Hoddle St killer Julian Knights wants Paul Denyer jailed for life

Mass murderer Julian Knight has written to Daniel Andrews over his refusal to back a push that would keep Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer jailed for life.

Hoddle St killer Julian Knight has joined the fight to keep Paul Denyer behind bars, accusing Daniel Andrews of hypocrisy over his refusal to back the push.

Knight, who infamously killed seven and wounded 19 people in a 1987 shooting rampage, became the first Victorian subject to a specific law to keep him behind bars forever.

He was two months shy of his earliest release date when Denis Napthine’s government legislated against him in 2014 in a move backed by the Andrews opposition.

When Knight later lost a High Court bid to overturn the law Mr Andrews, then Premier, said: “this is a fantastic outcome for the safety of every single Victorian.”

The Andrews government passed a similar law was later introduced to keep Russell St bomber Craig Minogue imprisoned.

The laws deem both men ineligible for parole unless on their deathbeds or so infirm they are deemed harmless.

Julian Knight, then 19, shot dead seven people and wounded 19 others in Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill. Picture: Michael Potter

An opposition bill before the upper house proposes imposing identical conditions on any future bid for release by Denyer, who was last month refused parole.

But Mr Andrews has ruled out support for such a move citing his confidence in the Adult Parole Board.

Writing from Port Phillip Prison, Knight accused the Premier of playing politics over his stance.

“Given that you have “confidence … in the Adult Parole Board” to make “the right decision” with respect to the parole of Paul Denyer, do you now have confidence that they would make “the right decision” regarding the parole of myself and Craig Minogue,” he said.

“In light of your apparent change of position, do you now intend to repeal s. 74AA (Conditions for making a parole order for Julian Knight) and s. 74AB (Conditions for making a parole order for Craig Minogue) of the Corrections Act 1986 (Vic)

“I note that you supported the introduction of s. 74AA while in opposition, and the introduction of s. 74AB while in government.

Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer being taken away by police. Picture: supplied

“If you do not intend to repeal ss. 74AA and 74AB, would you please explain why the parole of Paul Denyer is a matter “for the Adult Parole Board” that you will leave “to them to make their judgment”, but the parole of myself and Dr Minogue still requires specific legislation?”

“I note that myself and Dr Minogue both received minimum non-parole terms that were unopposed and not appealed against by the Crown, whereas Mr Denyer was originally refused a minimum term but was given one on appeal (in a split decision).

“I also note that, unlike Mr Denyer, neither myself nor Dr Minogue were the subject of public campaigns to keep us imprisoned. Does this disparity indicate that the government pursues its own agendas in the face of public opinion?

“Your explanation as to the inexplicable disparity between our cases would be much appreciated.”

Hoddle Street mass murderer Julian Knight was subject to laws which ensure he will remain jailed for life. Picture: supplied

With a bill to be debated in the upper house as early as next week, families of Denyer’s victims have been personally lobbying MPs to back a new law.

The opposition needs to secure the support of at least seven crossbench MPs for the bill to pass in a move that would increase pressure on the government to support the law in the lower house.

Denyer was sentenced to life with a non-parole period of 30 years in 1993 for the Frankston murders that year of student ­Elizabeth Anne-Marie Stevens, 18, mother Debbie Fream, 22, and schoolgirl Natalie Russell, 17.

He was initially sentenced to life in jail with no prospect of release, but appealed and got a 30-year minimum term.