Robyn Barnes, sister of murder victim Alan Barnes, speaks out against voluntary assisted dying for major criminals
The controversial move to approve the Bicycle Bandit for voluntary assisted dying has angered the sister of a victim of the notorious Family Murders.
SA News
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Robyn Barnes the sister of Alan Barnes, a teenager murdered more than 40 years ago, wants to see serious criminals denied access to voluntary assisted dying in the wake of the notorious Bicycle Bandit’s successful bid to die.
Former police officer Bicycle Bandit Kym Allen Parsons pleaded guilty to armed robbery charges – the most serious in the state’s history, according to prosecutors – after SA Health approved him for VAD.
The move has been labelled unfair, with Robyn Barnes telling 7NEWS it allows criminals to escape justice. She said the move could set a precedent.
“That’s not owning up to what you did. That’s not fair,” she said.
Her brother Alan Barnes was murdered at the age of 16, the first victim of the horrific Family murders.
Bevan Spencer von Einem, Barnes’ suspected killer, is the only perpetrator to serve jail time for the gruesome crimes and has reportedly suffered poor health.
Now, Ms Barnes fears he may escape having to serve his full sentence if he is diagnosed with a terminal illness and applies for Voluntary Assisted Dying – allowing him to legally end his life.
“There’s got to be something in there to stop people like him, von Einem, being able to do this,” Ms Barnes said.
“It’s just like when you see those that do murder and then commit suicide, that’s cheating.”
“They get to pass away in peace and with their loved ones around [them]. These victims never got that. Their families never got to say goodbye properly. We never got that. What we got was what was left over. That’s not right.”
SA Health Minister Chris Picton said the law that’s in place doesn’t have particular requirements around eligibility, except that the person must be terminally ill.
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