The parole review of Snowtown murderer James Spyridon Vlassakis will be conducted in private, after a watchdog ruled that South Australian law requires confidentiality in such cases.
At a preliminary hearing on Friday, former judge and review commissioner Michael David KC confirmed that the upcoming 5 December parole review – which could see Vlassakis become the world’s first paroled serial killer – must be closed to the public and media.
“Under the law, proceedings for this review must be heard in private… the press cannot come, I’m terribly sorry, in my view, private means private,” he said.
Vlassakis, 45, appeared via video link for the first time since his 2000s trial but cannot be described or photographed due to longstanding suppression orders. He spoke only briefly to confirm the video connection and to thank Mr David.
Vlassakis pleaded guilty to four of the eleven Snowtown murders, including those of his half-brother Troy Youde and stepbrother David Johnson, the only person killed inside the Snowtown bank vault.
His cooperation helped convict John Justin Bunting and Robert Joe Wagner, who are both serving life sentences without parole.
If released, Vlassakis will – it is believed – become the first serial killer globally to receive parole. His co-offender Mark Haydon, who helped cover up the crimes, was released in 2024 under strict supervision.
Defence counsel Lindy Powell KC told the hearing that the defence was still awaiting key Parole Board materials, while the commissioner confirmed he would publish his final decision after the December hearing, subject to confidentiality requirements.
Source: The Advertiser
