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News Release - Sept. 1, 1995. RE: the Bernardo verdict September 1, 1995, Burlington, Ontario - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - CAVEAT is relieved that Paul Bernardo has been found guilty of first degree murder, however, many serious issues have been raised due to the Bernardo Trial. The sentence given - 'Life with no parole for 25 years' - is deceiving to the public. The truth is, that because of Section 745 of the Criminal Code, Paul Bernardo will be eligible for a judicial review to apply for parole after serving only 15 years (12 years from now). The first recommendation from the Parole Committee of SafetyNet '94 was the 'Repeal of Section 745 of the Criminal Code.' In December 1994, Bill C226 (which will repeal Section 745) was sent to the Justice Committee. Nothing has been done so far. Recommendations 7, 8 and 9 from the Parole Committee addressed the problem of CONCURRENT VS. CONSECUTIVE SENTENCING. OLSON: Murdered 11 children = 11 Life Sentences CONCURRENT = 1 Life Sentence BERNARDO: Murdered 2 children = 2 Life Sentences CONCURRENT = 1 Life Sentence FROM OLSON TO BERNARDO, what has been done? Olson will be eligible for 745 next year. This year's CAVEAT SafetyNet Conference is focusing on THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN. Justice reform advocates from across Canada will, this time, be looking at many issues to safeguard our youth and will include concerns which arose from the Bernardo trial such as: The dangers and repercussions of PLEA BARGAINING, and Protecting our children from media intrusion of these real-life horrific details. -30- |
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