One-punch killer Dylan Closter on day release to play footy
PREMIER Daniel Andrews says a brutal one-punch killer will not be allowed out on day release to play local football after the state government intervened and ordered a review into the Corrections Victoria decision.
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LATEST: Premier Daniel Andrews says he is “shocked” by Corrections Victoria’s decision to release a killer from prison so he can play local football.
Dylan Closter, 24, was jailed for a minimum of six years after he chased down and fatally punched 22-year-old David Cassai in Rye on New Year’s Eve in 2012.
Now, just four years into the term imposed in 2014, it has been revealed he has been on day release to play football with a regional team near his minimum security prison.
Premier Daniel Andrews has ordered a review and said Closter would not be allowed out on day release to play football while it takes place.
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He said it was his expectation that no violent offenders would be released to play football.
Mr Andrews apologised to Caterina Politi, mother of Mr Cassai, for the renewed trauma the Corrections Victoria decision caused.
“That is not treatment that aligns with the proper punishment that that person should be getting, the time they should be serving for the cowardly, evil act that they undertook,” Mr Andrews said.
“Our thoughts are with the family and I’m very sorry to think that they have again been put through all of this because of a decision made not by politicians, but made by Corrections Victoria staff.
“We’ve asked them to review that and I think that’s the appropriate thing to do.”
Mr Cassai’s mother Caterina Politi said she felt sick after being told of his regular day release by a Channel 7 reporter.
Ms Politi said a Department of Justice staffer had confirmed the secret day release arrangement.
“I am insulted, I’m offended. It’s never about victims,” she said.
“I hear this and I think why? The government says it wants to change things but it’s all lip service.
“They don’t want to change anything, they just want to keep it the way it is.”
Ms Politi said she wasn’t notified about the secret arrangement.
She said a government employee told her she only had to be notified when and her son’s killer applied for parole.
“How inhumane to think we don’t deserve to be told. As victims we’re not worth a phone call or a letter,” she said.
“I’m all for rehabilitation but punishment has to be number one.”
Ms Politi said she worried for players lining up against Closter.
“What about the players in the other teams? Are they aware they’re playing against a killer with lethal fists?,” she said.
“Has that been disclosed to his teammates and opposition players? On so many levels it’s so wrong.”
Ms Politi said like so many other victims in Victoria, they fell behind accused and convicted criminals within the state’s justice system.
“He sees the sunshine everyday. There’s always a cloud in my life, my heart is all broken pieces,” she said.
“This keeps digging the knife in and twisting. You think you have to accept what’s happened then this happens and it all comes undone.
“Unless it happens to someone who can make a difference, things will never change. If you’re not high profile, forget about it.”
Rushworth Football Club today confirmed it did not know that members were playing alongside a killer who was out on day release from jail.
Dylan Closter’s background was not disclosed to the team as part of standard procedure under the scheme.
Martin Gleeson, AFL regional general manager for the Murray Goulburn Football League, told the Herald Sun the program had been running for more than seven years.
“If Corrections Victoria say they are suitable we help, we don’t track it. The first I heard about this was yesterday,” he said.
“The club didn’t know his background, it’s not something that’s advertised.
“As soon as you put a jumper on everyone is equal.”
Mr Gleeson said he understood the views of David Cassai’s family.
But he said the program as a whole worked to help prisoners get back into the community.
He said that there were “less than 10” prisoners playing in the league, which was a lower level league made up of small clubs.
Any player found guilty at the tribunal was taken out of the program.
He said that players were allowed to shower after the game but were not allowed to leave the ground to socialise.
Players were not allowed to drink alcohol, he added.
“They are transported to the game and they are under supervision,” he said.
Mr Gleeson said any decision on Closter’s future was up to Corrections Victoria.
He said the program was reviewed every year and club’s had to apply for players.
“We have had some positive feedback in the local media over the last few years,” he said.
Corrections Commissioner Emma Cassar told 3AW the purpose of such programs at minimum security prisons was to reduce barriers for prisoners return to the community.
She said ten prisoners were playing in the local leagues across three clubs.
“These programs are very long lasting with prisoners playing football in local clubs for over seven years or maybe more,” Dr Cassar said.
“At Dhurringile we were certainly asked by the locals to consider reintroducing playing in the local clubs in 2011. The community initiated this and that was because they were having trouble recruiting players and they really see the value of our minimum security prisons working hand-in-glove with communities.”
She said all clubs in the league were aware that there are prisoners playing and she wasn’t aware of any issues involving the prisoners playing.
Closter was jailed after pleading guilty to manslaughter and affray.
The Supreme Court heard Closter initiated the unprovoked assault on Mr Cassai and his friends as they walked past the Rye shopping strip on the way back to their campsite after drinking at the Portsea Hotel.
Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said his unprovoked, alcohol-fuelled actions had catastrophic consequences.
“In the space of less than a minute, multiple punches had been thrown, one man was dead and five others were injured,” the judge said.
“You repeatedly chased after him, trying to punch him, even though he and his friends were trying to back away from you and defuse the situation.”
Mr Cassai stumbled and fell on the road after one punch connected, before getting up and being chased by Closter, who landed a powerful roundhouse punch to his left temple area.
Mr Cassai fell straight backwards, smacking his head on the pavement and fracturing his skull, causing the deadly brain injury to which he would succumb hours later.
In sentencing Closter to nine years and three months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of six years, Justice Hollingworth told Closter: “What happened that night was entirely of your making.”
Ms Politi has spent the years since her son’s death campaigning against coward punch attacks through her foundation Stop. One Punch Can Kill.
Corrections Victoria said in a statement: “Only minimum security prisoners who meet club eligibility standards are able to participate in local football leagues.
“They are carefully selected based on behaviour and risk assessments, and prison management works closely with clubs and the league to facilitate their involvement.
“Prisoners remain under strict and constant supervision at all times while in the community, with approved volunteers escorting them to and from training and games and providing supervision throughout.
“Where any issues are identified with a prisoner’s conduct, prison management will liaise with the club and the league and take appropriate action as required.”
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