James Vlassakis, the youngest of four perpetrators in the notorious Snowtown 'bodies-in-the-barrels' murders, can now be identified after a 25-year suppression order was lifted by South Australia's highest court on Tuesday. His image had been banned from publication to protect his identity after he cooperated with police and gave evidence against his co-offenders.
Vlassakis was 18 when he participated in the murder of his half-brother Troy Youde in mid-1998, at the behest of stepfather and ringleader John Bunting. He was also involved in the murders of Fred Brooks and Gary O'Dwyer later that year, and David Johnson in May 1999. The remains of these victims were found in barrels in a bank vault in Snowtown.
Sentenced to life in prison in 2002 with a 26-year non-parole period, Vlassakis's sentence was backdated to his arrest in June 1999. Justice Kevin Duggan noted at sentencing that Vlassakis was not the instigator and had been influenced by Bunting, whom he described as a 'hero' and father figure. His cooperation led to a reduced non-parole period.
Last year, the Parole Board granted Vlassakis release on parole, citing genuine remorse and low risk to the community. However, he remains in custody as South Australia's Attorney-General Kyam Maher requested a review of the decision, arguing the board had erred.
