Carl Williams’ stepdaughter sues state over his brutal prison death The stepdaughter of slain gangland boss Carl Williams has launched legal action against the state government, alleging it failed to protect him after he became a police informant. Williams, 39, was bludgeoned to death with part of an exercise bike by fellow inmate Matthew Johnson in a high security unit of Barwon Prison in 2010 while he was serving multiple life sentences for murder. A Supreme Court judge later found Johnson killed his cellmate because he knew the underworld figure was providing information to police about the 2004 murders of police informer Terence Hodson and his wife Christine. Williams’ stepdaughter, Breanane Stephens, 30, is now suing the Victorian government alleging Corrections Victoria knew Johnson “harboured a special hatred” towards informants and had a reputation for violence but approved his request to be transferred to Williams’ unit. The incident was captured on CCTV but it took guards half an hour to realise Williams had been attacked. Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Kristen Wright, who is representing Ms Stephens, said she alleged Corrections Victoria had failed to “ensure the proper management, security, and good order of the prison”. “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 and psychological injury, loss and damage,” she said. Read more in the media. Contact us Arnold Thomas & Becker is a group of fiercely dedicated legal experts who fight for the rights of injured people across Victoria. We offer a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim from down to earth, friendly and approachable lawyers. Call us today on 1300 333 300.