Orman freed as Lawyer X fallout starts

FARUK Orman has walked free after 12 years behind bars and had his murder conviction quashed over a “substantial miscarriage of justice” caused by the turncoat “Lawyer X”.

Yesterday’s acquittal is now expected to pave the way for several other appeals by some of Victoria’s most notorious crooks.

Before an emotional Mr Orman could even leave the dock of Victoria’s Court of Appeal he was swamped by family, friends and supporters.

But the first hugs went to his teary lawyers.

He grinned and posed for pictures with them outside, arms around their shoulders, before being whisked away by family to enjoy his new-found freedom.

Mr Orman wiped away tears as Court of Appeal President Chris Maxwell announced he would be acquitted of the 2002 murder of underworld figure Victor Peirce.

In a statement issued after his release, Mr Orman acknowledged the Peirce family, hoping they were getting support and care.

“I am sorry for your loss … I understand that this process will have been just as traumatic for you as it was for me,” he said.

“Many people will think I have come out of prison bitter and angry. I haven’t.”

Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd QC said the full bench of judges had only two options — retrial or acquittal — after she conceded the actions of his former lawyer Nicola Gobbo had denied him a fair trial.

Mr Orman hired Ms Gobbo — now known as “Lawyer X” — after he was charged with Peirce’s murder in June 2007 but four days later she told police she could only “work in the background” for him because of a conflict of interest. She also represented the main prosecution witness against him.

In November 2007, Ms Gobbo told officers the witness was considering not giving evidence against Mr Orman and she urged them to “put him straight”.

“Gobbo improperly took active steps to ensure the principal Crown witness would in fact give evidence against (Mr Orman),” Ms Judd said.

She said there was enough other evidence against Mr Orman that could achieve a conviction if the judges were to order a retrial. But to do so would be unjust, she said. The judges agreed. Mr Orman had been sentenced to a maximum 20 years behind bars after a jury found him guilty of murder for his part driving the getaway car in the slaying of Mr Peirce at the hands of hitman Andrew “Benji” Veniamin.

A royal commission is now investigating the police use of Ms Gobbo as an informer and a series of public hearings are ongoing. Lawyers for Ms Gobbo declined to comment.