Snowtown killer could be free next month
The South Australian Parole Board is scheduled to consider a parole application from James Vlassakis, who pleaded guilty on August 5 to four murders for his part in the gruesome 'bodies in the barrels' killing rampage across Adelaide in the 1990s.
Vlassakis, John Justin Bunting and Robert Joe Wagner slaughtered 11 people between 1992 and 1999.
Police found some of the victims decomposing in barrels hidden in the vault of a disused bank in the town of Snowtown, north of Adelaide.
Vlassakis testified against Bunting and Wagner, helping the prosecution to secure convictions against the killers.
Two of Vlassakis's victims included his half-brother Troy Youde and stepbrother David Johnson.
In 2002, Vlassakis was punished with a life sentence and a non-parole period of 26 years, backdated to his arrest.
In May this year, he lodged an application for parole.
Parole Board chair Frances Nelson, speaking with the Adelaide Advertiser, confirmed the board would likely decide on his application at its August 5 meeting.
She said the board had also asked the Department for Correctional Services to provide a 'through-care' plan, which considers how a prisoner might be resocialised in the community following release from jail.
Snowtown accomplice Mark Ray Haydon, who helped cover up seven of the killings, was released on parole in May this year after 25 years in prison.
Under the terms of his release, Haydon must be of good behaviour and not commit any offences.
He is supervised by a Community Corrections officer and now resides at an approved address.
Haydon is barred from knowingly contacting or associating with, either directly or indirectly, the victims of his offending, including any members of their immediate family, and is banned from leaving or attempting to leave South Australia.
The Snowtown killings gained national and international attention due to the heinous nature of the murders, which involved torture.
The 2011 film Snowtown, directed by Justin Kurzel, attempted to capture the viciousness of the crimes.
Actor Lucas Pittaway played the role of Vlassakis, with the film anchored in his perspective.
Daniel Henshall played the part of Bunting and won Best Actor at the 2012 AACTA Awards for his portrayal of the manipulative predator.
The movie proved to be controversial, with some critics praising its realistic depiction of the killings, while others deplored the violence.
A suppression order is in place for Vlassakis's image.
The Parole Board has been contacted for comment.
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