Karla Homolka Free?
Woman in Infamous Sex Case Gains Freedom
By Rob Gillies
TORONTO (AP) — A judge Wednesday lifted all restrictions against a woman who served 12 years in prison for her role in the rape and murder of three teenagers, considered one Canada's most notorious crimes.
The ruling by Quebec Superior Justice James Brunton means Karla Homolka, who was convicted of manslaughter in 1993, does not have to report regularly to police, can go where she wants and see whom she pleases.
Homolka, 35, received the relatively light sentence of 12 years in prison for helping her ex-husband rape and murder teenagers Kristen French, 15, and Leslie Mahaffy, 14, in the early 1990s.
In return, she agreed to testify against ex-husband Paul Bernardo, a Toronto bookkeeper serving a life term in an Ontario prison for two counts of first-degree murder.
In sentencing Homolka, the court also considered her role in the 1990 death of her 15-year-old sister, Tammy, who died on Christmas Eve after Homolka held a drug-soaked cloth over her face while Bernardo raped her.
Homolka told the court and psychiatrists she was a battered wife who took part in the rapes and murders to protect herself and her family.
Months after prosecutors made the plea bargain, however, Bernardo's attorneys handed over homemade videotapes by the couple that indicated Homolka was a willing participant, drawing the ire of Canadians.
When she was released in July, a Superior Court judge in Montreal imposed several restrictions, which her lawyers argued violated the plea bargain agreement.
"The possibility that Ms. (Homolka) might reoffend one day cannot be completely eliminated," Brunton wrote.
"However, her development over the last 12 years demonstrates, on a balance of probabilities, that this is unlikely to occur. She does not represent a real and imminent danger."
Tim Danson, the lawyer representing the victims' families, said his clients were stunned by Wednesday's ruling.
"That one could conclude that Karla Homolka does not represent a serious threat to public safety is simply unacceptable to the families," he said.
Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant said he was disappointed and hopes the decision will be appealed.
Homolka is believed to be living in the Montreal area. Her lawyer, Sylvie Bordelais, said she was "pleased" by the ruling.
taken from: crimelibrary.com
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WTF? Since when do we let sociopaths walk around unchecked? This is just crazytalk, anyone who can rape and kill her own sister is a threat to everyone else. Karla has raped many young girls, she did not just provide the medication to drug them she ACTIVELY partipated.
If the judge that determined she is not a threat to the community, truly believes it; he should invite her to dinner at her house with his young daughters. Why not move her in and let her be your nanny or your house keeper?
If Karla were Karl; would he be released? NO! Would he be given true freedom if he were in fact released? NO!! This is a double standard that exists in our court system and it needs to be addressed. Just because women bear children, are generally childcare providers and are suppose to have some sort of 'instinct'....none of this information means that females are incapable of killing for the lust of it.
As for her just 'following' because she was told to...is that not more dangerous? Damn our legal system failed the public, the victims and their families in every aspect imaginable. This will go down as one of our shameful stupidities. Female sociapaths are much more convincing to males in particular, is it possible that the judge was not swayed by his insistence that the crown did not prove that she is a danger to society but rather was convinced by her good looks and suave personality?
I will follow this devolopment and update my blog as news surfaces.
By Rob Gillies
TORONTO (AP) — A judge Wednesday lifted all restrictions against a woman who served 12 years in prison for her role in the rape and murder of three teenagers, considered one Canada's most notorious crimes.
The ruling by Quebec Superior Justice James Brunton means Karla Homolka, who was convicted of manslaughter in 1993, does not have to report regularly to police, can go where she wants and see whom she pleases.
Homolka, 35, received the relatively light sentence of 12 years in prison for helping her ex-husband rape and murder teenagers Kristen French, 15, and Leslie Mahaffy, 14, in the early 1990s.
In return, she agreed to testify against ex-husband Paul Bernardo, a Toronto bookkeeper serving a life term in an Ontario prison for two counts of first-degree murder.
In sentencing Homolka, the court also considered her role in the 1990 death of her 15-year-old sister, Tammy, who died on Christmas Eve after Homolka held a drug-soaked cloth over her face while Bernardo raped her.
Homolka told the court and psychiatrists she was a battered wife who took part in the rapes and murders to protect herself and her family.
Months after prosecutors made the plea bargain, however, Bernardo's attorneys handed over homemade videotapes by the couple that indicated Homolka was a willing participant, drawing the ire of Canadians.
When she was released in July, a Superior Court judge in Montreal imposed several restrictions, which her lawyers argued violated the plea bargain agreement.
"The possibility that Ms. (Homolka) might reoffend one day cannot be completely eliminated," Brunton wrote.
"However, her development over the last 12 years demonstrates, on a balance of probabilities, that this is unlikely to occur. She does not represent a real and imminent danger."
Tim Danson, the lawyer representing the victims' families, said his clients were stunned by Wednesday's ruling.
"That one could conclude that Karla Homolka does not represent a serious threat to public safety is simply unacceptable to the families," he said.
Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant said he was disappointed and hopes the decision will be appealed.
Homolka is believed to be living in the Montreal area. Her lawyer, Sylvie Bordelais, said she was "pleased" by the ruling.
taken from: crimelibrary.com
-------------------
WTF? Since when do we let sociopaths walk around unchecked? This is just crazytalk, anyone who can rape and kill her own sister is a threat to everyone else. Karla has raped many young girls, she did not just provide the medication to drug them she ACTIVELY partipated.
If the judge that determined she is not a threat to the community, truly believes it; he should invite her to dinner at her house with his young daughters. Why not move her in and let her be your nanny or your house keeper?
If Karla were Karl; would he be released? NO! Would he be given true freedom if he were in fact released? NO!! This is a double standard that exists in our court system and it needs to be addressed. Just because women bear children, are generally childcare providers and are suppose to have some sort of 'instinct'....none of this information means that females are incapable of killing for the lust of it.
As for her just 'following' because she was told to...is that not more dangerous? Damn our legal system failed the public, the victims and their families in every aspect imaginable. This will go down as one of our shameful stupidities. Female sociapaths are much more convincing to males in particular, is it possible that the judge was not swayed by his insistence that the crown did not prove that she is a danger to society but rather was convinced by her good looks and suave personality?
I will follow this devolopment and update my blog as news surfaces.
