Vic: Williams thought he was safe in jail: Stary

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2010
Vic: Williams thought he was safe in jail: Stary

MELBOURNE, April 21 AAP - Gangland killer Carl Williams, who was bashed to death in
prison on Monday, thought he was safe behind bars.

His lawyer, Rob Stary, said Williams believed he was secure in the Acacia unit of the
high security Barwon Prison.

When asked if Williams told him he feared for his safety, Mr Stary replied: "No, on the contrary.

"Being in the state's strictest regime where he was constantly monitored ... we thought
he was secure, he thought he was secure and the authorities thought that he was secure,"

he told the Nine Network on Wednesday.

"There has obviously been a very, very serious lapse."

Mr Stary welcomed the Office of Police Integrity's decision to oversee the police investigation
into Williams' death.

"They bring with it a pool of expertise and various powers, including coercive powers
of investigation," he said.

Williams, 39, suffered serious head injuries after he was allegedly bashed about 12.50pm
(AEST) on Monday.

He suffered a heart attack and could not be revived.

A fellow inmate, 36, is charged with one count of murder and appeared via video link
from prison at the Geelong Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

AAP mj/gfr/maur/bwl

KEYWORD: WILLIAMS STARY

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