Bid to ban TV show

Serial killer launches fresh legal action

SERIAL killer Peter Dupas has launched legal action against Channel 7 in a bid to have its series, Killing Time, pulled off air.

The convicted murderer claims key scenes that relate to the Mersina Halvagis murder case would be a contempt of court if his taxpayer-funded second appeal against the conviction is successful and a retrial is ordered.

‘‘The broadcasting of relevant episodes . . . would constitute a contempt of court,’’ documents lodged with the Supreme Court claim.

‘‘It would be necessary for a Prohibition Order to ensure a fair trial for the accused in relation to this charge.’’

Killing Time is based on the life and crimes of Andrew Fraser, the disgraced lawyer sentenced to jail in 2001 for drug offences.

Channel 7 last night vowed to fight the killer’s application to push the show off air.

Halvagis was murdered at Fawkner cemetery in 1997 as she tended her grandmother’s grave.

Dupas was charged with murder in September 2006, and was convicted in 2007.

He successfully appealed that conviction, and was retried in 2010. He was again found guilty and was sentenced to life without parole.

He has appealed that con- viction and now wants the show banned until the completion of any retrial.

Dupas, 59, has been convicted of three murders and is a suspect of at least three others. He is serving at least three life sentences.

George Halvagis said yesterday he did not know about the show nor Dupas’s application, but he was disappointed his daughter’s killer continued to use the court system.

Long-time friend and Victims of Crime Support Association head, Noel McNamara, said Dupas’s latest court application was ‘‘a waste of taxpayers’ money’’.

Episode 1 of Killing Time screened on Channel 7 on Sunday night after premiering on Foxtel last year.

‘‘Seven will be opposing the application,’’ station spokesman Drew Warne-Smith said.

‘‘We do not consider that any prejudice could arise.’’