Snowtown killer Robert Wagner’s bid for non-parole period refused by Adelaide court

“Bodies in the barrels” serial killer Robert Joe Wagner’s bid for an eventual non-parole period has been refused by an Adelaide court — in a judgment that took just 10 seconds.

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Serial murderer Robert Joe Wagner is plainly a hardened and remorseless killer who is incapable of rehabilitation and must never be released from prison, a court has ruled.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed the “bodies in the barrels” killer’s bid for a non-parole period in a hearing that lasted just 10 seconds.

Wagner, who murdered 10 people during the infamous 1990s killing spree, did not even have time to sit down before Justice Greg Parker rejected him and adjourned the court.

Snowtown killers Mark Haydon (left), John Bunting (second left), a court official and Robert Wagner (right).

In his 20-page written judgment, Justice Parker says there was no need to compare Wagner’s “level of depravity” with other members of the state’s notorious rogues’ gallery.

“I firmly consider that the ‘bodies in the barrels’ murders are the worst crimes to ever be detected in South Australia … (Wagner) is plainly a hardened killer,” he wrote.

“The lack of even a bare assertion of remorse from (Wagner) is consistent with (him) being incapable of true rehabilitation.

“The punitive aspect of sentencing weighs heavily in circumstances where (he) engaged in ten planned killings, some involving appalling torture and later mutilation of bodies, motivated by a mixture of pleasure, profit, personal dislike, vigilantism and the avoidance of discovery.”

The former bank building in Snowtown, SA that gained notoriety for the bodies in the barrels murders.

Commissioner for Victims’ Rights Bronwyn Killmier, who represented the victims’ families in court, welcomed the decision.

“This application has been extremely difficult for the families, one they never thought they would have to face,” she said.

“(Today) did not alleviate their pain but it went some way to acknowledging the horrific nature of these crimes and the depth of their suffering.

“They consider he does not have a right to freedom, as he gave this up when he killed 10 people.”

Wagner, 48, is serving 10 consecutive life sentences without parole for his part in the infamous 1990s murder spree.

The ringleader, John Justin Bunting, is serving 11 consecutive life sentences, also without parole.

In March, The Advertiser revealed Wagner had asked the Supreme Court to grant him a non-parole period to aid his rehabilitation and his mental health.

He said he wanted even a remote opportunity to possibly spend time with his now-adult son one day.

Wagner also complained of his treatment in prison, claiming officials had intercepted his mail and prevented a “helpful” visitor speaking to both him and Bunting.

Prosecutors opposed the bid, saying Wagner’s crimes were so great that he could never meet the legal test for imposing such a period.

His victims’ families, meanwhile, said the murders showed “brutality on a scale never before seen in this country”.

They said they remained terrified Wagner would track them down and resume his killing spree if ever released from prison.

In his judgment, Justice Parker recounted the murders and the torture that preceded them, including the use of lighters, pliers and electric current.

He said Wagner had discussed the murders “excitedly” with his conspirators — including how he had forced some victims to call him “God” and Bunting “master”.

“(Wagner) showed pleasure in inflicting pain and boasted and joked about his involvement in some of the killings,” he said.

“Bunting and (Wagner) were in the business of killing … (they) displayed an extreme level of depravity (and) constituted crimes at the highest level of objective seriousness.

“I dismiss the application.”

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