South Australia's Court of Appeal has revoked a suppression order on the image and description of James Vlassakis, one of the perpetrators of the Snowtown 'bodies-in-the-barrels' serial killings. The order had been in place for 25 years to protect his identity after he gave evidence against co-killers John Bunting and Robert Wagner.
Vlassakis, now in his mid-40s, pleaded guilty to four murders and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 26 years. He was granted parole last year, but Attorney-General Kyam Maher requested a review, leading to the Parole Board seeking a judicial review after Parole Administrative Review Commissioner Michael David KC blocked his release.
In court, counsel for Vlassakis and the Parole Board argued that Commissioner David's decision to block parole effectively re-sentenced Vlassakis without considering his 26 years in custody. The solicitor-general countered that David's decision was based on the Parole Board not properly accounting for the gravity of the crimes.
South Australia's Commissioner for Victims' Rights, Sarah Quick, welcomed the lifting of the suppression order, stating it would remove uncertainty for victims' loved ones and enhance their safety. The Snowtown murders, involving 12 deaths, occurred between 1992 and 1999.
