‘Evilly premeditated’: Snowtown killer parole decision made
The parole review commissioner has handed down his findings over a challenge to parole a notorious SA murderer, describing the crimes as “disgustingly unusual”.
Parole Administrative Review Commissioner Michael David KC has blocked the release of one of the state’s most notorious prisoners.
James Spyridon Vlassakis was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2002 for four charges of murder, with a non-parole period of 26 years over the Snowtown serial killings.
On August 19, the state’s parole board approved his release, subject to a 60-day review and set conditions for release.
It would have meant South Australia would have been the only jurisdiction in the world to parole a serial killer, and the finding was challenged by the state’s Attorney-General Kyam Maher.
Now, after a three-hour hearing a few weeks ago, Parole Board Review Commissioner Michael David KC shared his findings this morning, saying he has determined to block his release.
“These offences were very evilly premeditated by everyone, they were violent, gross, and committed over a substantial period of time.
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“There were certain aspects of these crimes that could be described as disgustingly unusual. I find that the Parole Board have underestimated the effect of the gravity of the criminal behaviour of Mr Vlassakis.
“I find that because of the gravity of the offending as described above, with the fact that this is the first occasion on which parole is available, to release Mr Vlassakis at this relatively early stage would be a risk to the community.”
The Snowtown serial killings – known as the ‘Bodies in the Barrels’ case – are one of Australia’s most notorious and horrific crimes.
In May 1999, police made the chilling discovery of human remains hidden in barrels in an old bank vault in the South Australian regional town.
Now aged in his mid-40s, Vlassakis was 18 when, in 1998, he took part in the murder of his half-brother Troy Youde — a crime he committed at the behest of his stepfather and Snowtown ringleader John Bunting.
Vlassakis later took part in the murders of Fred Brooks, Gary O’Dwyer and David Johnson.
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The remains of all four of those victims were found at Snowtown.
“On the one hand, there is much to be said for the behaviour of Mr Vlassakis, whilst in custody since these crimes were committed,” he said.
“He has to be commended for his cooperation and his pleas of guilty. However, I do remind myself that he has been given a substantial benefit by the sentencing judge in relation to that behaviour.
“The task of the Parole Board and myself, on reviewing their decision, is not to concern ourselves with the sentence of 26 years but be concerned with what should happen post that period.
“I am mindful of the legislative mandate, that is, the protection of the public that is of paramount concern. I am concerned, in this matter, by the enormity of the crime.”
He went on to say that “these were no normal crimes and without going into details, I adopt the recitation of the judge in his sentencing remarks as to what happened”.
“There are certain aspects of the offending that concern me when considering parole at this early stage, being the first occasion after the completion of the non-parole period.
“It was argued, as a mitigating factor, that the question of the influence over him by Mr Bunting was important.
“However, this could not in any way, excuse crimes of this magnitude, nor has anyone sought to argue that and, of course, there is his relative youth and admissions of guilt and assistance.”
