Accused killer of 'Underbelly' gangster revealed

Photo / NZ Herald

MELBOURNE - The identity of the man accused of bludgeoning gangland murderer Carl Williams to death with a bicycle part has been revealed.

Matthew Charles Johnson, 37, is charged with the murder of Williams inside Barwon Prison's high-security Acacia unit in April.

Two court orders preventing his identity from being published were lifted by a Victorian court yesterday.

Williams, 39, suffered severe head injuries when he was bashed with the metal stem of an exercise bike.

He suffered a heart attack and could not be revived.

Corrections Victoria Commissioner Bob Hastings yesterday said he could not verify claims that prison guards were playing indoor cricket at the time, instead of watching inmates.

Victorian Premier John Brumby called the claims "conjecture".

The Herald Sun newspaper reported that guards had been known to play indoor cricket while on duty.

The newspaper said there was no suggestion cricket matches were a factor in the killing of Williams, but it said Corrections Victoria management was alarmed by news of the cricket match and has warned staff there should be no repeat.

The corrections watchdog, the Office of Correctional Services Review, police and the Victorian coroner are investigating the circumstances of his death. The probe is being overseen by the Office of Police Integrity.

A leaked autopsy report claimed that Williams remained unnoticed by prison guards for almost 30 minutes.

A CCTV camera is believed to have captured the initial blow before Williams was dragged out of view.

Williams' ex-wife Roberta and his father George are expected to be witnesses at Johnson's committal hearing next month, when the accused killer will argue defensive homicide.

Williams, a convicted gangland murderer and drug dealer, was viewed by police as one of Victoria's most ruthless gangland identities.

He killed four drug-business rivals, is suspected of killing at least six others and ran Melbourne's drug trade for enough years to warrant a starring role in the first season of television's true crime Underbelly series.

Johnson is expected to appear in Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday for a pre-trial committal mention.

- AAP