Vic police review gangland task force ABC Online
  11. 14 December 2003 Claims Vic police stretched thin The Age
  12. 10 July 2004 Tapes show chase before underworld murder ABC Online
  13. 1 April 2004 Gangland arrests 'saved a life' ABC Online
  14. Gangitano suspects won't testify, Toby Hemming, The Age, 16 January 2002
  15. Archived 11 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  16. 1 2 3 Melbourne's underworld hits The Age, 22 June 2003
  17. "DPP v Catania [2006] VSC 189 (22 May 2006)". austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  18. Archived 11 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  19. 1 2 Murder charge No.4 for Williams John Silvester, The Age 26 January 2005
  20. Williams case for Supreme Court Jewel Topsfield, The Age 20 May 2004 Archived 14 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  21. Alleged $20m drug trafficker goes free on bail, Olivia Hill-Douglas The Age 18 July 2002
  22. Archived 11 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  23. 1 2 When killers are victims too John Silvester, The Age 24 April 2004
  24. $100,000 reward to snare underworld hitman Jamie Berry, The Age, 31 December 2004
  25. (Recent events involving) Carl Williams The Age 9 June 2004
  26. Man arrested over gangland shooting, News.com.au, 29 July 2008 Archived 28 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  27. New lead in Bulgarian Nik's killing John Silvester The Age 13 December 2003
  28. Six named in underworld investigations Steve Butcher, The Age 23 December 2003
  29. Crime Scene John Silvester, The Age 13 December 2003
  30. Shooting heightens fears of underworld war John Silvester, Padraic Murphy, Robert Upe, The Age 23 July 2003
  31. Wealthy dating couple executed, Mark Buttler and Paul Anderson, The Herald Sun 21 October 2003
  32. Burial ground Adam Shand, The Bulletin 31 March 2004
  33. Mobsters Inc: How Melbourne became No.1 with a bullet Adam Shand, The Bulletin 14 February 2004
  34. A gangster who lived as he died: by the gun The Age, 5 March 2005 Archived 10 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  35. The Age, 31 May 2008
  36. Police probe on gang-hit pair Chris Evans and Dan Silkstone, The Age 1 June 2004
  37. 'Ganglands: The Force Strikes Back' Adam Shand, Sunday 13 June 2004 Archived 12 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  38. More arrests made in Melbourne gangland probe Zoe Daniel, The 7.30 Report Transcript, 17 June 2004
  39. 1 2 Disguised Mokbel grabbed at seaside cafeThe Age, 6 June 2007 Archived 27 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  40. "R v Hentschel [2005] VSC 6 (19 January 2005)". austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  41. Williams ordered killings, court told Stephen Moynihan, The Age 2 March 2005
  42. Three facing charges over Moran killing John Silvester, The Age 13 May 2005
  43. Underworld killing witness jailed for contempt Steve Butcher, The Age 7 June 2005
  44. Lawyers, guns and Gatto Mark Russell, The Age 19 June 2005
  45. , News.com.au Archived 7 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine.
  46. Man remanded over gangland killing ninemsn 14 July 2006 Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  47. Man extradited over gangland murder Jane Holroyd, The Age 14 July 2006
  48. Tony Mokbel's failed $1.6m bribe, The Daily Telegraph, 7 June 2007 Archived 14 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  49. Mokbel due to appeal in court on Tuesday, Ninemsn, 2008-18-05 Archived 12 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  50. Cash, drugs and weapons seized, The Age, 6 June 2007 Archived 6 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  51. Man in court over gangland murder, News.com.au, 29 July 2008
  52. Anderson, Paul (9 March 2011). "Judy Moran found guilty of the-murder-of Des 'Tuppence' Moran". Herald Sun.


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