Canadian female sex killer to leave prison

[ButterflyBlood]

JOLIETTE, Quebec (Reuters) -- Karla Homolka was a pretty, bright young woman who helped drug, rape, torture and kill schoolgirls and even presented her own teen-age sister to her boyfriend as a gift.

<...>

Homolka and her then-husband Paul Bernardo kidnapped, sexually assaulted, tortured and killed two teen-age girls in the early 1990s in southern Ontario.

She also drugged her 15-year-old sister so Bernardo could rape her in the basement of her family home after a Christmas dinner. The girl choked on her own vomit and died.

<...>

Some Canadians remain afraid of what Homolka might do. She is regarded as a master manipulator and even the fact that she obtained a psychology degree while in prison generates fear.

"I agree 150 percent with the restrictions because she is a danger to society and madly manipulative," said Francoise Watier, a Joliette resident who said she took part in the search for Kristen French in 1992 in southern Ontario.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/20/killer.release.reut/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

[Dora]

1. Why is this relevant to DU?

It's Canadian news. It's not political. I'm grossed out just by reading the snips.

Why is this here? :eyes:

[acmavm]

5. So, do posters now clear everything through you prior to putting it here

on this board? It's Canadian news? So what, we have a lot of Canadian posters.

Ever read any of the crime stories posted here that happen in this country? Do they gross you out?

I usually don't comment on posts like this but somehow this struck me as being amazingly snotty and snippy.

This was a BIG story during the trial and it's always newsworthy when psycopathic homicidal nutcases are set loose to walk the streets. And if you were familiar with the details of their murders you'd see how whacked out this is. She's being let loose after helping to kill three young girls. Just because it's Canada makes no difference.

[mzmolly]

9. Agreed. Canadians are welcome to participate here, and this story

is very interesting as you don't come across many women like Karla Homolka.

[ElectroPrincess]

23. WTF! The police regretted cutting a deal with her.

Hell no! She's IMO a PsychoPath - if the police would have done the investigation properly she'd be in prison for LIFE.

She's a sick and manipulative woman - she should be monitored!?!

[mzmolly]

32. I think you replied to the wrong person?

:)

[ElectroPrincess]

42. Oh, excuse please ; )

[Dora]

13. "snotty and snippy"

The problem with message boards and email is that frequently there are issues of "tone" that a reader infers and which the author never intended.

I simply expressed an opinion. I have nothing against Canada or Canadians: I frequently wish I were one, or at least enrolled in a lovely graduate program in Vancouver. My husband has dreams of Quebec. O Canadians - please understand I never meant to slight you.

I thought that the "news" that was posted was a horrible story, and reading the linked article only confirmed that for me. It's tragic for the families involved, and I think it's a shame and a travesty of justice that this woman has been released. She's a monster, and monsters are everywhere.

I think media attention to stories like this is not about news, but about gratuitous titillation. This sort of "news" clogs the DU forums and distracts from the real news that gives us relevant information we can learn from and respond to. "News" like this does nothing for us except give us something to gross-out over and feel bad about. The article is as relevant to DU as the Michael Jackson trial. (I'm not saying it has the same value, just the same irrelevance.)

[Bragi]

26. Canada Grants Pardon to Dora

Dora wrote:

"I simply expressed an opinion. I have nothing against Canada or Canadians: I frequently wish I were one, or at least enrolled in a lovely graduate program in Vancouver. My husband has dreams of Quebec. O Canadians - please understand I never meant to slight you."

I have consulted widely with my fellow Canadians, and I am now pleased to extend, on behalf of all Canadians, forgiveness to you.

:)

- O

[Dora]

44. Thank you, Canada.

:toast:

[Brundle_Fly]

30. I think anytime

a mad man/woman is released into the gerneal public anywhere it's cause for alarm.

Law and Order made an episode where they took this story and made it there own.

[gatlingforme]

50. Sounds like a good argument for censorship.

[Megahurtz]

19. Yeah, not cool. n/t

[ElectroPrincess]

24. Yeah, let's focus on Aruba next?

[Window]

40. I remember her story from a Court TV report.

I was truly blown away of the recounting of that crime. Thanks for posting...I had forgotten about her.

[MadisonProgressive]

49. It is also relevant to us in the US, because she is just over the

border and may show up in a neighborhood near you!

[mongo]

7. Are you implying something?

Spit it out.

[Dora]

11. Nope. No implications. eom

[mongo]

14. Hmmm....

I just find it interesting that you would bash this story when so many others that fit your criteria are posted to LBN every day.

[Dora]

15. You're so thoughtful.

Hmmmm...

Please see my response above: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1567703&mesg_id=1568344

[onehandle]

10. I agree with you.

Those focusing on your Canadian comment don't get the main points.

This isn't about Politics or policy.
This isn't particularly big news.

And yes, it's not even about something in the U.S.

I can find news around the world all day long that has nothing to do with Democratic issues and politics in general. Shall I start posting stories about crop circles in China? Mass murderers in Poland? Cattle sales in Norway? Dog Catcher elections in South Africa?

[mongo]

12. Since you are the post police,

I expect you will be making the same comment in these threads (all from the first page of LBN):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1565870&mesg_id=1565870

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1567497&mesg_id=1567497

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1567737

Or is it something in the story itself that offends you?

[onehandle]

22. Post police. That's me.

Post one: Topical and Political. Ok for LBN.

Post two: Off topic. Not LBN.

Post three: Topical and Political. Ok for LBN.

[Dora]

16. Phew.

I'm glad to see that someone else is capable of reading between the lines of my post and seeing that there's nothing there.

[Megahurtz]

20. Jeez! n/t

[SweetLeftFoot]

35. Perhaps

she'll move to the States, maybe your street.

I think you'd find it really relevant then.

To all the Canadians posters here - from an Aussie to my northern brothers - isn't even annoying when even the good Americans have to act like this?

[Dora]

43. Perhaps she's my cousin

and perhaps she'll move in with me and we'll plot how to kill again. WHATEVER.

Please see my "snotty and snippy" post above.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

37. THEN DO NOT FUCKING READ ANY MORE!!!!

I can understand that delicate sensibilities can be offended by such a story, but what about the various idiotic threads that are posted all day and all night - threads about soup, what to have for lunch, does this look infected, and should bluenoses have censorship power over threads?

I found the Homolka/Teal story absolutely fascinating and even helped with a Law and Order script based on that story a few years back. It was one of their highest-rated shows ever, but that's not really relevant, is it?

One of the things I absolutely adore about DU is there is such a gorgeous kind of freedom to post things that people find interesting. I'm not always as enraptured of them as the posters might be, but that's simply a matter of taste.

If I were to call people out for the substance of what they post, I would then have become the kind of person I really never want to be.

So, save yourself from further grossing out or upset. Read something you find more relevant, and leave us ghouls to the stuff we do enjoy.

[Dora]

41. I appreciate your opinion

I'd like to suggest, however, that your use of caps and profanity is better saved for when I attack you in a like manner.

in other words

WHERE THE FUCK DO YOU GET OFF YELLING AT ME LIKE THAT, OLDLEFTIELAWYER? AND IN A POST TITLE TOO? THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF A PUBLIC DRESSING DOWN. MAYBE YOU THINK I CAN'T GET THIS KIND OF TREATMENT ANYWHERE ELSE IN MY LIFE!!! MAYBE YOU THINK I COME TO LBN BECAUSE I'M A MASOCHIST!!! OR, MAYBE YOU LIKE TO READ A WHOLE BUNCH OF THREADS THAT TWIST A CURLY HAIR UP YOUR ARSE AND YOU DECIDE TO TAKE IT OUT ON MY INNOCENT POST, WHICH IS A WHOPPING WORK-DAY OLD BY THE TIME YOU CAME TO IT!!! BACK THE FUCK OFF, MR. CRANKYPANTS!!!!!!

I had an opinion, and I expressed it. Grotesqueries like this belong in the Lounge, and so do all the other tripe you complain about (and I think they do in fact appear in the Lounge most of the time). The Lounge is great, I love the Lounge, BUT I BLOCK THE LOUNGE TITLES FROM THE LATEST PAGE IN MY PREFERENCES so that I don't have to be distracted by the inanity and sophomoric hijinks always happening there. Unfortunately, there is no such filter in LBN.

Oh, and BTW: I didn't "call people out" for what they posted. I expressed an opinion regarding the relevance of the particular post to LBN.

It's STAR material, or WEEKLY WORLD NEWS, or NATIONAL ENQUIRER. It is not Latest Breaking News.

(added on edit: annoying and unnecessary exclamation points!!!!!!)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

47. there's nothing worse than derivative

except maybe a sexist who assumes all lawyers are male.

Or, pehaps, someone who thinks it is within their purview to decide what is or isn't Latest Breaking News.

Oh, dear. Did I use too many caps?

I love that - "Mr. Crankypants."

Sexist. Shame on you.

[iamjoy]

2. She Sounds Like A Sicko

but not unlike Hannibel Lechter, in that she is very clever.

[rocktivity]

3. If your fiance tells you he has the hots for your sister

it's the FIANCE who ought to be disposed of.

I'm still furious that they upheld her plea bargain after they found the video that proved she'd been a equal contributor to her sister's death--a sister she'd always been jealous of. Her battered woman syndrome was a crock because she lived at home while dating Bernado, and she would show her sex toys to her friends and brag of their exploits.

I would have told her, "You've lied to us from the start, we can prove it, the deal's off, you're both going down for murder, see you in twenty years--if you're lucky!" On the other hand, if Bernardo hadn't told the cops where the video was, it probably wouldn't have been discovered UNTIL their house was torn down!

:headbang:
rocknation

[pie]

4. Life in prison - no chance of parole

She should never walk free again

[mzmolly]

6. I agree.

She's a sick and dangerous woman. There is a movie coming out in the fall, not sure how she'll be portrayed.

[FourStarDemocrat]

17. She should have had life in prison.

I read the details of their crimes back in the '90's and I still remember them till this day. Some of the sickest crimes i've heard about... The woman is a psychopath and society should have been protected from her for the rest of her life. It's a travesty that she did not get life in prison along with her boyfriend.

[bicentennial_baby]

8. She shouldn't be let out

That woman is a monster...

[MrPrax]

18. It's a big issue in Canada...

I am surprised CNN is reporting on it at this late date...her parole hearing was nearly three weeks ago; ergo the quote "I agree 150 percent with the restrictions"

Of course, the interesting part in the Homolka case is the sentence was very light, given the gravity of the crime--it was a plea bargain for her testimony against her husband. That really outraged people in Canada

The other interesting thing is that the two videotaped most of the killings, but these tapes only came to light, after her plea bargain agreement and they apparantly reveal her to be more than just 'a battered victim' of her husband--which was the defense claim. She was a willing participant...

OH the other other interesting thing and which might explain why CNN is promoting the story is that an America movie is coming out about the whole thing, much to the objections of the victims' and their families to coincide with her release!!!!

Some of the victim's families tried to have an injunction against the movie...I guess they really can't understand why US culture is so fucking sick and disturbed

http://www.deadlythemovie.com/

[depakid]

28. You always have to question CNN's agenda

Why would they bother reporting this particular story 3 weeks late?

[Dora]

48. Wow, your response to this

Your response to this just made this whole thread worthwhile. Thank you for redeeming it.

Boy, and I thought it was sick story before.

I am counting my blessings that there's no television in my house.

[smirkymonkey]

21. She really is EVIL looking - check out her eyes.

Scary.

[ElectroPrincess]

25. Self-Delete: BTW you got that right! <shiver>

[Up2Late]

27. She got those "Dead eyes," kind of like the 1000 yard stare.

If she comes into the U.S. and Kills someone, we really need to raise some Hell about Poor Border procedures.

[ElectroPrincess]

45. No, what we refer to as "a thousand yard stare" is much more

benign ... an absence of full mental "here and now" thought processing ... perhaps, a checking-out of reality ---> but not necessarily an intimidating quality to that look.

On the contrary, her eyes have that something? ... Oh, let's term it that Charles Manson like "Helter-Skelter" glitter to them? <eg>

[Canuckistanian]

29. Watch out for her

She's got a genius IQ rating (learned fluent French and got a degree while in prison)

She's drawn to violent men.

She shows no remorse or even a comprehension that she did anything wrong. (Blames it all on Bernardo, her husband)

[Say_What]

31. Coming to a neighborhood near you...

Why the f*ck should this Douchbag be released?? She outta be doing life along with that POS she married.

[MrSlayer]

33. Why is this "person" even alive, let alone getting out?

Absolutely ridiculous. She should have been executed a long time ago. Hopefully someone in a victim's family will catch up to this scumbag. This is not justice.

[Canadian Socialist]

34. There is no capital punishment in Canada

and thank god for that. The plea bargain was a legal document that the Crown could not get out of, even though after the fact, the truth (from the videos) came out. Yes, there is outrage in Canada about Homolka's sentence; but her release has many many conditions put on it. She served her entire term of imprisonment.

[depakid]

36. Don't expect to try to explain this to most Americans

They tend to react viscerally and don't think about things like law and and the importance of following established procedure. Looking at the big picture isn't one of their strengths, to say the least.

This is one reason why Americans are so easily manipulated by the media.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

38. Without her testimony,

they'd never have been able to nail him. Her testimony was crucial, and she was smart enough to cut a deal before ratting him out.

She's served her time, held up her end of the deal, and now she gets out. That's the way it works, like it or not. I think it should be interesting to see what happens next with her.

Imagine how her parents feel. Talk about living a nightmare ..........

[rocktivity]

39. If the video had been found AFTER the trial, I 'd agree with you

but since the video made it clear that Carla lied about her role in her sister's death, her testimony should have been worthless, and the plea deal, too. If she thought nothing of helping set up the rape and death of HER OWN SISTER and lying about it, why should anyone believe that she WOULDN'T help her husband rape and murder two perfect strangers?

The Crown gave Carla a "get out of life imprisonment free" card rather than admit that she'd played them like a grand piano. The Crown should have been willing to risk embarassment in order to render the correct justice.

:headbang:
rocknation

[ElectroPrincess]

46. I don't think we need worry. The parents and relatives of ...

the young girls and women that she and her hubby viciously murdered will be tracking her for us. I think that she has more to worry about from them, than we have to worry about her coming into our town.