One of Australia's 'most violent' killers makes bid for freedom

Alistair Farquhar MacRae, serving sentences for the murders of four people, is fighting for his freedom after almost 40 years behind bars. MacRae, once stating he should never be released, was granted parole in June, but this decision is now subject to an administrative review.

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These are what I would describe as execution style murders, so they're obviously premeditated, they're very carefully planned and they show no emotion at all

MacRae's crimes include the 1985 murders of Dominic Marafiote and his parents, Rosa and Carmelo Marafiote. He also killed Albert O'Hara six months prior, luring him to his property under the guise of marijuana deals before fatally shooting him. MacRae has been incarcerated since his arrest in December 1987, serving four life sentences with a non-parole period of 36 years.

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He would rate as one of the most violent offenders I think Australia has currently seen.

Criminologist Xanthe Weston described MacRae as one of Australia's most violent offenders, characterizing his murders as "execution style." She noted they were premeditated, carefully planned, and executed without emotion. Weston expressed that such a review for MacRae's parole was a strong possibility given the extreme seriousness of his crimes.

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I'm not at all surprised that there are cause for a review of this individual being released into the community given the seriousness of these crimes

The 77-year-old is currently at the Yatala pre-release center. While details of parole reviews are typically confidential, the review is confirmed to be underway. The possibility of MacRae's release has raised concerns within the community about potential future harm, given the nature of his past offenses.

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Four murders is quite extreme and I think that the community is rightly concerned that this individual may be released and could go on to harm others given the right circumstances.