The Maltese father of a man who was murdered in Australia’s St Hoddle massacre has joined survivors of the horrific event to call for the crazed gunman to never be released. He was sentenced to life with a 27-year minimum in jail.
The Herald Sun newspaper recently reported that as the 20th anniversary of the shooting rampage looms, those connected by their grief have joined a chorus calling for gunman Julian Knight to die in jail.
Knight, who murdered seven people and injured 19 with three high-powered guns, will be eligible for parole in August 2014. It took Knight, then 19, only 48 minutes to carry out his massacre.
If released at his earliest possible parole date, the army reject will be 49. Retired tram driver Phillip Muscat lost his son John, 26, in the gunfire.
Mr Muscat survived the war in Malta, only to see his son killed in a suburban war zone in Melbourne on 9 August 1987. “He should stay inside,” Mr Muscat said of Knight. “Justice is not much good in Australia.”
An actual survivor with a Maltese connection also spoke to the newspaper. Peter Curmi survived his bullet wounds in the attack. “There was no sympathy and no remorse. He just went out and shot us like animals,” Mr Curmi said.
Knight shot swimming pool manager Steve Wight in the head and stomach as Mr Wight rushed to help victims John Muscat and Mr Curmi.
“I don’t believe he can contribute to society in any way,” Mr Wight said.
“He’s never shown any remorse and he’s constantly flouted the law. He studied military strategies and some other courses while in prison.
“What’s the likelihood of him coming out and wanting to do the same thing again?
“My biggest fear is that it could happen again.”
Former police officer Peter Butts, heroic on the night of the massacre, said Knight should serve his life sentence.
“I am not convinced that anyone who committed a massacre like that can be rehabilitated,” he said.
The Victorian Adult Parole Board will decide if Knight should be released after serving his 27-year minimum term.
While in jail, Knight has been caught hiding makeshift knives, other weapons and personal files about judges and his guards.
In August 1998, he was found guilty of bashing a prison inmate with a metal bar and a billiard ball in a sock.