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Williams: part-time TV star, full-time crook, now dead

Paul Colgan

by Paul Colgan

19 Apr 02:14pm

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Filed under: Carl Williams, Crime, Underbelly

66 comments

Carl Williams became a household name outside Victoria thanks to the first of the enormously successful TV series Underbelly, which is now in its third season on Channel 9.

Carl Williams was a modern-day TV phenomenon. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

Williams, a career criminal, died today as a result of head injuries inflicted in an assault by another inmate at Barwon Prison, where he was serving a minimum of 35 years for three murders.

Williams became something of a grotesque poster boy for Melbourne’s gangland war which came to national attention six years ago as tit-for-tat killings between rival drug gangs became increasingly daring and public. The brazen public murder of Jason Moran - shot dead along with a fellow criminal in a car park after attending a kids’ footy clinic - was something of a watershed moment in the war and it was masterminded by Williams.

The gangland war was a brutal power struggle but Williams’s larger-than-life character - the cheeky, “what, me, a criminal?” smile, his shamelessly bogan fashion sense that contrasted with his enemies sharper looks - that provided the foundation for great television.

You have to wonder whether, without his place in the story, it would ever have progressed beyond fodder for current affairs coverage.

Instead the first Underbelly series was a compelling docu-drama and while much of the narrative focus was on the Moran family, the people everyone loved to talk about after the show were Carl and his then-wife Roberta. They were the characters that got quoted around water-coolers and drove much of the popularity of the show.

They weren’t just people with ties to Melbourne’s criminal underworld - they were celebrities in their own right. There was a period of massive media interest in Roberta and she stripped down to pose for a lads’ mag.

Within hours of his death being announced, Carl Williams’s name was the third-highest trending topic on Twitter.

He was back in the news pages just this morning. He might have been locked up but he was never out of the spotlight.

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Most commented

66 comments

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    • BTS says:

      02:28pm | 19/04/10

      Carl Williams had enemies in jail???

      Let’s hope that don’t turn him into a folk hero like that other murderer Ned Kelly.

      Reply

    • Mick G says:

      04:43pm | 19/04/10

      Did you know Ned personally did you?

    • Al says:

      05:35pm | 19/04/10

      You don’t have to know Ned Kelly personally to know he was a murderer you goose.

    • Penster says:

      02:44am | 21/04/10

      A disgraceful comparison! Ned Kelly did what he did to survive and support his family.

    • BTS says:

      08:10am | 21/04/10

      So I can kill you Penster and take all your possessions, if I am trying to survive and supporting my family?

    • Barry says:

      02:55pm | 19/04/10

      It’s a jungle in there?

      Reply

    • Nicole says:

      08:05pm | 19/04/10

      Hahaha. Gold, Barry! I hope you don’t mind if I use that line at work tomorrow.

    • Jacki says:

      03:05pm | 19/04/10

      Good Riddance to a scumbag.
      Violence begets Violence

      Reply

    • BTS says:

      02:50pm | 19/04/10

      Only the Media says they are ‘celebrities’ and that’s because they’re too lazy to undertake real investigative journalism.  I can’t wait for Tracy Grimshaw’s three days of live reporting from outside the prison.

      Reply

    • Jack Thomas says:

      09:53am | 20/04/10

      The whole media perpetuate this celebrity status thing BTS, including the media of choice for the middle class sneering pseudo-intellectaul (ABC and The Age).

      Don’t blame just the tabloids, even The Punch will grab the chance to rattle on about Mick Gatto if given half a chance.

      The media does the real dog whistling, the wanna be gangsters and general suckups all come out and pretend they are Sopranos. All because the media glamourise them, Mick Gatto gettting front pages and Roberta Williams paid for photo shoots.

      Still, I will remember fondly that photo of Carl lying on the ground in a park at the feet of the arresting officers and having just p1ssed his pants. Almost as much as I enjoyed hearing that stupid loser Mick Gatto being turned over by Derryn Hinch live on radio.

    • stephen says:

      03:38pm | 19/04/10

      I haven’t seen Underbelly yet, but i bet all the rich criminals wear $2000 suits, are kind to women and children and got cousins in Costa Rica.
      No ?
      OK, I’ll tell yer where there at. They live in a housing commision place, and after dark they slink after dark pickin’ up old cigarette butts to make new ones, and when there’s a knock at the door, they sweat and mutter ‘shit, who do i owe money to?’
      And yer can forget about honour ; they ain’t got no honour, thats why they’re criminals
      (What they do have, however, is vengeance, vindictiveness and payback. Honour is reserved for those who stay clean, and make a go of it.)
      In my travels i’ve known a few baddies, some real bad.
      I haven’t kept in touch with any of’em.
      They ain’t worth a crumpet.
      None of ‘em.

      Reply

    • Mick G says:

      04:47pm | 19/04/10

      Or another way of saying what you really want to say: You just havn’t been caught doing anything illegal?

      Anyone and everyone is capable of committing a crime or at best being found guilty of a crime, you included..Given the situation, given the circumstance its very possible son do don’t think for a minute it wont happen to you cause if damm well could…....Best word of advice you will ever get!

      You could easily be driving down the road casually and opps! accidentally run over ‘ol grandma and find yourself doing 6-10 for manslaughter….....your world will change in an instant! forever!

    • stephen says:

      05:15pm | 19/04/10

      I’ve been caught, and the criminal act, generally, involves a gestation period. We think about the crime (could take months), and the planning.
      Every day we have a chance to say no. It is wrong. This is a fact, i believe, that sentencing judges do not take into account, with regard to light sentences.

    • Al says:

      05:38pm | 19/04/10

      Mick G - if that is your real name… what a load of crap, there is a big difference between someone who has a car accident and a career criminal who profits from crime.

      BTW - for your scenario to be accurate you would have to be behaving in a reckless or grossly negligent fashion - not just driving down the road.

    • Rod J'That says:

      03:51pm | 19/04/10

      Isn’t the main question why any prisoner - and in particular a ‘celebrity’ prisoner like Carl Williams - would be left in a situation by prison authorities where something like this could happen? If the state decides to incarcerate someone, then surely the state needs to take responsibility for that person’s safety and welfare during the term of the incarceration. It’s perfectly foreseeable that someone like Carl Williams would have enemies amongst the other prisoners, or at least would be an attractive ‘scalp’ because of his notoriety. We don’t have to like the fellow nor condone his crimes to argue that the state had a responsibility to protect him. What a disgrace.

      Reply

    • Rev says:

      04:02pm | 19/04/10

      Cheer up Rod.  At least this saves the taxpayer from paying for his lard arse the rest of his years.  Good riddance, should have happened sooner.

    • BTS says:

      04:08pm | 19/04/10

      So if the State didn’t allow him other human contact, would he be seeking damages for inhuman treatment?

      Where would you stand on this?

    • Rod J'That says:

      04:27pm | 19/04/10

      BTS, I’m not sure that any prisoner would have a right of action for ‘inhuman treatment’ if they were kept in isolation for their own protection, nor am I sure whether damages would be the remedy if that right of action was available. But putting that aside, surely the state could allow a prisoner human contact while at the same time ensuring the prisoner’s safety? Where would you stand on that?

    • Dan says:

      04:28pm | 19/04/10

      I with you Rev, how much was he costing us per year?

    • Mick G says:

      04:38pm | 19/04/10

      Wouldn’t matter champ…even if he’s in protection….different world inside a prison…..if they want to get at you they will…..an opportunity always arises at some point….Screws are generally a lazy bunch anyway!

    • BTS says:

      08:34pm | 19/04/10

      RodJThat,

      They would have a right of action for being kept in isolation.  The terror suspects fought for just that right.  Damages and the right to contact would be the result of any action.

      It appears these were ‘trusted’ contacts.

      Any time you allow contact with another person you compromise their safety, no matter what.  That’s human behaviour.  So you can’t have it both ways, you can’t isolate them, so if you allow contact, you can’t gurantee safety.  A shiv kills you in shorter time than anyone else can humanly react.  The prison can only do so much.

    • jm says:

      08:45pm | 19/04/10

      you are so right Rod J ..

    • Mr. Grey says:

      11:00pm | 19/04/10

      Your right Rod J. We should have had you in there to hold his hand. I’m sure you wouldn’t have charged any extra for it. How much do you think should have been spent on him in his 35 years to make sure he had a body guard with him at all times. It is a prison, bad things happen to bad people.

    • RM52 says:

      04:40pm | 19/04/10

      thats the problem with prison, lottsa bad people . who cares ? , what time is the next race, move on.

      Reply

    • James J says:

      04:47pm | 19/04/10

      Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke

      Reply

    • Andrew says:

      04:55pm | 19/04/10

      Amen brother.

    • Ted says:

      04:48pm | 19/04/10

      I hate Carl Williams and his ‘fame’ more than most - for someone who’s never had anything to do with him anyway - but this is someone’s dad who died, you shouldn’t be saying how good it is that he’s gone publicly.

      Reply

    • DCL says:

      10:02pm | 19/04/10

      She’s better off without the piece of scum

    • Joe says:

      05:03pm | 19/04/10

      You sound pretty tough, Mick G? Are you, or as your name suggests, are you just pretending to be someone else?

      Reply

    • BTS says:

      08:40pm | 19/04/10

      It isn’t him.

    • Rob says:

      05:28pm | 19/04/10

      Ted is right, there is an 8 year old girl out there who lost her dad today, and to her he was a hero and a saint. People who espouse killing in any form are no better than Williams. I’m talking to you Jacki, Rev, Dan, RM52, and James J. Read your own comments, you sound uneducated and vile. Taxes pay for a lot of things and keeping people safe is one of them. Regardless of what you think of him, Williams was sentenced to 35 years, not death. You may wish otherwise but that’s the way it is.

      Reply

    • James J says:

      07:17pm | 19/04/10

      Get over yourself. Everyone dies. Williams chose to deprive other people of their right to live, just as he was deprived of his. It is sad that his 8 year old girl lost a father, but it happens everyday. What kind of role model do you think Carl was serving 3 life sentences for drug crimes and murder anyway? He chose the life he chose and knowing the potential risks.

    • Rev says:

      11:59pm | 19/04/10

      Awesome work Rob - play the ‘think of children’ card.  You and all the other bleeding hearts are off your rocker if you think anything said about Carl Williams on this forum is of any import to his daughter.  I’d imagine the opinions of her peers will have a far greater role in shaping her future. 

      And yes, taxes do pay for a lot of things, and not paying a fortune per year to keep this idiot alive still sounds fantastic.

    • Vicki PS says:

      12:54am | 20/04/10

      You are right to a point, Rob.  Rejoicing in a violent death is ugly and unpleasant behaviour that reflects badly on the person’s moral character.  However, I would hope that that unfortunate little 8 year old is not encouraged to see her late dad as a “hero and a saint”.  It was just that kind of thinking that allowed Williams to rationalise murdering 4 people as a completely justifiable defence of his family.  The best I could wish for that little lass is that she has sensible, loving adults who will help her understand that what her dad did was very wrong, and made other people so angry that they did bad things back to him.  And while the state has a basic responsibility for the safety of anyone in its custody, realistically someone was going to get Williams sooner or later, regardless of best efforts at protection.

      Let’s hope the futility of revenge can be halted with the next generation.

    • Rob says:

      07:38am | 20/04/10

      And so he deserved to die? Being opinionated is one thing James J but being brutal and unforgiving is another. Of course everyone dies, and fathers die every day. It doesn’t lessen the tragedy for the children involved. And 8 year olds don’t understand what role models are, they just love their dads. If you don’t understand that you are indeed a fool.

    • BTS says:

      09:53am | 20/04/10

      What about the children of the victims Williams killed?  Bet there are more than one.

    • wk says:

      10:55am | 20/04/10

      I’m with you Rob.
      I don’t condone any of williams behaviour, but I’m sick of these hateful, vile comments that people spew on to sites like these. There’s something sick about taking joy in the death of a stranger (watching a tv show & reading newspapers doesn’t mean we actually knew the man)
      meanhwile, I have serious doubts about our high security prisons and the people who work in them!

    • Michael says:

      01:42pm | 20/04/10

      BTS asks what about the other children who have lost parents/family through Williams’ doings (especially the sad case of Michael Marshall). Yes, there are more than one. Each as traumatised and deprived and innocent as Dakhota Williams. I will add that just because her father, like the fathers of the Moran, Gangitano and other children did what they did in life, it doesn’t lessen the impact or feeling of loss. She deserved it no more than the other innocent children. Do well to remember that ok champ.

    • BTS says:

      04:19pm | 20/04/10

      Michael,

      I will write this slowly so you can keep up.  No where did I say it wasn’t distressing for the child.  Try to reflect on the comments that are written, not the ones you imagine in your head.

      He killed more kid’s father’s than anyone else.  You might want to take some time to comprehend that runner up!

    • Emily says:

      05:40pm | 19/04/10

      carl williams was a national household name way before underbelly, the series with the constant narration that spells everthing out because it can’t employ efficient methods to tell the story in pictures.

      Reply

    • Gavin says:

      10:47pm | 19/04/10

      Probably could if the WOWSER groups got themselves a life and weren’t so quick to the censorship button. Oh an FYI they were household names in Melbourne really.

      The ‘Gangland Wars’ were known about elsewhere, but Underbelly’s narration was there to lend itself to the benefit of the rest of the world who might not have been as au fait with the goings on in Melbourne, and who wouldn’t necessarily pick up a copy of the Herald Sun.

    • julia says:

      06:09pm | 19/04/10

      Should I say ‘vale’ or not? Hmmm. I’ll get back to you.

      Reply

    • Bruce says:

      07:55pm | 19/04/10

      I would like to see a royal commission into all parties involved.

      Reply

    • BTS says:

      05:05am | 20/04/10

      Why a Royal Commission?

    • iansand says:

      10:07am | 20/04/10

      To find out what he was telling the authorities.  Cops don’t pay kids’ school fees for nothing.

    • BTS says:

      11:43am | 20/04/10

      So if he’s providing more information to Police, why do you need to know?

    • Onkel_Dieter says:

      10:30pm | 19/04/10

      I wonder if he had that stupid grin on his face while he was being bashed? smile

      Reply

    • Graham says:

      10:39pm | 19/04/10

      Why does the media insist in turning this person into a celebrity?  You call for the sacking of Christine Nixon who for all her faults, has actually contributed to society, but turn this crim. into some sort of a hero. Sick.

      Reply

    • 6c legs says:

      12:45pm | 20/04/10

      exactly.

      work all your adult life for your society, read a situation wrongly (a ‘situation’ MANY OTHER OF YOUR CONTEMPARYS read wrongly) and then watch the wolves (former collegues and “friends”) lock-on for a feeding frenzing.

      but, do nothing for society but cause mayhem, and comercial media will do their darndest to turn you into a celebrity.

      I feel sorry for the children caught up in this. but williams made his bed years ago, and this to me shows how dumb he really must have been - in his his shoes I wouldn’t have *trusted* anyone in there to not be after me… but then, career criminals aren’t usually the brightest globe in the pack. . .

    • BTS says:

      01:35pm | 20/04/10

      and commercial media see no problem with that…

    • Mr. Grey says:

      10:51pm | 19/04/10

      I can’t wait to see it on YOUTUBE. May be Roberta should be worried now.

      Reply

    • Razor says:

      11:29pm | 19/04/10

      I do hope it hurt - a lot.

      Reply

    • Wirewolf says:

      12:19am | 20/04/10

      Karma. It gets you every time…

      Reply

    • Harry says:

      01:39am | 20/04/10

      I only have one thing to say, that Is, good news, the Underworld is finish,
      The Real King Ping. will be the Next One, then its over and out,
      Good Luck Mick Getto. REST IN PEACE.

      Reply

    • xiaoecho says:

      10:20pm | 20/04/10

      What’s a King Ping?  - is that a chinese criminal overlord?

    • Alex Kelly says:

      07:46am | 20/04/10

      Look at what you gone an’ done Paul, brought out all the gangsters.
      Up de Drogs!

      Reply

    • Darryl says:

      09:57am | 20/04/10

      I reckon that might be the closest young Carl ever got to a piece of exercise equipment.
      He was a nasty piece of work and I do not grieve his death.

      Reply

    • NS says:

      04:42pm | 20/04/10

      While I do not condone what happened to Carl Williams on any level,,, he was a violent criminal who lived life on the back of others by dealing drugs, killing and ordering killings. This is not glamorous, it is vile thuggery! As the saying goes “what goes around, comes around”. Sadly for his daughter, she will grow up without her father at all, but what kind of a father was he going to be anyway?

      Reply

    • Scottu R says:

      05:06pm | 20/04/10

      True Micky should get double bodyguards, You would be blind not to see the next hit coming.

      Reply

    • BTS says:

      05:50pm | 20/04/10

      The irony that the family of someone who spent their life murdering people and trafficking drugs, totally disregarding the law, is now demanding justice, is also not lost.

      Reply

    • Union Thug says:

      06:14pm | 20/04/10

      Am I the only one who noticed the headline in The Oz today?

      “Vicious cycle catches up with Williams”

      BEST ... PUN ... EVER!!!

      Reply

    • bloke says:

      08:16pm | 20/04/10

      well, i guess he just paid he’s dues. had them coming. surely he lived everyday knowing this.

      Reply

    • Nicole says:

      11:20pm | 20/04/10

      The worst part is, this will probably inspire the creators of Underbelly to make another season. This will lead to even more a) boring TV (yes, having a narrator gab at you in a serious tone every 5 minutes is boring), and b) more bogan glorification of bogan criminals. Great.

      Reply

    • Penster says:

      02:46am | 21/04/10

      A commemorative moccasin is being made

      Reply

    • H of SA says:

      11:39am | 21/04/10

      Wasn’t underbelly that soft porn show aimed at selling products to wannabe edy people?

      Reply

    • Windsmoke says:

      02:55pm | 21/04/10

      Good riddance to another greedy brutal convicted criminal who caused misery, heartache and death through the sale of illegal drugs. His brutal passing won’t be missed by the majority of Victorian’s. To bad, so sad i say.

      Reply
 
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