Shocking footage has been released showing a member of the notorious Alameddine crime family being violently stabbed inside one of Australia's most secure prisons.
The Violent Confrontation in the Exercise Yard
The CCTV video, which is now public, captures the incident that took place in the high-risk management unit of Goulburn Supermax prison on the morning of 23 January 2022. It shows inmate Talal Alameddine in an exercise yard with another prisoner, known only as 'DM'.
DM was serving a lengthy sentence for his role in the 2017 murder of a service station worker in Queanbeyan, near Canberra. The initial exchange between the two men occurred out of the camera's view. However, DM is later seen following Alameddine while armed with a homemade shiv.
Alameddine attempted to fight off the attack by punching, kicking, and pushing his assailant. Despite his efforts, DM managed to land several blows. The actual stabbing was not visible on camera, but Alameddine was subsequently seen touching his neck and examining the blood on his hand.
Aftermath and a Failed Prosecution
Talal Alameddine required hospital treatment for four puncture wounds to his neck and face. He is currently serving a 17-year sentence for supplying the firearm used in the targeted 2015 killing of police accountant Curtis Cheng.
When questioned about the attack in court, Alameddine claimed to have no memory of the event. He stated he was on heavy prescription medication for depression and PTSD at the time, which left him feeling 'zombied out'. He told the court he could not recall signing paperwork to share exercise time with DM or the stabbing itself.
DM was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. However, he was acquitted after his legal team successfully argued self-defence. They contended that because the start of the confrontation was not filmed, it was impossible to prove who initiated the violence.
Evidence and the Judge's Ruling
The case faced further complexity when a recorded jail phone call was released. In it, DM called Alameddine a 'f***ing dog' and boasted 'I took the Alameddine out'. Two homemade weapons were recovered after the stabbing, with prosecutors and the defence disputing ownership.
Ultimately, Judge Jeffreys found that the Crown had not proven its case against DM beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge ruled that the prosecution could not definitively prove DM started the attack, leading to the charge being dropped.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing violence between high-risk inmates within the confines of maximum-security facilities like Goulburn Supermax.
