Vic: Overland sorry Williams is dead

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2010
Vic: Overland sorry Williams is dead

MELBOURNE, April 20 AAP - Victoria's chief commissioner, a former head of the Purana
anti-gangland taskforce, is sorry gangland killer Carl Williams is dead.

Chief Commissioner Simon Overland says any murder is wrong, regardless of the victim's history.

"Everyone, regardless of what they have done or who they are, is entitled to their
life," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

"Carl Williams is no different from anyone else so I am sorry that he has died and
particularly that he's died in the circumstances that played out yesterday."

Mr Overland, who used to head the Purana Taskforce charged with investigating Melbourne's
gangland war, has asked his deputy Sir Ken Jones to head the investigation into Williams'
slaying.

He said Sir Ken will bring an objective mind to the investigation.

"He has the benefit of not having been previously involved in any of the underworld
murders or investigations," Mr Overland said.

"He will bring a genuinely objective mind to this whole process."

Williams was bashed to death allegedly by a fellow inmate in an exercise facility at
the Acacia Unit of the high-security Barwon Prison about 12.50pm (AEST) on Monday.

He was sitting at a table when he was hit from behind several times with the stem of
an exercise bike.

A police spokesman said charges were expected to be laid on Tuesday and there would
be a filing hearing at the Geelong Magistrates' Court, where a prisoner would appear via
video link.

AAP mj/gfr/maur

KEYWORD: WILLIAMS OVERLAND

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