Honour amongst thieves !

One of the surest ways to solve an intractable crime is to offer a reward.
Money loosens tongues and such was the case in Victoria where prisoner Peter Dupas was finally convicted of a particularly nasty murder.
In this case his cell mate cooperated with the authorities and agreed to wear a wire when Dupas succumbed to ego and couldn't resist bragging about the murder he had committed, even giving a re-enactment of the blows struck.
Dupas should have known better. Prison is not a nice place inhabited by men of honour. In fact there is no honour amongst thieves - and even less amongst murderers. All prisoners aim for a speedy release and helping convict a fellow prisoner is a sure way to get the nod from the parole board.
The anomaly in this case is the size of the reward. A million dollars was on offer for the solution to this murder and the Victorian government was startled when the prisoner who wore the wire applied for his reward.
Andrew Fraser was rather well equipped to secure a confession as he was a high profile lawyer before being sent to serve four years and ten months for drug trafficking. Such were his skills that he was well placed to draw a result using the tactics that lawyers are so good at practising in the law courts.
The reaction of the Victorian government is predictable. First see how the media are treating the matter - and then test public opinion to see whether giving the reward will win or lose votes.
Rewards are always surrounded by a plethora of " ifs, buts and maybes " which leave bolt holes for any government to weasel out if that becomes politically desireable.
The outcome of this claim has yet to be decided, but acceptance or rejection is a two edged sword.
The use of prisoner information is vital to solving many cases and unless the authorities are seen to be honourable in following through with promised rewards that cooperation will dry up. Helping the authorities breaks the prisoners code of ethics - and could lead to a death sentence. Few would risk that if the government gains a reputation for reneging on rewards promised !