A man convicted of murdering his friend in 2008 will spend at least two decades behind bars for the money-motivated Melbourne crime described as cold-blooded.
Christopher John Lavery, 31, set up a meeting with 24-year-old cannabis dealer James Russouw.
He knew Mr Russouw would be carrying about $13,000 in cash to buy drugs after the market had gone through a dry spell.
After murdering his friend and robbing him – to pay off a gambling debt – Lavery set Mr Russouw’s body and Jeep on fire beside a suburban sports oval at Burwood East.
He lied about the murder, attending Mr Russouw’s funeral, and protesting his innocence even after being found guilty by a jury.
He has long stood by an alibi that he was at a cinema watching …
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