Harriet Wran prison letters: Co-accused’s anger rose as silence lengthened

AFTER arriving in prison accused of murder, Michael Lee sent numerous letters addressed to “My Darling Harriet”, his co-accused, begging her to write back.

Wran at Liverpool Court

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AFTER arriving in prison accused of murder, Michael Lee sent numerous letters addressed to “My Darling Harriet”, his co-accused, begging her to write back.

But when Harriet Wran didn’t answer, Lee’s tone turned dark.

He told her the message she was sending was clear: “We are not on the same side.”

Lee wrote four letters to the former premier’s daughter ­between August 25 and September 15, 2014, after they were charged with murdering drug dealer Daniel McNulty. The letters show Lee’s increasing frustration at not receiving a reply.

The McKell building in Redfern, where Daniel McNulty was allegedly stabbed by Harriet Wran and her boyfriend. Picture: Adam Taylor

It is not known if Wran ignored the letters — which range from three to six pages long and reveal that he had sent several others prior to August 25 — or didn’t ­receive them.

But as his correspondence continued, Lee’s mounting desperation could be seen with each additional letter as he realised that what he thought was a love affair may be over. Or worse, that it was merely an unrequited infatuation.

In an early letter dated August 26, Lee was cheerful and opened with: “How’s it going in their (sic) beautiful.” He signed off with: “Love Always Michael XOXOXO” and refers to her as “Bub”.

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But on September 15 Lee wrote an expletive-laden letter expressing anger at Wran for not writing back and signed off simply: “From Michael.”

In that last letter, Lee said: “I just wanted to say to you Haz that it’s truly a shame that this is the path your (sic) taking and it has really hurt me and now I’m just burning inside.

“I truely (sic) thought that you were a nice true person and better than that but I guess even I still judge people wrong.”

It was a stark change from the earlier letters. In the one dated August 26, he wrote: “I really hope that you’ve received all of my letters that I’ve sent you?”

Lee’s outpouring of emotion could make for an awkward reunion when the pair go to court on June 20 in a trial that’s estimated to last six weeks.

Lee wrote: “If only you knew what I was willing to do for you Haz. I was going to do everything I could to protect you. Let’s also not forget how much I actually cared for you and thought you did as well! … I asked you for one simple letter but you couldn’t even do that!” He ended the letter with: “Since I met you I only wanted the best for you and I still do now.”

It was a stark change from the earlier letters. In the one dated August 26, he wrote: “I really hope that you’ve received all of my letters that I’ve sent you?”

He begged her to tell him if she didn’t want him to write to her: “In my mind there would be no reason for you not to write back (to) me after all that we’ve been through together.

“If your mum or lawyers are telling you not to contact me please don’t listen to them and go with your heart cause (sic) they don’t know shit.

“But if you do get out soon HAZ don’t forget about me in here and stay in contact, alright! Cause (I) would hate for things to end like this.

“I’m sure that your family will think otherwise but I’m really hoping that you meant the things you said to me.”

“I’m sure that you remember all the things that you told me before we got grabbed ... and what happens from here will show me if you truely (sic) meant those things.”

He then explained: “I don’t want to put any pressure on you but I need to know where I stand with you, that’s all girl.”

In an undated letter, Lee wrote “please don’t make me look like a stalker” before adding: “I really hope that my letters have been putting a smile on that lovely face.

“We were starting to get really close before this and I would really hate for that to change even after everything.

“I’m sure that your family will think otherwise but I’m really hoping that you meant the things you said to me.”

In the letter of August 25, his tone is hopeful but desperate. He wrote: “I really hope that I hear back from you soon Haz so I know that your (sic) doing alright and also that you still care about me!”

Later in the letter he said: “I truely (sic) do think about you so much and what we could have done and become. Straight up Bub, I’m sure we would have killed it and kicked ass.”

He ended the letter by writing: “So take care beautiful and I really hope to hear from you soon!”