Cop’s tears of relief at Rogerson guilty verdict

HE was the good cop almost killed by a hitman allegedly driven to the scene by Roger Rogerson in 1984. But now, Michael Drury says he could find it in his heart to forgive the disgraced detective.

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HE was the good cop almost killed by a hitman allegedly driven to the scene by disgraced detective Roger Rogerson. And when The Daily Telegraph broke the news of Rogerson’s guilty verdict today, retired undercover detective Michael Drury could only say one thing.

“Thank you, thank you,” Drury said, when informed of the verdict, his voice cracking.

“And God bless.’’

Drury was an undercover Drug Squad cop who refused to take a bribe, allegedly from Rogerson on behalf of a Melbourne drug dealer, to change his evidence in a trial.

When he wouldn’t, he was shot twice by gun for hire Christopher Dale Flannery, who was then allegedly driven from the scene by Roger Rogerson.

Detective Mike Drury was shot and badly wounded in his own home for refusing to take a bribe.

The detective was to be the star witness in the case against Alan Williams and generally reputed to be a straight arrow — in fact, he won the prestigious Peter Mitchell award the year after Rogerson for his work busting a massive drug operation in the Griffith area.

On June 6, 1984 Drury was at the kitchen window of his Chatswood home, having just fed his daughter when two .357 hollow point bullets came through the window and hit the then 28-year old in the upper body.

Miraculous he lived — despite doctors saying he would die — and made a deathbed declaration accusing Rogerson of trying to bribe him.

Drury has always alleged former detective Roger Rogerson (pictured) drove the gunman to his house. Picture: AAP

Christopher Flannery — aka “Mr Rent-A-Kill” is believed to be the shooter. He later vanished.

Laying in a hospital and thinking he only had moments to live, the young undercover cop told detectives he believed he was shot because of “the Melbourne job”, in reference to the case against Williams.

A dignified Drury has never spoken publicly about Rogerson but has privately confided to friends that he would forgive Rogerson if he owned up to what he did.

“I believe it would be good for him,’’ he has told me repeatedly over the years.

Rogerson was cleared of any part in the attempt on Drury’s life.

Drury confided to me that he spoke to Alan Williams after the drug dealer pleaded guilty to hiring Rogerson and Flannery to kill him.

Investigators said Williams was desperate to talk to him.

“I went went to police headquarters and took his phone call and while I can never forget what he did I said I could forgive him.,” he said.

Amazingly, Drury said that if Rogerson did the same thing he would forgive him as well.

Drug Squad detective Michael Drury was targeted in his own home because of his refusal to take a bribe and change his testimony.

Drury was the star witness in the case against drug dealer Alan David Williams (pictured) who was also a friend of gunman Christopher Flannery.

Rogerson was found not guilty for both charges of bribery and conspiracy to murder.

At the time, he told reporters outside the courthouse the verdict was an “absolute relief”.

For the past four months Drury has been hoping and praying the Gao jury would “come to the right decision”.

“I have always believed Rogerson was there when Flannery shot me,’’ he said.

Christopher Dale Flannery — aka “Mr Rent-A-Kill” was a mate of Williams’ and was fingered for Drury’s shooting.

Described as a “mad” figure heavily involved in a string of underworld hits, Flannery was earned his dubious nickname because he was willing to kill anyone for money.

In January 1985 Flannery and his wife were walking towards their home when the building was sprayed with more than 30 bullets from an Armalite assault rifle.

Rogerson was allegedly spotted in the area following the shooting. He told police he was just curious to see the sort of damage an automatic rifle could do and released without charge.

On May 9 the hitman left his city apartment for a meeting with his boss, crime figure George Freeman. Flannery was never seen again.

Roger Rogerson is escorted from King St court after being found guilty of the murder of student Jamie Gao. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian.

Today’s guilty verdict for the Jamie Gao murder also marked a special victory for seasoned Crown prosecutor Christopher Maxwell QC, who last faced Rogerson in 1989 for the Drury trial.

The well spoken and measured Queens Counsel has spent more than a week in the corridors of King St court, wondering if Rogerson would go down.

Shortly before 10.30am came the news he had got his man.

Mr Maxwell left court flanked by other solicitors from the DPP and said “we’ll just keep on going thank you. Thank you.”.