Mass killer Julian Knight’s legal bid to get out of jail
A MASS killer jailed for killing seven people and wounding 19 others is reportedly planning a legal battle with the Victorian Government.
A MASS killer who is serving a jail term for killing seven people and wounding 19 others is reportedly planning a legal battle with the Victorian Government.
Julian Knight, 48, went on a shooting spree in Melbourne 1987 and has been behind bars since then. He pleaded guilty to the mass shooting in November 1988 and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years.
That expired two years ago and the 48-year-old wants to be considered for release — but blocking his way is a law specifically passed to keep him in jail.
The Herald Sun reports Knight has hired lawyers and was preparing a High Court challenge to the law that former Victorian premier Denis Napthine said would only apply to Knight. The purpose of it was to keep him in custody until he was nearly dead, or if he was considered too frail to be a danger.
It was introduced because Knight showed no remorse, Mr Napthine said at the time.
According to documents obtained by the Herald Sun, Knight planned to take on the legislation because it “interferes with or substantially eliminates” the discretion of the Adult Parole Board.
Knight is expected to argue in court the legislation is contrary to the Commonwealth Constitution.
Victims of Crime Commissioner Greg Davies told the Herald Sun he did not think the laws would be changed — or that Knight would succeed.
“I’m sure the finest legal minds in the land will be aware that he attempted to murder 29 people and killed seven of them. If the law says he’s entitled to get out, we may as well do away with prisons.”
Last year Knight told a Canberra court all other murderers in the Victorian prison system had been given the chance of parole, the ABC reported.
“The sole exception in the last 177 years is yours truly,” Knight said.
“Victoria has the most restrictive, unfair [parole] system in the country. The hope that I had based on that [plea bargain] 27 years earlier had evaporated.
“I’ve been somersaulted after 27 years, so no I don’t feel bound by that undertaking.”