South Australia court clears parole for Snowtown killer James Vlassakis

An Australian court has upheld a decision to release James Vlassakis, one of three men convicted over the Snowtown murders, dismissing a state government attempt to keep him in prison.

Three judges of the South Australia Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the parole board's decision, clearing the way for the release of the youngest of the three convicted killers.

Vlassakis, now 46, was 18 when the crimes began in 1998. He pleaded guilty to four murders, including those of a half brother and a stepbrother, and became a key prosecution witness against his two co-offenders. He was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years, which expired in August of last year. He was granted parole in December, but the state government succeeded in overturning that decision.

The victims were killed over seven years, and most of their bodies were found in 1999 in barrels of acid in Snowtown, a small town north of Adelaide. The case became known as the "Bodies-in-Barrels" murders. The discovery of dismembered remains in a derelict bank branch, and a yearlong trial that ended in 2003, drew national attention and inspired books and the 2011 film "Snowtown."

Parole board chair Frances Nelson said Vlassakis had "always been remorseful and contrite," had not been diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder, and had shown excellent behaviour in prison. She noted he gave evidence at 19 against his co-offenders, a decision that carried considerable risk and led to years in solitary confinement. She said the circumstances of his offending were unlikely to be repeated and that he had good support in the community.

Nelson also addressed victims' families, saying the board does not determine the length of punishment but must assess release criteria, which she said Vlassakis met. She criticised suggestions that he posed a risk, saying such claims caused unnecessary alarm.

South Australia Attorney-General Kyam Maher, who had unsuccessfully challenged the parole decision, argued that the traumatic nature of the crimes justified keeping Vlassakis behind bars. He said the cases had left an indelible mark on the state and remained painful for victims' families and communities.

Maher said any release would be subject to conditions contemplated by the parole board, including electronic monitoring, restrictions on locations linked to victims, a ban on drugs and alcohol, and a prohibition on entering licensed premises.

Victims' Rights Commissioner Sarah Quick said the victims acknowledged the difficulty of the period and recognised that Vlassakis also faces a significant adjustment. Despite their distress, she said, they expressed gratitude for having a voice during the parole process and for being kept informed and supported over the twelve months the matter was under consideration.