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Snowtown bodies in the barrels murders still wrapped in secrecy
MORE than 150 secrecy orders still blanket the Snowtown "bodies in the barrels" case, seven years after Australia's worst serial killers were jailed.
The embarrassing statistic came to light in a suppression order review hearing this morning.
The hearing was sought by Melbourne-based production company Warped Films Australia.
It will next year release Snowtown, a $2.5 million film telling the story of the murders through the eyes of convicted killer James Vlassakis.
The murders occurred between August 1992 and May 1999.
A total of 12 people were killed in extremely violent incidents, including torture and cannibalism.
The crimes came to light when the remains of eight people were found in a disused bank vault in Snowtown, 145km north of Adelaide.
The prosecution of ringleader John Justin Bunting and his accomplices was shrouded in unprecedented levels of secrecy.
No fewer than 220 suppression orders prohibited reporting of aspects of the case including the colour of the barrels.
Most orders were made in the Adelaide Magistrates Court during pre-trial hearings, and were superceded by the rulings of the Supreme Court.
Today Peter Campbell, for Warp, said the orders existed nonetheless - meaning his client's movie would technically be a contempt of court.
"There's between 150 and 200 orders still in place, although practically none of them have any basis," he said.
"A lot were made for very specific reasons that just evaporated days after they were issued.
"There's a lot of orders that just shouldn't be there."
He asked the court revoke an outdated order suppressing the name of victim Ray Davies, who is mentioned in the finished film.
Magistrate David Gurry said he had "assumed" the Supreme Court decisions overruled those of his court.
"I think I'll just make a blanket order and revoke all of (the remaining orders)," he said.
Carmen Matteo, prosecuting, opposed that move.
"I would urge Your Honour not to do that," she said.
"Some of the orders in place were designed to protect persons connected with the case from undue hardship."
Mr Gurry revoked the Ray Davies order.
Snowtown is set to premiere at 2011's Adelaide Film Festival
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