Second stepdaughter sues Victoria over gangland murder of Carl Williams

The Victorian government has paid out a second of Carl Williams’ daughters over his prison slaying only to be sued by her older sister.

Our client, Danielle, has launched a near identical legal action against the state over the jailhouse murder of the gangland kingpin in 2010.

Both Stephens sisters allege the state failed to protect Williams after he became a police informant, resulting in his brutal murder in one of the most secure areas of Barwon Prison.

Williams, 39, was murdered by infamous inmate Matthew “The General” Johnson who struck him repeatedly while under the gaze of CCTV cameras.

Johnson was known to prison authorities as the leader of the “Prisoners of War” gang whose members detested snitches.

At the time of his murder, Williams was set to be a key witness in a double murder trial.

Kristen Wright, a lawyer from Arnold Thomas & Becker who is representing Danielle Stephens, said they alleged: “Corrections Victoria failed to ensure the safe custody and welfare of the prisoners and specifically Carl Williams”.

“…the State of Victoria failed to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment of the potential harm Johnson posed to Carl Williams by approving the transfer request and any potential placement of Carl Williams with Johnson,” Ms Wright said.

“As a result of these failures, our client has experienced the loss of her stepfather and has consequently suffered injury in the form of psychiatric/psychological injury, loss and damage.”

Read the full story at The Herald Sun.

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I’d been living the dream my entire life and it all came crashing down. When I was faced with a legal issue, I didn’t know where to start as far as making a claim. I saw an ad on TV saying give “Arnold Thomas & Becker a call…” so I did. 

After speaking with Lee Flanagan and listening to his knowledge of law, I felt at ease as he understood my situation and my occupation as a Professional Athlete.  I decided then and there this was the right law firm for me.

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I’m so grateful to the Arnold Thomas & Becker team – they achieved an incredible outcome for me.  I’m relieved to put all this behind me and start my life again.

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Ross Clarke-Jones - Big Wave Surfer