The sister of one of the Snowtown murder victims has called the decision to grant parole to convicted killer James Vlassakis “an insult.”
Karen Davies, whose brother Ray was among the 11 victims, said: “Where’s (my brother’s) freedom… he’s never going to have that ever again.”
Vlassakis, the youngest of the Snowtown killers, was sentenced to life with a 26-year non-parole period in exchange for helping convict his stepfather John Bunting and associate Robert Wagner.
Now 45, he has served more than two decades in prison. The South Australian parole board described him as “well-behaved” and not a risk to the community.
Davies condemned the release, saying: “(Vlassakis) is going to have the freedom to see his family, to see his loved ones, to make friends… it’s still the fact he took four lives.”
Attorney-General Kyam Maher, Victims’ Rights Commissioner, and Police Commissioner Grant Stevens have 60 days to review the parole decision.
If no review overturns the decision, Vlassakis will be moved to a pre-release centre, allowed to work, and will be monitored for life once free.
Source: 9news
