Prison slaying case stalled by witnesses

Everyone knows who did it, but nobody’s talking.

Colin David Johnson, 53, was due for release from Fulham Prison in eastern Victoria after serving nearly two years for burglary charges.

His family says he was a reformed man, saved from the ravages of a drug problem, and preparing for his upcoming parole date.

But then “it” happened.

He was confronted in the day room of the low-risk, low-security wing of the prison by another inmate with a weapon in hand.

Several other inmates witnessed the attack, which left Johnson with severe wounds to his body and head.

He died on May 16, 2011 after three weeks on life support in hospital.

Homicide detectives know who their suspect is – he’s still behind bars – and even have CCTV footage linked to the incident.

But police say it’s still not enough to lay charges without a witness statement.

Johnson’s sister, Linda, is now pleading with other inmates and their associates to finally come forward.

“Every night you go to bed, you pray to God that something comes out the next day to solve it,” she said through tears on Thursday.

“We just want to get this solved. We want someone with a heart. There has to be someone in there with a heart to help solve this crime.”

Inmates are notorious for sticking to a code of silence, but police say several witnesses to the killing have since completed their prison terms and are living in the community, prompting a new appeal for help from them or their friends.

“I don’t feel like anything like that should happen in prison,” says Linda. “You should still be protected.”

A security review was conducted at the prison, near Sale, but the results of that inquiry are not being made public.

The prison has also faced greater scrutiny after inmates rioted earlier this month over perceived poor conditions.

Detective Inspector John Potter, head of the state’s homicide squad, said he can’t comment on security at the facility.

But he did note that the slaying occurred in an area where inmates could freely mingle together and have access to a kitchen, which was stocked with supplies and utensils.

The motive, however, remains unknown.

“Somebody knows why this happened and we’re desperate to establish beyond doubt why it did happen,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Mr Johnson’s mother, Patricia, is hoping for answers too.

“I will always love him,” she said.

“He didn’t deserve to die like this. Nobody does.”

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