The name Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read is a by-word for crime and violence in Australian society. The foul deeds he confessed to appalled and fascinated us but how much of it was true?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The name Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read is a by-word for crime and violence in Australian society. The foul deeds he confessed to appalled and fascinated us but how much of it was true? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Real Chopper: Part 1

Melbourne, Victoria: In August 2002, when a male prostitute is accused of raping and mutilating a client, few doubt his guilt.  It's a shocking attack, the victim's tongue is almost torn from her mouth.  To complete the lurid picture, she says her attacker boasted that he was a 200 year old vampire. 

Yet Shane Chartres-Abbott says he was framed and sets out to prove he is the fall guy for a high-level sex ring operating in the city.  He fears he will be silenced before he can tell his story but no-one listens.  He doesn't know there are others who want him dead.  The victim is hiding a complex and volatile past relationship from police.

On June 4 2003, Shane is murdered on the way to give evidence in court.  
Three years later, a career criminal in jail confesses to the crime and makes a series of sensational allegations.  He says serving and past police were involved, providing him with the victim's address and an alibi for the shooting.  The case ceases to be a murder investigation and turns into a purge of links between Victoria Police and the underworld.  It will become the most expensive investigation in the state's history and the blood of the vampire gigolo will wash through the halls of power for years to come.  In the end, nothing is proven.  Today there is a lingering sense of justice denied, that a killer and their accomplices remain free.

For additional information, case evidence, unheard audio & more: www.thetrialsofthevampire.com

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Melbourne, Victoria: In August 2002, when a male prostitute is accused of raping and mutilating a client, few doubt his guilt. It's a shocking attack, the victim's tongue is almost torn from her mouth. To complete the lurid picture, she says her attacker boasted that he was a 200 year old vampire. Yet Shane Chartres-Abbott says he was framed and sets out to prove he is the fall guy for a high-level sex ring operating in the city. He fears he will be silenced before he can tell his story but no-one listens. He doesn't know there are others who want him dead. The victim is hiding a complex and volatile past relationship from police. On June 4 2003, Shane is murdered on the way to give evidence in court. Three years later, a career criminal in jail confesses to the crime and makes a series of sensational allegations. He says serving and past police were involved, providing him with the victim's address and an alibi for the shooting. The case ceases to be a murder investigation and turns into a purge of links between Victoria Police and the underworld. It will become the most expensive investigation in the state's history and the blood of the vampire gigolo will wash through the halls of power for years to come. In the end, nothing is proven. Today there is a lingering sense of justice denied, that a killer and their accomplices remain free. For additional information, case evidence, unheard audio & more: www.thetrialsofthevampire.com 123496

Melbourne, Victoria: In August 2002, when a male prostitute is accused of raping and mutilating a client, few doubt his guilt.  It's a shocking attack, the victim's tongue is almost torn from her mouth.  To complete the lurid picture, she says her attacker boasted that he was a 200 year old vampire. 

Yet Shane Chartres-Abbott says he was framed and sets out to prove he is the fall guy for a high-level sex ring operating in the city.  He fears he will be silenced before he can tell his story but no-one listens.  He doesn't know there are others who want him dead.  The victim is hiding a complex and volatile past relationship from police.

On June 4 2003, Shane is murdered on the way to give evidence in court.  
Three years later, a career criminal in jail confesses to the crime and makes a series of sensational allegations.  He says serving and past police were involved, providing him with the victim's address and an alibi for the shooting.  The case ceases to be a murder investigation and turns into a purge of links between Victoria Police and the underworld.  It will become the most expensive investigation in the state's history and the blood of the vampire gigolo will wash through the halls of power for years to come.  In the end, nothing is proven.  Today there is a lingering sense of justice denied, that a killer and their accomplices remain free.

For additional information, case evidence, unheard audio &amp; more: www.thetrialsofthevampire.com

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The Real Chopper: Part 1

The Real Chopper: Part 1