"Frypan Fiasco: Australian Serial Killer's Unusual Request Denied by Prison Authorities"

An Australian serial killer, incarcerated for nearly 25 years, has been denied his request for a frypan in his prison cell, marking another chapter in his contentious legal battles while serving his sentence.

A notorious Australian serial killer, having spent nearly twenty-five years incarcerated, has recently encountered a setback in his attempts to secure a frypan for use within his prison cell. Gregory Brazel, who is currently serving three consecutive life sentences for the murders of three women over an eight-year span, took legal action against the State of Victoria, asserting that he had been pressured into accepting an earlier settlement in the previous year.

At 70 years old, Brazel’s health has reportedly declined. He was convicted of murdering two sex workers while out on parole for armed robbery charges in May and September of 1990. Years later, he admitted to killing a shopkeeper in a paid hit that occurred in September 1982, a crime that remained unresolved until he divulged the details to law enforcement.

In an effort to overturn a prior court decision regarding a settlement with the State of Victoria, Brazel filed an appeal with the Victorian Court of Appeal last year. His original lawsuit, initiated over a decade earlier, claimed he deserved compensation due to personal injuries sustained when a “chemical agent” was deployed to subdue him at the Metropolitan Remand Centre in May 2013.

The proceedings unfolded at a remarkably slow pace as Brazel accused Corrections Victoria staff of deliberately obstructing his legal correspondence and manipulating his mail. Ultimately, after a mediation session in 2023, he reached a settlement wherein the State of Victoria would cover certain legal expenses and pay him $22,100 earmarked for future medical costs.

The terms of this settlement included assurances that the state would facilitate his continued access to a blender, a Birko jug, and a sandwich press, all of which were claimed to be necessary due to his dietary needs. According to court filings, his meals consisted of fourteen packets of sardines for lunch along with a dinner comprising two potatoes, two tomatoes, one onion, and two bananas.

However, shortly after the settlement, Brazel returned to legal proceedings, now arguing that the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office had previously assured him he would be permitted to have a frypan and the other cooking devices in his cell. He alleged that Barwon Prison’s general manager, Colin Thompson, conveyed on February 14 of the previous year that he would not be allowed access to a frypan, prompting him to write a letter seeking to nullify the settlement.

In a ruling delivered by County Court Judge Timothy Ginnane, Brazel’s request was denied. The convicted serial killer, known for initiating multiple lawsuits against the state during his imprisonment, subsequently challenged the judgment in the Court of Appeal. He contended that he had been “bullied and coerced” by Judge Ginnane during the proceedings and that prison officials had unlawfully restricted his ability to obtain proper legal counsel.

Judge Ginnane firmly rejected the allegations of bullying, stating that the evidence presented at the trial did not support Brazel’s assertion that he had been misled regarding the terms of the settlement. Brazel maintained that had he been adequately informed, he would have never agreed to the settlement, claiming deception on the part of the State.

On December 20, Justice Stephen Kaye issued a ruling dismissing his appeal, stating that the claims did not present a substantial likelihood of success. Justice Kaye remarked on the apparent capability of Brazel to advocate for his interests during the negotiations, emphasizing that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that any actions taken by the state prevented him from seeking legal counsel when necessary.

Brazel has a history of misconduct while incarcerated, with incidents including taking a prison guard hostage, engaging in bribery, and committing arson. As of the end of March this year, he will become eligible for parole, adding another layer of complexity to a case that continues to capture public interest.