Underbelly: The secret backroom deals that cracked Melbourne's gangland war

By John Silvester
Updated May 7 2016 - 1:23am, first published 12:15am
Supreme Court Justice Paul Coghlan with grandson Joseph. Photo: Joe Armao
Supreme Court Justice Paul Coghlan with grandson Joseph. Photo: Joe Armao
Bench press: Justice Paul Coghlan.
Bench press: Justice Paul Coghlan.
Underbelly's biggest belly: Carl Williams is arrested on Beaconsfield Parade, Port Melbourne.  Photo: Angela Wylie
Underbelly's biggest belly: Carl Williams is arrested on Beaconsfield Parade, Port Melbourne. Photo: Angela Wylie
Sweetening the deal: "The Runner", "probably the most important informer in Victoria's history", insisted on a piece of vanilla slice as part of his deal with prosecutors.  Photo: Anna Warr
Sweetening the deal: "The Runner", "probably the most important informer in Victoria's history", insisted on a piece of vanilla slice as part of his deal with prosecutors. Photo: Anna Warr
The scene of Mersina Halvagis' brutal murder, at her grandmother's grave in Fawkner Cemetery. Photo: John Donegan
The scene of Mersina Halvagis' brutal murder, at her grandmother's grave in Fawkner Cemetery. Photo: John Donegan
Carl Williams in the Melbourne County Court in May, 2007, when he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 35 years over the murders of gangland patriarch Lewis Moran, his son Jason Moran and another underworld figure, Mark Mallia.  Photo: Jason South
Carl Williams in the Melbourne County Court in May, 2007, when he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 35 years over the murders of gangland patriarch Lewis Moran, his son Jason Moran and another underworld figure, Mark Mallia. Photo: Jason South

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