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CAVEAT BC News Conference - August 12, 1996. RE: Clifford Olson's eligibility
to apply for a section 745 judicial review.
Vancouver Police Headquarters, British Columbia
The following are excerpts from a speech by Merv Duggan and Lillian Fuller
of CAVEAT BC:
With me here today is retired RCMP Superintendent Bruce Northrop, the
office who headed up the Clifford Olson investigation, Mr. Ray King, whose
son was murdered by Olson, and Lillian Fuller of CAVEAT BC. Across Canada
today, CAVEAT is informing Canadians of Section 745 of the Criminal Code
and demanding its full repeal. Introduced in 1976 when capital punishment
was eliminated, Section 745 produced a loophole that allows convicted killers
to apply for a reduction in the number of years of incarceration. In effect
the murderer is asking for a reduction of the original sentence.
On Vancouver Island, on August 12, 1981, fifteen years ago, Clifford Olson
was arrested. He was convicted of 11 counts of murder. Today he is eligible
to apply for a judicial review for a reduction in his eligibility for parole.
This man and others like him are being offered a chance to return to our
communities to live amongst us. We are ordinary Canadians and we are deeply
concerned and outraged that our loved ones are once again at risk of falling
prey to convicted murderers. Section 745 makes no sense, it makes a mockery
out of the perception of justice. Life should mean life. There are over
600 convicted murderers who will be eligible to apply for a review under
Section 745. In over 70% of cases heard, the original sentence for the
crime of murder has been reduced. This must stop. We must ensure that our
homes and our streets are safe. These judicial reviews put the families
of victims through living hell. All too often we forget the victims.
Today let us remember...
Sigrun Charlotte Arnd murdered at age 18
Terry Lyn Carson murdered at age 15
Louise Chartrand murdered at age 17
Ada Court murdered at age 14
Colleen Daignault murdered at age 13
Daryn Johnsrude murdered at age 16
Raymond King murdered at age 15
Judy Kozma murdered at age 14
Simon Partington murdered at age 9
Christine Weller murdered at age 12
Sandra Wolfsteiner murdered at age 16
Let us remember these victims and never forget the man who was responsible
for their fate.
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