Tim Danson, the lawyer representing the victims' families, expressed frustration over the Parole Board of Canada's policies, stating 'the families have the right to confront their daughters' killer in person.' He emphasized that the current legal framework forces victims' families to relive trauma every few years, advocating for legislative changes to ensure that such hearings are minimized in frequency.
Bernardo's heinous crimes, including the kidnapping and sexual assault of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, have branded him a dangerous offender, rendering the discussions around his potential release a politically charged and sensitive issue. The families feel a deep injustice as they navigate the parole process which, according to Danson, should not be repetitive and traumatizing.
Debbie Mahaffy will attend the hearing, representing the families, while Kristen French's mother has opted for a virtual presence due to the short notice provided by the Parole Board of Canada. Danson lamented this arrangement, stating that 'the last-minute change in position' created barriers that prevented Donna French from attending in person.
Despite Bernardo already being denied full and day parole on two occasions in recent years, the prospect of repeated hearings places a lingering burden on the families, compelling them to revisit their loss. Danson contends that victims shouldn't have to bear this weight repeatedly and should not be subjected to the parole board process at such intervals.
Collection
[
|
...
]