Outback killer Murdoch listed as 'low risk' in Darwin prison
Outback killer Bradley John Murdoch is one of several notorious inmates now classified as "low security" at a Darwin prison.
Murdoch, 58, is serving a life sentence for the death of British backpacker Peter Falconio, who disappeared while travelling with his girlfriend Joanne Lees in 2001.
News Corp reports Murdoch is one of a long list of the Northern Territory’s most notorious killers that are now classified as low risk.
Others include Ben William McLean and Phu Ngoc Trinh, who were 18 when they callously killed two sex workers by tying them up and throwing them in crocodile-infested waters, and Shane Patrick Thomas, who killed and dismembered Marshall Haritos.
The "low risk" classification means the men enjoy a range of benefits including minimal supervision, more time out of their cells and extra visits.
They also have better access to sports and recreational facilities and, unlike medium or high security inmates, they are allowed to keep razors, News Corps reports.
Murdoch is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars under new “no body, no parole” laws, unless he reveals the location of Peter Falconio’s remains.
Mr Falconio and Ms Lees were travelling between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory when they were flagged down by Murdoch, who said he’d noticed problems with their engine.
Mr Falconio was shot when he went to investigate, and Ms Lees she was then dragged from the vehicle, hit over the head and bound.
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She managed to escape, hide in bushland and flag down a passing truck driver about five hours later.
Last year, former police officer John Daulby, who led the 2001 investigation into the case, said one way to encourage Murdoch to talk would be to remove his privileges by putting him in maximum security, the NT News reported.
News break - January 14
