Canadian prisoner/Paul Bernardo

[lostcauser]

My name is Audree Flynn. I'm in Memphis, TN; my background is in A&D,
domestic violence, and sex offender counseling. Currently I am working
on a degree in forensic psychology. I am writing a book about a famous case and the ridiculously disparate sentences its perpetrators drew.I hope you can help me. I am writing to you about a prisoner in Ontario, Canada: Mr. Paul Bernardo. Mr. Bernardo is currently an inmate at Kingston Prison.

Paul Bernardo and his ex-wife, Karla Homolka, were the perpetrators of
brutal sex crimes and two homicides; they unintentionally killed
Homolka's sister while both were in the process of raping her. Two
other young women would die before they were caught.

It is a famous and horrific case; of course you're familiar with it. But
while Homolka only drew a 12-year sentence for manslaughter, Mr.
Bernardo was charged with and found guilty of, all the other crimes
they were both equally guilty of (and a few the Crown tacked on for
good measure). Ms. Homolka, having portrayed herself as Bernardo's
"compliant victim", is now free, after participating in the rape and
murder of three women, including her own sister. Mr. Bernardo
consistently maintains Homolka was the actual killer, and I have
reason to believe him; this is based on months of research into this
case. I can submit that information at a later time.

I understand Mr. Bernardo is serving an indeterminate sentence, as Canadian law only
allows one life sentence of 25 years to be served. However, so
politicized and sensationalized was this case, that not only was it
impossible for this man to get a fair trial; labeling an inmate as a "dangerous offender" allows him to be held for as long as anyone wishes him to be after the 25 year sentence is up. Given how high emotions ran, and still
run, in this case, it is almost a foregone conclusion this man will
live in total isolation in an 8x4 cell for the rest of his natural
life. He has one hour a day for exercise, and is permitted showers
twice a week. He has no access to sex offender counseling or treatment, nor educational benefit. He is not allowed interviews, or any visits with any media personnel; the only contacts he has are with his mother and his lawyer.

In the meantime, his ex-wife continues to be the subject of much
public fascination; there are books, websites, 24/7 online discussion
groups, even a movie was made about her; everything portraying her as
a helpless "battered woman"--there is only a single incident that even
suggests this. After eagerly and equally participating in the rape and
murder of three teenage girls, she is free and has a child. Paul
Bernardo is a 6"tall man in an 8x4 cell who will "live" until he dies
in his totally isolated wing of Kingston Prison; he is allowed few
contacts, and is offered no educational or treatment programs of any
kind. To put it bluntly, they're going to let him rot in that cell
'til he dies.
His case will not be re-heard; he has no more appeals.

I know that mostly people write with death penalty issues; but isn't
this just as bad, and just as wrong? Forget that Bernardo never stood
a chance at trial; he stands no chance now. After 25 years, his
sentence will be "reviewed" periodically, but that is a moot point.
The same political forces which heightened the hysteria around this
case will ensure this man never has reason to even think of freedom.
He is not even offered the therapy any other sex offender having
committed his crimes would be offered.

As a rape survivor, I have every personal reason not to speak in any way on behalf of this man. But I find the unbalance in his sentence and his ex-wife's abhorrent.
I am not advocating his release; his crimes were brutal. But he has
been vilified beyond all reason, while his partner in crime is
indulged. How is this justice?

The issues that went into the adjudication of this case are varied and
complex. But I have all the information on the investigation and on
Bernardo's trial ready to share and I'm hoping to find someone who
will listen. Everyone seems to have their mind made up on this; but
too many people had too much to gain or lose for Mr. Bernardo's fate to have turned out differently than it has. Probably nothing can be done about this particular situation; but it is my hope that by
bringing it to light it will not have to be repeated.

I know what this man did; I've worked as a domestic violence counselor for a number of years. I've worked with sex offenders; I am a rape survivor. I thoroughly understand what he's guilty of. As a rape survivor, I'm also thoroughly aware of violation when I see it. This man is clearly being violated by an entire legal system. I hope you can help me, with who I should contact, what action can be taken, referrals; any assistance you can give me will be most appreciated. You can contact me at:

[e-mail]

or at

[e-mail]

My home number is *edit* Thank you so much,

Audree Flynn

[pumpkinpie]

I modified your post because you posted your home phone number on here! Do you actually think that is a smart idea? Not exactly a safe idea to be posting your phone number on public websites.

What are you needing help with? From what I'm hearing about this case, I disagree with you. You don't think this man should receive a life sentence for raping and murdering? You call this murder an accidental killing, and blame it more on his ex wife. Unbelievable! He deserves to be in prison!
You claim to be a victim of rape, but you want to let a rapist go free to rape again?

If you can, please post some links about this case.

[lostcauser]

An excellent (albeit emotive) overview of this case, its adjudication and the injustice it contains can be found at:

www.justicejunction.com/judicial_injustice_the_evil_within.htm


When I started researching this case for my thesis, I felt the same way. Then I read about the investigation of the case as reported by a FBI profiler who introduced the 'compliant victim" dynamic to the RCMP, as a way of explaining Karla Homolka's behavior. (see "When Good Men Do Nothing", and "The Making of Karla-the Victim" at [e-mail]). It may have been necessary to view Ms. Homolka as a victim prior to the discovery of the videotapes, to ensure a conviction against Mr. Bernardo. That is understandable; that her immunity was still granted after the discovery of those tapes is incomprehensible.

I did not mean to imply that any of their crimes were "accidental", and I don't believe I stated that. The death of Karla Homolka's sister during the commission of the rape was unintentional. They are clearly both still responsible for it; only one person is actually paying the penalty, and it is not Karla Homolka.

I am not arguing with Mr. Bernardo's life sentence; I also believe I stated in the beginning of that post it was the disparity in their sentencing I took issue with. I drew attention to Mr. Bernardo's current incarceration circumstances as counterpoint to Ms. Homolka's freedom.

I don't believe I stated anywhere that Mr. Bernardo ought to ever be free; again, it is the disparity of their sentences, the flawed investigation and adjudication of this case that is the problem. The "compliant victim" theory which allowed Ms. Homolka her relatively light sentence in contrast to her ex-husband's was literally given by the FBI to the RCMP with a telephone call; Ms. Homolka was not interviewed by the authors of the the compliant victim theory or the RCMP profiler who supplied it to the Green Ribbon Task Force until a year after Paul Bernardo's trial was over. It seems an improper basis to rest the greater conviction of Bernardo and the lesser conviction of Homolka on an assumption made over the telephone; especially when videotape evidence at Bernardo's trial contradicts it.

I did not "claim" to be a victim of rape. I stated I was a rape survivor. I was sexually assaulted in 1982, when I was 18. As a survivor, I would not want to see my attacker villianized beyond all human proportions; I would not want to give him that power or control. That Mr. Bernardo is regarded as just short of a Hannibal Lecter gives him more power than he is entitled to. He is nether worthy nor deserving of it. And to imprison him as he is, and let his ex-wife, who is at least as guilty as he is, only serve 12 years and walk free is not justice. A woman who rapes other women, including her own sister, deserves the same fate as her partner. Underestimating Homolka's calculating nature largely created this disaster in the first place. We probably would never have heard of Paul Bernardo, if not for Karla Homolka. Mr. Bernardo would probably have been another one of many brutal rapists sitting discontentedly in a prison sex offender treatment program, but for Homolka, and the ensuing sensationalization and politicization of this case. It would be something closer to justice than what we have now if he were.

As a survivor, I am disgusted by Mr. Bernardo's actions. In that same vein, I am far more disgusted by the thought of the woman who was collusive and an active partner with a man she knew to be a rapist. He deserves to be in prison, yes; he should also have company.

[pumpkinpie]

Thanks for posting the link. My stomach is slightly nauseous from reading a couple of those stories.
Anyway, I agree with the sentencing. Paul Bernardo is a psychopath, he received the appropriate sentence. Karla receiving a 12 year sentence was appropriate. She was clearly messed up from Bernardo. But she's no rapist or threat to society today. As long as she's out of his grasp, she'll probably be fine. She needs professional help, and yes she should have had a reasonable, rational mind and put her family-(sister) and the victims her husband was raping and torturing first in her mind and protected them, left her warped husband, and turned him in. But his love meant everything, and I mean everything, including all her self worth, and all the self worth of others. She herself was under his web of control... she was acting to please this pervert of a husband of hers, acting on what made him feel erotic, and she wanted to be part of it for him. Now that is a woman in need of massive professional help. I think the 12 year sentence for her was appropriate.

[happyhaddock]

lostcauser said:

... As a survivor, I am disgusted by Mr. Bernardo's actions. In that same vein, I am far more disgusted by the thought of the woman who was collusive and an active partner with a man she knew to be a rapist. He deserves to be in prison, yes; he should also have company.

It may well be that Homolka is the more guilty of the pair. However the police screwed the case up and there is no way to fix it now. Certainly you will find little sympathy for the notion of reducing Bernardo's sentence because of this - or for any other reason.

[andie]

Karla suggested to kill them, but Paul actually did it. One girl got away. The only reason why Karla isn't still in prison is because she made a deal...but I think she is just as guilty. And she has a kid now.

Either way Paul is never getting out of prison. As for Karla if she ever shows her face in the St. Catherines area...I have a funny feeling she won't last long.

But she is banned from here anyway. Also the house they lived in is still for sale. No one will move in

[poseidon]

Yes , I remember reading about her "deal with the devil" and I became[ pissed as hell . In a weekly subject of discussion on the Talk CSI forum some years ago, people were discussing the death penalty:pro or con. I seriously think that the Canadian system of "convenient justice" needs to be revamped, if not to be remade totally. Why is she allowed to walk around, under another name, while her hubby is imprisoned for life???

[andie]

Because the police screwed up the investigation and couldn't convict him without karla's help. Face it she's not stupid. Paul only wanted to rape the girls ( ) but karla told him to kill them..and they tape it. Those tapes if found under a warrent without help would have gotten them both life sentences. But because karla was willing to testify against paul and provide crucial evidence she gets to walk..in Montreal.

poseidon said:

Yes , I remember reading about her "deal with the devil" and I became[ pissed as hell . In a weekly subject of discussion on the Talk CSI forum some years ago, people were discussing the death penalty:pro or con. I seriously think that the Canadian system of "convenient justice" needs to be revamped, if not to be remade totally. Why is she allowed to walk around, other under another name, while her hubby is imprisoned for life???

[poseidon]

:(Another reason why I'm want to see Karla imprisoned is because I have a computer friend named Karen (thekay) who lives in Burnaby, Vancouver. She's a teacher by profession and I'm afraid of what might transpire with Karla being free and living under under name!

[poseidon]

Has Karla moved to the States yet?

[andie]

Oh btw he is only allowed one hour out because the other prisoners tried to kill him..

lostcauser said:

My name is Audree Flynn. .... Thank you so much,

Audree Flynn

[happyhaddock]

poseidon said:

Has Karla moved to the States yet?

ISTR that she is living in the Caribbean - some government there let her stay.

[biglinmarshall]

The fact is that both these two individuals committed a brutal and senseless murder as well as rapes.

Karla Homolka even offered up her own sister as a victim.

It's cases like these that make me believe in the death penalty, to be honest.

Incidentally, if you're interested my Dad's best friend is a published, prizewinning author with five books behind him. He'd probably be interested in collaborating with you on any book you might be considering.

[happyhaddock]

It is cases like this - and many others - that make me want a much better trained police force, one which doesn't have to do deals to cover up for their failures. And in the USA, they are much, much worse.