Billy "The Texan" Longley

Billy Longley
Born 1926
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died 28 March 2014(2014-03-28)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Other names "The Texan"
Occupation Criminal
Conviction(s) Murder
Manslaughter

Billy "The Texan" Longley (1926 – 27 March 2014) was an underworld figure best known as a standover man on the Melbourne waterfront during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1971 he nominated for President of the Victorian branch of the Painters and Dockers Union but lost the election to Arthur Morris in controversial circumstances.[1][2][3]

In 1973, Longley was charged and convicted of the murder of Pat Shannon, then Secretary of the Painters and Dockers Union, and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1975.[4] He served 13 years in prison for this, maintaining his innocence. While in prison, he made a number of allegations regarding union corruption that led to the establishment of the Costigan Royal Commission.[1]

Longley died in the Royal Melbourne Hospital on the morning of 27 March 2014.[5]

Nickname

Longley was given the moniker "The Texan" from a television western about a man named Bill Longley with a similar liking for Colt .45 pistols.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sylvester, John (28 March 2014). "Melbourne underworld figure Billy 'The Texan' Longley dies". Fairfax. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Profile, news.com.au; accessed 28 March 2014.
  3. ↑ Profile of Billy 'The Texan' Longley, abc.net.au; accessed 28 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Billy The Texan Longley". Aussie Criminals and Crooks.
  5. ↑ "Melbourne underworld figure Billy 'The Texan' Longley dies". The Age.

External links


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