Latest news with #FrancesNelson
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
At 19, He Was Pulled Into into Serial Killing Ring that Was Dramatized in a Movie — and Now He's Going Free
James Vlassakis, who was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 26 years, committed four of 11 murders that occurred between 1992 and 1999 in Snowtown, South AustraliaNEED TO KNOW A serial killer in South Australia was granted parole this week after decades behind bars James Vlassakis, who was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 26 years, committed four of 11 murders that occurred between 1992 and 1999 in Snowtown Frances Nelson, the South Australian parole board chief, said Vlassakis "does not represent a risk to the community'James Vlassakis, a serial killer in South Australia, was granted parole this week after spending more than two decades behind bars, according to multiple news reports. The decision was made by the South Australian Parole Board on Tuesday, Aug. 5, with the board saying that Vlassakis will serve the remainder of his life sentence outside of prison walls under special conditions, according to The Guardian, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and The Sydney Morning Herald. Frances Nelson, the parole board chief, said Vlassakis "does not represent a risk to the community' and will be sent to a pre-release facility for up to 12 months before he is officially released, per The Sydney Morning Herald. PEOPLE reached out to the South Australian Parole Board for comment on Tuesday, Aug. 5 but did not immediately hear back. Vlassakis has been in prison for the past 26 years after being convicted for his role in the "Snowtown murders" that occurred between 1992 and 1999 in South Australia. Authorities said Vlassakis, who was 19 at the time, committed four of the 11 murders alongside three others, The Guardian reported. He has never been pictured. The killings came to light in May 1999, when authorities discovered dismembered remains in plastic barrels filled with hydrochloric acid in an old bank vault in Snowtown, per The Guardian. According to ABC, authorities said the victims were relatives and friends of the killers. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Vlassakis' stepfather, John Bunting, and Robert Wagner committed the murders along with Vlassakis. They are serving life sentences without parole and Vlassakis testified against the two during their trials, per ABC. Mark Ray Haydon, 66, who help cover up the killings, was released on parole with special conditions in May 2024, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The murders were depicted in the 2011 film Snowtown, which follows the perspective of Vlassakis' character as the killings take place. Ronald Lane, the nephew of one of the victims, called the decision to grant Vlassakis parole a "kick in the face for the families that are involved," per ABC. "What about the victims' lives? They didn't get the chance to even live their lives — they were brutally killed," Lane said, per the outlet. Speaking further about Vlassakis' release, Nelson said, "Many victims have the view that someone hasn't really got a long enough sentence and they shouldn't be released, but that isn't a matter that should even feature for the parole board — it would usurp the function of the courts," ABC reported. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Serial killer linked to one of Australia's most notorious crime sagas WALKS FREE from jail after 26 years
The youngest of the four men convicted over South Australia 's 'bodies in the barrels' serial killings has been granted parole. James Vlassakis has spent 26 years behind bars after being found guilty of being involved in four of the 11 murders between 1992 and 1999. At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, SA's parole board approved his application to serve the remainder of his life sentence under conditions in the community. Parole Board chief Frances Nelson told AAP that Vlassakis 'does not represent a risk to the community' and would be sent to the Adelaide pre-release centre for up to 12 months and undergo a resocialisation process. Vlassakis was 19 when he committed the crimes and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years, which expires in August 2025. Ms Nelson said she was 'sure that the victims feel he has been insufficiently punished'. 'That's quite common for victims to feel that way, but that's not our role,' she said. 'Sentencing and punishment is a matter for a judge, not for a parole board, and the legislation prevents us from imposing our own view on sentence, so our role is simply to assess whether he fulfils the legislative criteria for parole.' Snowtown murders accomplice Mark Ray Haydon, 66, was released on parole in May 2024 to live in the community under strict supervision. Vlassakis was also a key prosecution witness against John Bunting and Robert Wagner, who were found guilty of 11 and 10 murders respectively. Both are serving life sentences with no chance of parole. Vlassakis would be moved to the pre-release centre 'provided there is no request to review our decision', Ms Nelson said. 'There is a 60-day period which would enable either the attorney general or the commissioner for victims rights or the police commissioner to apply for a review,' she said. Commissioner for Victims Rights Sarah Quick told AAP the decision would 'understandably bring fresh pain and anger to those who have already suffered beyond measure'. 'These individuals are not only worn down by their trauma, but also by the ongoing criminal justice processes,' she said. 'The prospect of Mr Vlassakis re-entering the community is a difficult reality for the victims and will require a significant emotional adjustment, adding to an already unbearable burden. 'We must never forget that - for the friends, family and loved ones of murder victims - the impact of the killing does not end simply because a prison term has ended. It is something they live with every day for the rest of their lives.' A suppression order on images of Vlassakis remains in effect, and there has been a high level of secrecy regarding his imprisonment. In July, Haydon appeared in the SA Supreme Court, where an application for an extended supervision order for a high-risk offender was approved, and most of the conditions of an interim order imposed in 2024 were confirmed.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- The Guardian
Snowtown murderer granted parole after decades in jail for South Australia's ‘bodies in the barrels' serial killings
The youngest of the four men convicted over South Australia's 'bodies in the barrels' serial killings has been granted parole. James Vlassakis has spent 26 years behind bars after being found guilty of being involved in four of the 11 murders between 1992 and 1999. At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, SA's parole board approved his application to serve the remainder of his life sentence under conditions in the community. Parole board chief Frances Nelson told AAP that Vlassakis 'does not represent a risk to the community' and would be sent to the Adelaide pre-release centre for up to 12 months and undergo a resocialisation process. Vlassakis was 19 when he committed the crimes and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 26 years, which expires in August 2025. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Nelson said she was 'sure that the victims feel he has been insufficiently punished'. 'That's quite common for victims to feel that way, but that's not our role,' she said. 'Sentencing and punishment is a matter for a judge, not for a parole board, and the legislation prevents us from imposing our own view on sentence, so our role is simply to assess whether he fulfils the legislative criteria for parole.' Snowtown murders accomplice Mark Ray Haydon, 66, was released on parole in May 2024 to live in the community under strict supervision. Vlassakis was also a key prosecution witness against John Bunting and Robert Wagner, who were found guilty of 11 and 10 murders respectively. Both are serving life sentences with no chance of parole. Vlassakis would be moved to the pre-release centre 'provided there is no request to review our decision', Nelson said. 'There is a 60-day period which would enable either the attorney general or the commissioner for victims rights or the police commissioner to apply for a review,' she said. Commissioner for Victims Rights Sarah Quick told AAP the decision would 'understandably bring fresh pain and anger to those who have already suffered beyond measure'. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'These individuals are not only worn down by their trauma, but also by the ongoing criminal justice processes,' she said. 'The prospect of Mr Vlassakis re-entering the community is a difficult reality for the victims and will require a significant emotional adjustment, adding to an already unbearable burden. 'We must never forget that – for the friends, family and loved ones of murder victims – the impact of the killing does not end simply because a prison term has ended. It is something they live with every day for the rest of their lives.' A suppression order on images of Vlassakis remains in effect, and there has been a high level of secrecy regarding his imprisonment. In July, Haydon appeared in the SA supreme court, where an application for an extended supervision order for a high-risk offender was approved, and most of the conditions of an interim order imposed in 2024 were confirmed. He spent 25 years in jail for his role as an accessory in the murder spree.
