Julian Knight

Who is Julian Knight?

Julian Knight is an Australian mass murderer. On 9 August 1987, he shot dead seven people and injured 19 during a shooting spree in Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia, in what became known in Australian history as the Hoddle Street massacre.

Knight is currently serving seven consecutive life sentences with non-parole period of 27 years. At the time of sentencing Victoria had no provision for life imprisonment without parole, also as Knight was aged between 18 and 21 at the time, he was classed as a young offender, meaning the sentencing judge had to give more weight to his prospects of rehabilitation. The judge who sentenced him, Justice George Hampel, stated that there were "a number of mitigatory factors" including his age and "prospects of rehabilitation."

Knight currently resides in the maximum security Port Phillip Prison in Truganina, Victoria near Melbourne and is eligible for parole in 2014; however, the Victorian government has stated that it is "unlikely" Knight will ever be released.