Parole board open to allowing victims’ families to confront Paul Bernardo at parole hearing
The Parole Board of Canada has decided to reverse its initial decision and make accommodations for the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, two teenagers who were brutally murdered by Paul Bernardo. The families will now have the opportunity to confront their daughters’ killer in person at his upcoming parole hearing next week.
The decision to allow the families to deliver their victim impact statements in person comes after a public outcry following the revelation that the victims’ mothers had been blocked from doing so. Tim Danson, the families’ lawyer, expressed his dismay at the initial decision, stating that it had caused emotional turmoil for the families.
Bernardo, who kidnapped, tortured, and killed French and Mahaffy, is currently serving a life sentence at La Macaza Institution in Quebec. The families were previously able to deliver their statements in person when Bernardo was held at a maximum-security facility in 2018. However, the parole board cited safety concerns as the reason for not allowing them to do so this time.
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for the parole board stated that they are working to accommodate the families for the in-person presentation of their statements. The board did not provide further details on the safety concerns mentioned earlier to Danson.
The federal government has maintained that the parole board is independent, but MPs have spoken out against the decision. Defence Minister Bill Blair and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both expressed their support for the families’ right to confront Bernardo in person.
The families’ lawyer, Danson, has argued for changes to the laws so that victims do not have to go through the parole board process repeatedly. He emphasized the importance of the families being able to confront their daughters’ killer in person, rather than through a computer screen.
The decision to allow the families to deliver their statements in person has been welcomed by many, including Liberal MP Chris Bittle and Conservative MP Frank Caputo. The matter was also raised in the Senate, with Conservative Sen. Don Plett calling the murders of French and Mahaffy “one of the most horrific crimes that our country has ever known.”
Despite the parole board’s initial decision, the government of Canada has expressed its disagreement with the ruling. The families of French and Mahaffy will now have the opportunity to face Paul Bernardo and deliver their victim impact statements in person, ensuring that their voices are heard in the pursuit of justice for their daughters.
