James Vlassakis, the youngest member of the Snowtown 'bodies in the barrels' murder ring, will remain in prison after a parole review overturned a decision to release him. The retired judge Michael David KC ruled that releasing Vlassakis would pose a risk to the community due to the gravity of his crimes.
Vlassakis, now in his 40s, has served 26 years for four murders committed between 1992 and 1999. He was sentenced to life with a 26-year non-parole period, which expired in August. The original parole board decision in August had granted his release, but South Australia's Attorney General Kyam Maher successfully sought a review.
In his decision, Justice David acknowledged Vlassakis's good behaviour in custody but emphasised the need to protect the public. He described the offences as 'very evilly premeditated, violent, gross, and disgustingly unusual'. He found the parole board had underestimated the gravity of the offending and that releasing Vlassakis at this 'relatively early stage' would be a risk.
Vlassakis was a key witness in the trials of John Bunting and Robert Wagner, who were convicted of 11 and 10 murders respectively. The bodies of eight victims were found in barrels in a Snowtown bank vault in 1999. Accomplice Mark Ray Haydon was released on parole in May 2024. Strict suppression orders prevent publication of Vlassakis's image or identifying details.
