[MSN] Accused on trial over 'Cezanne' art heist. A GOLD Coast man accused of what may or may not be Australia's biggest art heist went on trial yesterday for the second time this year.

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Accused on trial over 'Cezanne' art heist


December 03, 2007 11:00pm

A GOLD Coast man accused of what may or may not be Australia's biggest art
heist went on trial yesterday for the second time this year.

Brett Michael Williams allegedly stole paintings, including a reputed $150
million masterpiece by 19th century French impressionist Paul Cezanne, from
colourful northern NSW art restorer John Opit in February 2004.

The case, which made international headlines, first went to trial in March
this year.

But it was dramatically aborted after Opit gave what was judged to be
prejudicial evidence about Williams.

Williams, 46, has pleaded not guilty to breaking and entering into Opit's
remote Limpinwood art studio and stealing paintings, including the so-called
Cezanne entitled Boy in a High Chair, and other items.

Opening the fresh Crown case in Lismore District Court yesterday, prosecutor
John Baxter-Wright said Opit maintained to this day that Boy in a High Chair
was a genuine, original and incredibly valuable Cezanne worth as much as
$150 million.

But he told jurors it was not their role to determine whether the painting
was real or simply a cheap imitation; they had to decide whether Williams
was the thief.

Mr Baxter-Wright said Opit had returned home after five days away to find
his studio ransacked and a large number of paintings and personal effects
missing.

Four months later, police acting on a tip-off, found the paintings at a
Robina duplex. Some of Opit's other possessions were seized in a raid on
Williams' home.

Williams told police he bought the items at a tip shop, a car boot sale and
at the pub - an unlikely explanation, Mr Baxter-Wright told the jury.

He said Williams was a friend of an art collector named Bill Hamilton, who
was helping Opit restore paintings and shared his excitement about the
Cezanne.

Mr Baxter-Wright said Hamilton's involvement was something of a mystery but
his business card was found at Williams' home and the pair had almost daily
phone contact in the month leading up to the theft.

Williams had also confessed to an associate who lived at the Robina address,
where a jacket with DNA matching Williams' was also found.

The trial continues.

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