Evil serial killer should never be released, says retired Northern Territory detective

A RETIRED Territory detective has said the “evil” man who bashed a young sailor to death in the Barkly — and who is nearing the end of a prison sentence for another killing — should not be released

A RETIRED Territory detective has said the “evil” man who bashed a young sailor to death in the Barkly — and who is nearing the end of a prison sentence for another killing — should not be released.

Three-times convicted killer Reginald Kenneth Arthurell has been approved for day release by NSW prison authorities.

He is serving 24 years for the 1997 murder of his former fiancee, Venet Mulhall, whose care he was released into while he was on parole for the manslaughter of his stepfather. But as a fugitive in 1981, he was charged with killing naval rating Ross Browning, 19, on the side of the Barkly Highway.

Former commander John Maley, who led Darwin CIB at the time, told the NT News: “I was in the job 34 years there were only two (killers) who were absolutely evil.

“No remorse, no feeling.”

He said Martin Leach — a “true lifer” never to be released from prison, who murdered two girls at Berry Springs — was one.

Arthurell was the other.

“He has callously killed three people. He doesn’t deserve to be out.”

Mr Maley said Browning promised his parents he wouldn’t pick up hitchhikers as he headed south after working on the Navy base in Darwin.

But he found a travelling companion, a petty criminal, at Berry Springs after his car headlights failed.

They got the lights fixed and ended up at Three Ways, where they met Arthurell who was drinking at the bar on Melbourne Cup Day.

Mr Maley said: “He was a big imposing fella — it was incredible the way he could blend in.”

The trio drove a few kilometres down the Barkly Highway, before Arthurell and the other man bashed Browning.

They disconnected his trailer, stole his car and $600, went back to Three Ways, then returned to the scene.

Arthurell told detectives he knew the victim was still alive because he could “see his eyes flickering in the headlights”.

They bashed him to death.

A traveller found Browning’s Scouts trophy, and possessions scattered along the highway, along with Arthurell’s bloodstained jeans. Police found the body days later.

Tennant and District Times boss Jasmine Afianos, who was a teenager at the time, said the vicious killing shocked the community. “It was back when nobody locked their doors — suddenly people didn’t feel safe,” she said.

Arthurell was later extradited to NSW and sentenced to 11 years’ jail for his stepfather’s killing. He is also the prime suspect in the murders of at least four other ­people, but has never been charged.

His parole applications have been refused.

But he will participate in the day leave program in preparation for the end of his 24-year sentence in 2021.