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㽶ƵֱSenseless and brutal㽶Ƶֱ: families make plea that Bernado be kept behind bars

Notorious killer up for parole, has been denied twice in the past
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La Macaza Institution, a medium security correctional facility is seen in La Macaza, Que., Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. Notorious killer and serial rapist Paul Bernardo is scheduled to appear before the Parole Board of Canada today for a hearing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Family members of two teenage girls who were tortured and murdered by Paul Bernardo are asking the Parole Board of Canada to keep the notorious killer behind bars in their emotional victim impact statements.

A parole hearing is underway for Bernardo, who is serving an indeterminate life sentence for the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of 15-year-old Kristen French and 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy in the early 1990s near St. Catharines, Ont.

Victim impact statements delivered so far include those from Kristen㽶Ƶֱs mother Donna French, who spoke of the 㽶Ƶֱsenseless and brutal㽶Ƶֱ loss her family endured, and from Leslie㽶Ƶֱs brother Ryan Mahaffy, who was a young child when his sister was murdered.

Bernardo, who was denied parole twice in the past, was also convicted of manslaughter in the December 1990 death of his then-wife Karla Homolka㽶Ƶֱs 15-year-old sister, Tammy.

Tim Danson, a lawyer representing the French and Mahaffy families, said the parole board initially denied his clients the right to deliver their victim impact statements in person at the hearing.

After the board reversed its decision, Danson said the lack of time to make appropriate travel arrangements meant only Leslie Mahaffy㽶Ƶֱs mother could be present, while others are delivering their statements remotely.

Bernardo㽶Ƶֱs parole hearing is taking place at the medium-security La Macaza Institution in Quebec, after his transfer there from a maximum-security Ontario prison caused public outcry last year.





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