Michael Kanaan
Encyclopedia
Michael Kanaan is a Lebanese Australia
n triple murderer from Sydney, New South Wales, currently serving three sentences of life imprisonment
plus 50 years and 4 months without the possibility of parole
, for the murder of three people and other offences, all committed in Sydney between 17 July 1998 and 22 December 1998. In the drama series Underbelly: The Golden Mile
he was portrayed by actor Ryan Corr
.
faith and that he abstained from the consumption of alcohol
. He attended CBHS Lewisham in Sydney and achieved a good result in his Higher School Certificate. He entered a degree course at university
with a view to entering the Australian Federal Police
force, but following a conviction for an assault
charge he instead entered the computer industry.
. Other members included Kanaan, Rabeeh Mawas, Wassim El-Assaad, Charlie Gea Gea, Saleh Jamal, and a man who would later be given the pseudonym "Alan Rossini".
in Sydney's inner-western suburbs. Shortly after leaving the cafe they stopped on Great North Road at traffic lights. Nearby was the Five Dock Hotel. On the footpath, two friends, Ronald Singleton and Michael Hurle were involved in an altercation, and they were joined by a third friend, Adam Wright. Rossini yelled to the trio "Come on, fellows, punch on". Singleton replied with a racist comment and a fight involving the three patrons, Rossini, Kazzi and Kanaan ensued. Kanaan produced a gun and fired at least four shots (witnesses reported varying numbers of shots) before the group drove off.
Singleton had been shot through the right arm, although he did not realise this until the group had driven off. He survived. Wright was shot in the lower abdomen. Hurle had been shot in the lower left chest, while a second bullet had passed through his clothing and missed his body. Wright and Hurle were hospitalised but died the following day.
, in Sydney's south-west, following a dispute over a gun. Again, on the evidence of "Rossini", Kanaan was challenged when he intervened in a verbal altercation. "Who the fuck are you?" asked Elias. Kanaan produced his gun, said "Who the fuck am I?" and started shooting at Elias' feet. Jamal fired two shots at Elias, hitting him in the buttock. He later described the attack, saying "Fuck Les, I shot him in the arse. The cops are going to shit. Two kneecappings in the one day, in the same place."
in Sydney's south-west.
Kanaan, who had links to some of those present at the scene, was informed of the situation, and was involved, along with Moustapha's brother Mohamed, and Narwas Refai, in arranging for the Dib brothers to be transported to Queensland
and alibis created by way of associates in Queensland booking a motel and ordering food under the Dibs' names.
, in Sydney's south-west. Kanaan and El-Assaad were found not guilty by a District Court
jury
on 16 May 2005. Jamal still faces charges in relation to the shooting.
, in Sydney's inner-south. The charges against Jamal were dropped and the charges against Kanaan and El-Assaad also appear to have been dropped.
, in Sydney's inner-city. When Karam arrived at the unit, Kanaan, Mawas, El-Assaad and Gea Gea armed themselves and left the unit. El-Assaad re-entered the unit. Karam spent a few minutes talking to Rossini before leaving for his car, which was parked on the street outside. As he sat in his car, he was shot 16 times by Kanaan, Mawas and Danny Aloisi. (It is alleged, Gea Gea, shortly after the shooting fled to Lebanon
and Australian authorities have been unsuccessful in securing his extradition).
. Kanaan and the others left their vehicle and proceeded on foot to Weigall Sports Ground. Rossini and Cheikh escaped. El-Assaad was tackled by Fotopoulos. Patrech climbed the fence of a tennis court in pursuit of Kanaan and was shot in the right thigh by Kanaan. As he retreated he was shot in the right wrist. He fell from the fence, fracturing his right ankle and injuring his hip. Taking cover, he called to Fotopoulos, who went to his aid and engaged in a gunfight with Kanaan. He shot Kanaan in both legs, buttocks and right wrist. Whilst shooting at Fotopoulos, Kanaan accidentally shot himself in the foot.
On 17 September 1999, Kanaan was arrested in relation to the Five Dock murders and the murder of Karam.
On 29 November 1999 Magistrate
Pat O'Shane
discharged Kanaan from standing trial in relation to the White City shooting. Ms O'Shane called the two police officers "stupid, reckless and foolhardy" and said that "the circumstances in which constables Patrech and Fotopoulos became involved with...Kanaan and his cohorts...indicated police harassment of youth" and there was "not a shred of evidence which gives rise to any factual or reasonable cause on the part of these police to chase these young fellows on this particular night." The Director of Public Prosecutions was not impressed and ordered that Kanaan stand trial on the basis of an ex-officio indictment.
On 18 October 2000, the White City trial was aborted after two jurors indicated they may be associated with parties involved in the trial.
On 26 February 2001, Kanaan's Five Dock trial was aborted as a result of an article in The Sydney Morning Herald
the previous day.
On 8 August 2001 a Supreme Court
jury
convicted Kanaan in relation to the Five Dock murders.
On 31 October 2001 Supreme Court Justice Greg James
sentenced Kanaan to two terms of life imprisonment
plus 25 years imprisonment in relation to the malicious wounding of Singleton, with no non-parole period set. Notably, all three sentences were the maximum possible sentences for the relevant offences. Justice James noted that "I am firmly of the view that, having regard to the multiplicity of the offences, the two killings, in the context of the wounding of Mr Singleton, and also the total culpability of the offender for the three offences, the sentence of life imprisonment for each of the murders is the only appropriate sentence".
On 6 June 2002 a Supreme Court jury
convicted Kanaan, along with Mawas and El-Assaad in relation to the murder of Karam.
On 29 August 2002, |Supreme Court Justice James Wood
sentenced Kanaan to life imprisonment
in relation to the murder of Karam.
Mawas was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 19 years.
El-Assaad was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 years (on 13 April 2006 the Court of Criminal Appeal reduced the sentence to 22 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 16 years 6 months).
On 18 December 2002 Supreme Court Justice Robert Hulme sentenced Kanaan in relation to being an accessory after the fact
to the malicious wounding of Edward Lee (having pleaded guilty). He was sentenced to 3 years 4 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 2 years, as was Mohamed Dib. Refai was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, fully suspended.
The second White City trial began on In July 2003 but after the jury were unable to reach a verdict it was discharged.
In November 2004 the 3rd White City trial commenced. It was also aborted.
In February 2005 Kanaan appealed against his murder convictions and sentences.
On 17 November 2005 the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected Kanaan's appeal in relation to the Five Dock murders.
On 13 April 2006 the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected Kanaan's appeal in relation to the murder of Karam.
On 29 May 2006 Kanaan was finally convicted by a Supreme Court jury in relation to the White City shooting, although the charges had by now been downgraded from attempted murder
to that of malicious wounding with intent. On 31 May 2006, Supreme Court Justice Megan Latham sentenced Kanaan to 12 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 7 years, noting that "the threat to public safety and public order represented by these offences was of the highest order".
On 15 February 2007 a District Court
jury convicted Kanaan and Jamal in relation to the Greenacre shooting.
On 27 July 2007, District Court judge Stephen Norrish sentenced Kanaan to 10 years imprisonment in relation to the Greenacre shooting.
On 3 August 2007, Kanaan applied to the High Court of Australia
for special leave to appeal in relation to the Five Dock and Karam murders. The applications were dismissed.
In late 2002 Kanaan was caught setting up a "payroll system" for fellow inmates.
Kanaan will die in custody, having exhausted all available avenues of appeal.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n triple murderer from Sydney, New South Wales, currently serving three sentences of life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
plus 50 years and 4 months without the possibility of parole
Parole
Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole . Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their...
, for the murder of three people and other offences, all committed in Sydney between 17 July 1998 and 22 December 1998. In the drama series Underbelly: The Golden Mile
Underbelly: The Golden Mile
Underbelly: The Golden Mile is a 13-part Australian television mini-series loosely based on real events that stemmed from the nightclub scene of the Sydney suburb of Kings Cross. The timeline of the series is the years between 1988 and 1999. it primarily depicts the running of Kings Cross and the...
he was portrayed by actor Ryan Corr
Ryan Corr
- Life and career :Corr was born in Melbourne. He started his acting career at the age of thirteen with the Film Opraholic. His first television performance was on The Sleepover Club with a supporting role as Matthew McDougal...
.
Early years
A psychologist's report in 2001 indicated that Kanaan experienced a normal, stable upbringing, that he and his family had a deep devotion to the ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith and that he abstained from the consumption of alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
. He attended CBHS Lewisham in Sydney and achieved a good result in his Higher School Certificate. He entered a degree course at university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
with a view to entering the Australian Federal Police
Australian Federal Police
The Australian Federal Police is the federal police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. Although the AFP was created by the amalgamation in 1979 of three Commonwealth law enforcement agencies, it traces its history from Commonwealth law enforcement agencies dating back to the federation of...
force, but following a conviction for an assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
charge he instead entered the computer industry.
DK's Boys
In the late 1990s Danny Karam formed a gang using his own initials: "DK's Boys". The gang's chief activity was the sale of cocaine in the inner-Sydney suburb of Kings CrossKings Cross, New South Wales
Kings Cross is an inner-city locality of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately 2 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Sydney...
. Other members included Kanaan, Rabeeh Mawas, Wassim El-Assaad, Charlie Gea Gea, Saleh Jamal, and a man who would later be given the pseudonym "Alan Rossini".
The Five Dock murders: 17 July 1998
On the evidence of Rossini, he, along with Kanaan, Shadi Derbas, Bassam Kazzi and an unidentified man, drove to a cafe in Five DockFive Dock, New South Wales
Five Dock is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Five Dock is located 10 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the Local Government Area of the City of Canada Bay.-Location:...
in Sydney's inner-western suburbs. Shortly after leaving the cafe they stopped on Great North Road at traffic lights. Nearby was the Five Dock Hotel. On the footpath, two friends, Ronald Singleton and Michael Hurle were involved in an altercation, and they were joined by a third friend, Adam Wright. Rossini yelled to the trio "Come on, fellows, punch on". Singleton replied with a racist comment and a fight involving the three patrons, Rossini, Kazzi and Kanaan ensued. Kanaan produced a gun and fired at least four shots (witnesses reported varying numbers of shots) before the group drove off.
Singleton had been shot through the right arm, although he did not realise this until the group had driven off. He survived. Wright was shot in the lower abdomen. Hurle had been shot in the lower left chest, while a second bullet had passed through his clothing and missed his body. Wright and Hurle were hospitalised but died the following day.
The Greenacre shooting: 13 October 1998
Kanaan and Jamal shot Elias "Les" Elias at GreenacreGreenacre, New South Wales
Greenacre, a suburb of local government areas City of Bankstown and the Municipality of Strathfield, is located 17 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and is a part of the South-western Sydney region.-History:This area was once...
, in Sydney's south-west, following a dispute over a gun. Again, on the evidence of "Rossini", Kanaan was challenged when he intervened in a verbal altercation. "Who the fuck are you?" asked Elias. Kanaan produced his gun, said "Who the fuck am I?" and started shooting at Elias' feet. Jamal fired two shots at Elias, hitting him in the buttock. He later described the attack, saying "Fuck Les, I shot him in the arse. The cops are going to shit. Two kneecappings in the one day, in the same place."
Edward Lee murder: 17 October 1998
14 year-old Edward Lee was stabbed to death by Moustapha Dib on infamous Telopea Street in PunchbowlPunchbowl, New South Wales
Punchbowl, a suburb of local government areas City of Bankstown and the City of Canterbury is located 17 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and is a part of the South-western Sydney region.- History :Punchbowl is named for a...
in Sydney's south-west.
Kanaan, who had links to some of those present at the scene, was informed of the situation, and was involved, along with Moustapha's brother Mohamed, and Narwas Refai, in arranging for the Dib brothers to be transported to Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and alibis created by way of associates in Queensland booking a motel and ordering food under the Dibs' names.
Lakemba Police Station shooting: 1 November 1998
In the early hours of the morning, 17 shots were fired at the police station in LakembaLakemba, New South Wales
Lakemba is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Lakemba is located 15 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Canterbury....
, in Sydney's south-west. Kanaan and El-Assaad were found not guilty by a District Court
District Court of New South Wales
The District Court of New South Wales has jurisdiction to hear most indictable offences . It hears appeals from the Local Court and civil claims up to A$750 000. In some circumstances the amount may be higher, e.g. with the consent of the parties or in motor accident claims etc...
jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
on 16 May 2005. Jamal still faces charges in relation to the shooting.
Redfern shooting: 11 November 1998
Kanaan, El-Assaad and Jamal were charged in relation to a shooting incident on Eveleigh Street, RedfernRedfern, New South Wales
Redfern is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Redfern is 3 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney...
, in Sydney's inner-south. The charges against Jamal were dropped and the charges against Kanaan and El-Assaad also appear to have been dropped.
Danny Karam murder: 13 December 1998
According to Rossini, members of DK's Boys decided to kill Karam. At the time the group operated out of a unit in Riley Street, Surry HillsSurry Hills, New South Wales
Surry Hills is an inner-city suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Surry Hills is located immediately south-east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Sydney...
, in Sydney's inner-city. When Karam arrived at the unit, Kanaan, Mawas, El-Assaad and Gea Gea armed themselves and left the unit. El-Assaad re-entered the unit. Karam spent a few minutes talking to Rossini before leaving for his car, which was parked on the street outside. As he sat in his car, he was shot 16 times by Kanaan, Mawas and Danny Aloisi. (It is alleged, Gea Gea, shortly after the shooting fled to Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Australian authorities have been unsuccessful in securing his extradition).
White City Police shooting: 22 December 1998
According to Rossini, he, Kanaan, El-Assaad and Mark Cheikh drove around Sydney's inner-eastern suburbs. They were armed and on their way to shoot Kings Cross drug enforcer "Tongan Sam". Constables John Fotopoulos and Christopher Patrech followed them in their police vehicle to the end of Alma Street, PaddingtonPaddington, New South Wales
Paddington is an inner-city, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Paddington is located 3 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district and lies across the local government areas of the City of Sydney and the Municipality of Woollahra...
. Kanaan and the others left their vehicle and proceeded on foot to Weigall Sports Ground. Rossini and Cheikh escaped. El-Assaad was tackled by Fotopoulos. Patrech climbed the fence of a tennis court in pursuit of Kanaan and was shot in the right thigh by Kanaan. As he retreated he was shot in the right wrist. He fell from the fence, fracturing his right ankle and injuring his hip. Taking cover, he called to Fotopoulos, who went to his aid and engaged in a gunfight with Kanaan. He shot Kanaan in both legs, buttocks and right wrist. Whilst shooting at Fotopoulos, Kanaan accidentally shot himself in the foot.
Arrest, trials and sentencing
On 2 June 1999, Kanaan held a 32-hour siege before surrendering peacefully to police.On 17 September 1999, Kanaan was arrested in relation to the Five Dock murders and the murder of Karam.
On 29 November 1999 Magistrate
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
Pat O'Shane
Pat O'Shane
Patricia June O'Shane is a magistrate of the Local Court of New South Wales living in Sydney, Australia. A former head of the New South Wales Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and Aboriginal herself, O'Shane was appointed a magistrate in 1986...
discharged Kanaan from standing trial in relation to the White City shooting. Ms O'Shane called the two police officers "stupid, reckless and foolhardy" and said that "the circumstances in which constables Patrech and Fotopoulos became involved with...Kanaan and his cohorts...indicated police harassment of youth" and there was "not a shred of evidence which gives rise to any factual or reasonable cause on the part of these police to chase these young fellows on this particular night." The Director of Public Prosecutions was not impressed and ordered that Kanaan stand trial on the basis of an ex-officio indictment.
On 18 October 2000, the White City trial was aborted after two jurors indicated they may be associated with parties involved in the trial.
On 26 February 2001, Kanaan's Five Dock trial was aborted as a result of an article in The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
the previous day.
On 8 August 2001 a Supreme Court
Supreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
convicted Kanaan in relation to the Five Dock murders.
On 31 October 2001 Supreme Court Justice Greg James
Greg James (judge)
Justice Greg James born 15 September 1944, is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. He is believed to be the youngest Queen's Counsel ever appointed in New South Wales, he is recognised as one of Australia's leading Appellate court Counsel, and he was the first Australian War...
sentenced Kanaan to two terms of life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
plus 25 years imprisonment in relation to the malicious wounding of Singleton, with no non-parole period set. Notably, all three sentences were the maximum possible sentences for the relevant offences. Justice James noted that "I am firmly of the view that, having regard to the multiplicity of the offences, the two killings, in the context of the wounding of Mr Singleton, and also the total culpability of the offender for the three offences, the sentence of life imprisonment for each of the murders is the only appropriate sentence".
On 6 June 2002 a Supreme Court jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
convicted Kanaan, along with Mawas and El-Assaad in relation to the murder of Karam.
On 29 August 2002, |Supreme Court Justice James Wood
James Roland Wood
The Honourable James Roland Tomson Wood AO, QC is the chairman of Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, the chairman of the New South Wales Sentencing Council, the Inspector of the Police Integrity Commission and a former judge in Australia.-Early years:...
sentenced Kanaan to life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
in relation to the murder of Karam.
Mawas was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 19 years.
El-Assaad was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 years (on 13 April 2006 the Court of Criminal Appeal reduced the sentence to 22 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 16 years 6 months).
On 18 December 2002 Supreme Court Justice Robert Hulme sentenced Kanaan in relation to being an accessory after the fact
Accessory (legal term)
An accessory is a person who assists in the commission of a crime, but who does not actually participate in the commission of the crime as a joint principal...
to the malicious wounding of Edward Lee (having pleaded guilty). He was sentenced to 3 years 4 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 2 years, as was Mohamed Dib. Refai was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, fully suspended.
The second White City trial began on In July 2003 but after the jury were unable to reach a verdict it was discharged.
In November 2004 the 3rd White City trial commenced. It was also aborted.
In February 2005 Kanaan appealed against his murder convictions and sentences.
On 17 November 2005 the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected Kanaan's appeal in relation to the Five Dock murders.
On 13 April 2006 the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected Kanaan's appeal in relation to the murder of Karam.
On 29 May 2006 Kanaan was finally convicted by a Supreme Court jury in relation to the White City shooting, although the charges had by now been downgraded from attempted murder
Attempted murder
Attempted murder is a crime in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.-Today:In English criminal law, attempted murder is the crime of more than merely preparing to commit unlawful killing and at the same time having a specific intention to cause the death of human being under the Queen's Peace...
to that of malicious wounding with intent. On 31 May 2006, Supreme Court Justice Megan Latham sentenced Kanaan to 12 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 7 years, noting that "the threat to public safety and public order represented by these offences was of the highest order".
On 15 February 2007 a District Court
District Court of New South Wales
The District Court of New South Wales has jurisdiction to hear most indictable offences . It hears appeals from the Local Court and civil claims up to A$750 000. In some circumstances the amount may be higher, e.g. with the consent of the parties or in motor accident claims etc...
jury convicted Kanaan and Jamal in relation to the Greenacre shooting.
On 27 July 2007, District Court judge Stephen Norrish sentenced Kanaan to 10 years imprisonment in relation to the Greenacre shooting.
On 3 August 2007, Kanaan applied to the High Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and...
for special leave to appeal in relation to the Five Dock and Karam murders. The applications were dismissed.
Prison
Kanaan currently resides in the maximum security Goulburn Jail.In late 2002 Kanaan was caught setting up a "payroll system" for fellow inmates.
Kanaan will die in custody, having exhausted all available avenues of appeal.