Suspect says he's no killer

THE prime suspect in the unsolved 1991 murder of Shepparton man Rocco Iaria says he is innocent of his friend's murder.

THE prime suspect in the unsolved 1991 murder of Shepparton man Rocco Iaria says he is innocent of his friend's murder.

Shepparton fruit merchant Vincent Lattore yesterday maintained he was not responsible for the brutal murder, even though police and a coroner suspect he did it.

Mr Lattore, 46, told the Herald Sun he hoped yesterday's doubling -- to $100,000 -- of the reward for information leading to the killer's conviction would get police off his back and find the killer.

"I'm innocent. I do hope someone comes forward. I've said all along that I'm innocent," Mr Lattore said.

"I loved Rocky Iaria. We were the best of mates. He was a mate of mine and I always cared about Rocky," he said.

Mr Iaria's body was found on top of a woman's coffin, in Pine Lodge Cemetery, when her grave was reopened for her husband's burial in 1998.

He had been shot several times and his body wrapped in plastic and covered in lime.

Cemetery workers made the grim discovery seven years after Mr

Iaria, then 20, went "to see a few people about a few things".

He is believed to have been killed on or around September 6, 1991, when he was on bail awaiting trial over a $1m cash and jewellery robbery in Bendigo. His co-accused was Mr Lattore.

In August last year, coroner Paresa Spanos found Mr Lattore had either killed or ordered Mr Iaria's death, most likely because it would give him a better chance of acquittal on the robbery charges.

Mr Lattore said he was the victim of a 16-year witch-hunt.

"At the moment it's all me, me, me. It's been like that for the past 16 years and I'm sick of it. I don't

know if they'll ever find out who was responsible, but if they do, hopefully they'll leave me alone, because I don't want to speak to them any more."

"I've just been keeping my head down and working hard -- that's all you can do."

On the 16th anniversary of his brother's death, Fiore Iaria appealed for someone to come forward with information, saying it would give some closure for his family.

"You think about it every day: what happened, how long ago it happened, what would have happened if it never happened.

"It's hard. It's hard on the whole family."

Sen-Sgt Barry McIntosh said he was sure someone could provide the information needed by police to find the killer.

"Somebody out there knows what happened to Mr Iaria and I would appeal for them to come forward," he said.

"Sixteen years is a very long time for a family to live without knowing why this happened to their son and brother."

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.