Paul Bernado, the perpetrator of one of the most disturbing murders in modern Canadian history, is scheduled to appear before a parole board later this month.
Bernardo is serving a life sentence for the violent kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of teenagers Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffey in the early 1990s. He has been designated a dangerous offender and is unlikely to be released from prison.
He was also found guilty of manslaughter for his role in the death of Tammy Homolka, 15, the sister of his then-wife Carla Homolka. He also admitted sexually assaulting another woman.
His next parole hearing is scheduled for November 26th.
During her final appearance before the parole board, Bernardo was told that her “understanding and insight remain limited.”
“It was clear today that you continue to exhibit behaviors that are counterproductive to the development of your insight,” Maureen Gauci, one of your parole hearing officers, said in 2021.
“You have not shown that the risk of crime can be managed within the community.”
Victims’ families say they should not be able to apply for release frequently because they would have to relive Bernardo’s horrific crimes.
At his 2021 parole hearing, French’s family described Bernardo as an “evil dark cloud” that continues to hang over their family.
Bernardo’s controversial transfer to Quebec’s medium-security prison last year sparked outrage and calls for changes in the way dangerous criminals are treated.
After an investigation, the Correctional Service of Canada concluded that all appropriate procedures were followed, but acknowledged that the victim’s family should have been provided with better information.
