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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 10:36:56 GMT -5
I most definately advocate the use of LWOP and always had.... I'll leave the Bernardo / Homolka analysis to Dave; he has a whole spiel about it based on what came to the top of his head during a media appearance.... (I'm busy with the day job right now and just tossing a few comments into the ring....) we will come back to it though if you want to hash some of the details.... personal ? You are the one who named it 'I've got a problem with CCADP" and came with all kinds of accusations against free speech) We are all for free speech - we beat Arizona on a 1st amendment issue in federal court 2 years ago and make pages for death row prisoners - and have never banned anyone from here except an IP sending crazy; wackey; hateful; obscene posts to victims family members - so I was pointing out that your attack was wrong but thanks for apologizing on that point I have all kinds of causes and always have - relating to the justice system as well as a whole lot of unrelated things. But in this particular single issue forum; we simply attack the death penalty. And advocate LWOP as the only responsible alternative; though some posters here might disagree with LWOP as well....
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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 10:47:56 GMT -5
Its simple; 'homolka'
I don't think its appropriate to use this case to get media coverage; yes; we'd be quoted (we have already answered CTV and The Sun with similar feelings as to what you state) - that the public anger is right in this case; and that we don't think she should have been released (tho I don;t think its right to change the criminal code at this late date on behalf of one person) - I think that people should focus this anger towards perhaps advocating less leeway for prosecutors in plea bargain deal; less giving prisoners less time in exchange for 'snitch testimony.' etc etc...
If media calls; we are responding; but I am not about to call them up about it. I think the 24 hour media blitz has been quite enough; with everyone who did time with Karla; went to junior high with karla; investigated karla; worked with karla etc etc etc getting their two minutes of fame. The media is acting like the US media on a bad day; all Scott Peterson and Runaway Bride.
I don't need to publicly grandstand about this; I will say to them what I have said; the justice system needs to be changed so that people will be fairly punished and the public protected; and prosecutors need to be reigned in. But I am not making a point of joining the baying hounds on this one.
All members of the CCADP agree on one thing - the government should not be mandated to kill; and revenge killing is wrong. As directors of CCADP; speaking for all our members; that is the ONLY issue we discuss. If anyone wants to interview me as an individual; I'd be glad to give my personal opinion; which is no more valid than anyone else's. I am an expert on the Death Penalty; and its application around the world; and its history; not on the intricacies of the Canadian criminal justice system and rules of evidence legislation.
We talk about what we know; and what our members have mandated us to talk about. Its an international org with members to answer to; not the Dave and Tracy Opinion Show.
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Post by mikebook on Jun 3, 2005 10:56:30 GMT -5
Does Canada have a similar system to the United States...I mean, once you are released, you have paid your debt to society and can go about your business?
I do hope that is the case and some idiot does not wack her at the store or something...
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Post by homolka on Jun 3, 2005 11:10:15 GMT -5
Does Canada have a similar system to the United States...I mean, once you are released, you have paid your debt to society and can go about your business? I do hope that is the case and some idiot does not wack her at the store or something... That's exactly the thing though. I'll make a guess here that the majority of Canada feels the legal system has failed. She has not "paid [her] debt to society," because she has only done 12 years. I believe it would be very difficult to argue against her getting "LWOP," but instead she got a meagre 12 years with parole (and only remained in prison for the full extent of her sentence due to her own pleadings). And all this for the sexual assault, dismemberment, and death/murder of 3 women (not to mention a further unknown amount of sexual abuse victims that are to this day still surfacing)? It is this failure of the justice system that will ultimately result in her being "whacked" at a store or something. I am from Niagara originally, and I know the wounds are still very open. And the sentiment and news coverage across Canada shows that the country shares what was once our Niagara-specific sentiments. If she returns, there is a very real probability that she will be killed. CCADP is against "vigilante justice," yet you're failing to address the root cause of it--what I term "judicial inequality." It just doesn't work. Cut to the source. With an adequate legal system with adequate sentencing, we will have absolutely no need in the world for the death penalty and will pave the way towards abolishing it. Do you honestly believe she has 'paid her debt' and done her time? Or has she done her time in an innadequate and unbalanced legal system (the sentence of which I would argue is no more than a legal technicality)?
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Post by homolka on Jun 3, 2005 11:12:52 GMT -5
"...we simply attack the death penalty. And advocate LWOP as the only responsible alternative..." Then advocate it. Weigh in. LWOP is exactly what I'm pressing for here. Even advocate simply doubling her sentence if members of CCADP are wary of LWOP. Anything beyond the sentence she received will make an unquantifiable difference for Canada.
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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 11:15:51 GMT -5
Are you reading what I am writing ? NO I do not believe she has done her time (well; she has done the time they gave her; and thats the problem I guess; it can't be changed after the fact to correct the mistakes that they made that led to her getting such a short sentence.) I think she should have had a much longer sentence; if not LWOP (I mean; if people really prove that much behavior was coerced then perhap she could get 40 years or 50 instead of LWOP) but no; I do not think that 12 years is a long enough sentence for the crimes she was a part of. I thought I already made that clear.
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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 11:17:50 GMT -5
Again; I have said that when media has asked me about this issue. I have said public anger is justified as a result of her short sentence. And that the public should address that; and the plea bargaining process; and the snitch testimony for deals process.
I've said all this; publicly and privately....
But media is more interested in reporting on sensational stuff that will get headlines; like "GIRL WHO WAS IN JAIL WITH HOMOLKA SAYS" etc...
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Post by mikebook on Jun 3, 2005 11:18:48 GMT -5
So she could go back to prison or the streets...
Not good for her if the put the release in the new, like the media sometimes does...
Not in favor of Judge Lynch...
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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 11:24:04 GMT -5
Media is already camping out at the jail and the hearings; they are trying to release her a few days earlier or later; but there is no way there will be any possibility of her getting anywhere and hiding. They have already reported her dying and cutting her hair; where she might live; etc etc; she will literally never be able to hide; unless they were to give her major cosmetic surgery in the jail; transport her with other prisoners who didnt know who she was (impossble) somewhere else; and its not gonna happen. Media is going on about 30 000 000 Canadians should be in fear of Homolka; I'd say this one woman has a lot to fear from 30 000 000 canadians. Vigilante justice with some unstable person trying to make a name for themselves is a serious threat.
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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 11:26:53 GMT -5
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Post by mikebook on Jun 3, 2005 11:27:25 GMT -5
What kind of gun control laws does Canada have?
US-- 3 day wait on handguns, with a criminal record check
Anytime with rifles and shotguns, with the criminal record check...
Over 18 for rifles and shotguns, 21 for handguns
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Post by homolka on Jun 3, 2005 11:30:02 GMT -5
Are you reading what I am writing ? NO I do not believe she has done her time (well; she has done the time they gave her; and thats the problem I guess; it can't be changed after the fact to correct the mistakes that they made that led to her getting such a short sentence.) I think she should have had a much longer sentence; if not LWOP (I mean; if people really prove that much behavior was coerced then perhap she could get 40 years or 50 instead of LWOP) but no; I do not think that 12 years is a long enough sentence for the crimes she was a part of. I thought I already made that clear. I think you missed the quote snippet. I quoted our American friend (I believe American?) and specifically replied to his post. Just to reitterate mikebooks post: "Does Canada have a similar system to the United States...I mean, once you are released, you have paid your debt to society and can go about your business? I do hope that is the case and some idiot does not wack her at the store or something... "
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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 11:32:32 GMT -5
oops; sorry - my mistake. I did read that wrong !
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Post by mikebook on Jun 3, 2005 11:32:46 GMT -5
I am from Florida but I live in Texas...Saw information about this case on A+E...
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Post by CCADP on Jun 3, 2005 11:33:02 GMT -5
and yup - Mike is American - a Texan - and a passionate death penalty supporter....!
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