CLEARING CLEAR THE CLUTTER, WHEN IN DOUBT THROW IT OUT!

July 15, 2004

ACCUSED Melbourne underworld killer Mick Gatto is living in outrageous conditions in jail, his new lawyer said yesterday.

Bernie Balmer claims his client, who is charged with the murder of Andrew "Benji" Veniamin, has been dished out unfair treatment.

Mr Gatto's former solicitor, George Defteros, stood down from his legal practice after being charged over an alleged plot to murder rival gangland identity Carl Williams last month.

Yesterday Mr Gatto, 48, clad in bottle-green prison garb and wearing glasses, faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court via a video link to Port Phillip Prison.

Mr Balmer said he wanted it on record that his client had not been allowed family contact for his first four months in jail and was not allowed contact visits with children over the age of 13. Mr Gatto is in protective custody and is locked up for 23 hours a day.

During proceeding he made a request to his lawyer not to "raise the issue of the corridor" but outside Mr Balmer would not elaborate. He described Mr Gatto's living conditions as undemocratic, likening his daily confinement to being locked in a toilet. "It's outrageous," Mr Balmer said. "There are no other remand prisoners who can't get out of their cells."

Mr Gatto's wife, Cheryle, has written letters of protest to the State Ombudsman and Corrections Minister Andre Haermeyer about her husband's conditions.

Despite complaints about visitation rights, freedom from his cell, and, according to prison sources, even the quality of inmates' coffee, Mr Balmer said his client was holding up well in jail.

"His state of mind is strong. He's a strong man," Mr Balmer said.

Mr Gatto will face a preliminary hearing in December over the Veniamin killing. The suspected hitman was shot dead at Carlton's La Porcella restaurant in March after going there to meet Mr Gatto.

It is believed he will claim he shot Veniamin in self-defence.

Mr Gatto was remanded in custody until December.

HMMMMMM....HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ON THIS ONE. i DON'T GIVE TWO HOOTS ABOUT THE COFFEE HOWEVER, I DO THINK HE SHOULD BE LET OUT MORE THAN 1 HOUR A DAY. HE'S NOT BEEN CONVICTED YET.