Convicted Snowtown killer James Spyridon Vlassakis can lawfully seek parole again in 160 days, with a new application possible from August 5, as a legal battle between South Australian government agencies over his release intensifies.
The state government and the Parole Board have asked the Supreme Court to fast-track their dispute to the Court of Appeal, arguing the matter must be resolved before Vlassakis becomes eligible to reapply.
The hearing proceeded without Vlassakis or legal representation, and the court was told he “may not even be aware the hearing was occurring.”
Vlassakis, 45, pleaded guilty to four murders in the 1990s “Bodies in the Barrels” killings and gave evidence against his co-offenders. He received a 26-year non-parole period and a permanent identity suppression order.
In August 2025, the Parole Board approved his release, a decision believed to have made South Australia the only jurisdiction worldwide to grant parole to a convicted serial killer.
The state challenged the ruling and, after a closed hearing, Parole Administrative Review Commissioner Michael David KC overturned it, saying the Board had “underestimated the gravity” of the crimes.
He described them as “evilly premeditated, violent, gross” and “disgustingly unusual,” finding Vlassakis would pose a community risk if released.
The Board has appealed, alleging it was denied “procedural fairness” after being told it was “not to attend” and “was not to participate in the review proceedings.”
It argues Mr David “substituted his view” of the crimes and “provided no reason, cogent or otherwise” as to why Vlassakis remained a threat.
Justice Katrina Bochner has referred the case to the Court of Appeal, with the matter adjourned until March to set a hearing date.
Source: The Advertiser.
