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Andrew Fraser (lawyer)
Encyclopedia
Andrew Fraser was a high profile Melbourne based lawyer sentenced to seven years imprisonment with a minimum period of five years imprisonment
in 2001 for being knowingly concerned with the importation of a commercial quantity of cocaine
. In 2006, Fraser was released two months earlier than his release date from Fulham Correctional Centre
after agreeing to give evidence against serial killer Peter Dupas
in his trial for the murder of Mersina Helvagis. He applied for a share of a 1 million dollar reward for solving the murder .
's Enough Rope
and published a book entitled Court In The Middle, which is claimed to be "a true story of cocaine, police, corruption and prison". On both Enough Rope and in his book, Fraser alleges widespread drug use within the Victorian Prison system, claiming that Fulham is "awash with drugs". He also alleges corruption within the Victorian Police and the prison system run by Corrections Victoria
. Fraser admits in the book to being addicted to cocaine
prior to his arrest, but claims that he has been clean ever since.
. Part of the book discusses aspects of his relationship with his fellow inmates (including Leslie Camilleri) and with the guards of the unit. The rest of the book is taken up with Fraser's relationship with Peter Dupas
and his role in Dupas
' confession and subsequent conviction for the murder
of Mersina Halvagis.
, was produced in 2009 by FremantleMedia
, TV1
and Film Victoria
. David Wenham
portrays Fraser. The series has aired in its entirety in New Zealand, but broadcast within Australia has been delayed by ongoing court cases involving Fraser and Dupas. An edited version is scheduled to air on TV1 on 2 November 2011.
Imprisonment
Imprisonment is a legal term.The book Termes de la Ley contains the following definition:This passage was approved by Atkin and Duke LJJ in Meering v Grahame White Aviation Co....
in 2001 for being knowingly concerned with the importation of a commercial quantity of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
. In 2006, Fraser was released two months earlier than his release date from Fulham Correctional Centre
Fulham Correctional Centre
Fulham Correctional Centre is a medium security Australian prison located in Hopkins Road, Sale, Victoria, Australia. The prison consists of mainstream medium security cell blocks, a drug and alcohol treatment unit and a protection unit....
after agreeing to give evidence against serial killer Peter Dupas
Peter Dupas
Peter Norris Dupas is an Australian serial killer, currently serving three consecutive life sentences for murder. His violent criminal history spans more than three decades, and with every release from prison has been known to commit further crimes against women with increasing levels of violence...
in his trial for the murder of Mersina Helvagis. He applied for a share of a 1 million dollar reward for solving the murder .
Television interview
In 2007, Fraser gave an interview on Andrew DentonAndrew Denton
Andrew Christopher Denton is an Australian television producer, comedian, Gold Logie-nominated television presenter and former radio host, and was the host of the ABC's weekly television interview program Enough Rope. He is known for his comedy and interviewing technique...
's Enough Rope
Enough Rope
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton is a television interview show originally broadcast on ABC Television in Australia...
and published a book entitled Court In The Middle, which is claimed to be "a true story of cocaine, police, corruption and prison". On both Enough Rope and in his book, Fraser alleges widespread drug use within the Victorian Prison system, claiming that Fulham is "awash with drugs". He also alleges corruption within the Victorian Police and the prison system run by Corrections Victoria
Corrections Victoria
Corrections Victoria is the Victorian government department established in 2003, responsible for Victoria's corrections system. Corrections Victoria manages approximately 50 Community Correctional Centres in Victoria and is also responsible for the management of the states public prisons as well as...
. Fraser admits in the book to being addicted to cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
prior to his arrest, but claims that he has been clean ever since.
New Book
In 2008, Fraser published a new book Lunatic Soup which details his time in in the Sirius East unit of Port Phillip PrisonPort Phillip Prison
Port Phillip Prison is a maximum security prison located at Truganina, Victoria, Australia. It is Victoria's largest prison, able to accommodate up to 824 prisoners. The prison is privately operated on behalf of the Government of Victoria by G4S Australia Pty Ltd.-Construction and...
. Part of the book discusses aspects of his relationship with his fellow inmates (including Leslie Camilleri) and with the guards of the unit. The rest of the book is taken up with Fraser's relationship with Peter Dupas
Peter Dupas
Peter Norris Dupas is an Australian serial killer, currently serving three consecutive life sentences for murder. His violent criminal history spans more than three decades, and with every release from prison has been known to commit further crimes against women with increasing levels of violence...
and his role in Dupas
Peter Dupas
Peter Norris Dupas is an Australian serial killer, currently serving three consecutive life sentences for murder. His violent criminal history spans more than three decades, and with every release from prison has been known to commit further crimes against women with increasing levels of violence...
' confession and subsequent conviction for the murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of Mersina Halvagis.
TV Series
A television mini-series based on Fraser's experiences, entitled 'Killing Time'Killing Time (TV series)
Killing Time is an Australian television drama series for TV1 subscription television channel that first screened in 2011. It is based on the true story of disgraced lawyer Andrew Fraser. In New Zealand it screens on Prime Television....
, was produced in 2009 by FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...
, TV1
TV1
TV1 may refer to:* TV1 , Australian cable and satellite television channel* TV One , New Zealand television network* TV1 , defunct Estonian television channel* TV1 , Lithuanian television channel...
and Film Victoria
Film Victoria
Film Victoria is a statutory authority of the State Government of Victorian, Australia that provides strategic leadership and assistance for film, television, and digital media production in the Australian state of Victoria....
. David Wenham
David Wenham
David Wenham is an Australian actor who has appeared in movies, television series and theatre productions. He is known in Hollywood for his roles as Faramir in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Carl in Van Helsing and Dilios in 300 and Neil Fletcher in Australia...
portrays Fraser. The series has aired in its entirety in New Zealand, but broadcast within Australia has been delayed by ongoing court cases involving Fraser and Dupas. An edited version is scheduled to air on TV1 on 2 November 2011.