Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
CTV
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
In an open letter, lawyer Tim Danson said the parole board recently told the families that they would not be allowed to attend next week’s hearing in person, indicating that the parole board is “unable to ensure safety and security of all hearing attendees.”
“We have not been provided with any further details. Respectfully, this is not only unacceptable, but also remarkably insensitive to the Mahaffy and French families,” Danson wrote.
“Absent exceptional circumstances, the families have a statutory right to read their Victim Impact Statements in person.”
Speaking to Newstalk 1010 on Wednesday morning, Danson said the families have a strong desire to deliver their statements in person.
“They themselves want to be physically present… and make their daughter’s memory and presence there as strongly as possible,” Danson said.
“They are giving victim impact statements, they are talking about the impact that this horrific crime has had on them and their daughters. You can’t get more personal and human than that and so they want to convey how they feel in the most direct and human way possible, which is being physically present.”
