Karen Davies, the sister of Ray, one of the victims of the infamous Snowtown murders, has expressed her outrage over the decision to grant parole to one of the convicted killers, James Vlassakis. This decision has been perceived as a profound insult by Davies, who articulated her grief by questioning the fairness of Vlassakis living freely while her brother will never experience freedom again.
Davies highlighted the significant disparity in circumstances, stating that while Vlassakis will enjoy familial connections and the chance to build friendships, Ray will remain perpetually lost to the horrors inflicted by his murderers. Although Vlassakis was deemed a model prisoner during his incarceration, Davies points out that this does not absolve him of the reality that he was responsible for four deaths.
Vlassakis, who was the youngest participant in the killings, was given a 26-year sentence with a non-parole period, considerably reduced due to his cooperation in bringing his stepfather, John Bunting, and Robert Wagner to justice. The parole board has described Vlassakis, now 45, as well-behaved and not a threat to the public, which raises significant concerns for the families of the victims.
In light of Vlassakis’s release, the Attorney-General, victims’ rights commissioner, and police commissioner have been allotted a 60-day window to contest the parole board’s decision. Attorney-General Kyam Maher stated his intention to thoroughly review the reasons and conditions surrounding Vlassakis’s parole, although they have yet to receive detailed information.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation by the major crime branch, noting the unusual nature of Vlassakis’s potential release given the severity of his crimes. Should the review not succeed, Vlassakis will transition to a pre-release centre, marking the beginning of his reintegration into society. However, even upon release, he will be subject to lifelong monitoring.
The gravity of Vlassakis’s crimes and the emotional toll on the victims’ families underscore the contentious nature of this parole decision, bringing to light broader questions regarding justice and the rights of victims in the face of procedural outcomes.