Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Karla Homolka seeks a pardon? I doubt it!

The radio says Karla Homolka is seeking a pardon.

I'm not so sure -- she has, apparently, changed her name and become a Dutch citizen. A pardon would do her very little benefit and would force her to disclose her current location, name and the like. More to the point, she would be most unlikely to get a pardon.

My guess is that the Homolka pardon is being suggested by those who want to tighten parole restrictions.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

"My guess is that the Homolka pardon is being suggested by those who want to tighten parole restrictions."

Having never worked a real job,poor Morton is only left to a "guess".

Poor Morton.

BlastFurnace said...

Hmm ... a Dutch citizen. Which means she is also a citizen of the EU and therefore has the right of abode anywhere in the 27 nation bloc. I'm sure that if she ever decides to settle in France, Belgium or Luxembourg (since she's apparently quite fluent in French) that will really ruffle some feathers; especially in Belgium where the name Marc Dutroux still causes people to shudder more than a decade and a half after his Bernardo-like rampage.

Anonymous said...

Why would she even want one?

It just seems that some people are angry and would like more "vengeance"...

If rumours are correct, she is not even in Canada, so what's the point of a parole....

Fish said...

Exactly how would she get a VISA to travel to Holland with a criminal record? For manslaughter no less!

Anonymous said...

If this country gives Homolka a pardon, we as a country are nothing but carzy and stupid.

James C Morton said...

Anonymous, ouch! In fact, I have worked many different jobs over the years but it's not my resume that I'm blogging... .

Ronn Jefferies LL.B said...

She was convicted of an Indictable Offence in Canada. I can't think of a "Western" Country that would grant citizenship to anyone with her criminal record. However, you don't need a Visa to visit Holland.

Also, she is just 'eligible' to apply for a Pardon. It is not automatic.....a Board decides (and they want to keep their jobs).

James C Morton said...

Apparently she marries a Dutch citizen, took his name and ultimately his citizenship. This information is very hearsay but I have heard it from a number of sources. Certainly she is no longer in Canada.

Stephen Downes said...

I get the impression that she is eligible to apply for a pardon, and hence the news media are making sound as tho8igh she has applied for a pardon.

The news media, it seems, never gets tired of whipping people into a frenzy over nothing, especially when there are actual stories (like $1.2 billion conferences) they want to distract people from.

Dave said...

I highly doubt she would ever apply for a pardon. Too much to lose and WAY too much publicity.

As for her possessing Dutch citizenship, I have very strong doubts. The Dutch nationality laws are actually quite stringent and even a marriage or registered partnership doesn't gain one citizenship for at least 3 years. (I am Nederlandse by "option")

Given the reports of when and with whom she departed Canada for the Caribbean, she would not have had enough time to qualify for citizenship under the quickest method (option as opposed naturalization).

I believe her location has been misread by many. She was spotted in the Antilles, which people assumed to be the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. The Antilles, however, comprise a much greater area.

My bet is Guadeloupe, (a thought shared by others). Still a Canadian citizen. Trying hard to stay out of the glare of the lights.

Skinny Dipper said...

I wonder what un-real job Anonymous has. 7-up bottle cap screwer?

Skinny Dipper said...

My guess is that even under the tighter pardon requirements (or whatever it's called) Homolka could be eligible to receive a pardon. Yes, her crime was horrific. However, she was convicted of manslaughter. If others who were convicted of manslaughter received pardons, then I would guess that a pardon board would consider Homolka's bid under similar circumstances.

Homolka has not been convicted of any recent crimes. She is able to hold down a job if she is not spotted by the public. I haven't heard of her being involved with drugs. Technically, even if she had to persuade a board to grant her a pardon, Homolka would have a firm case to convince a pardon board to grant her one--even under a new law.

Anonymous said...

Good on you for pointing out the obvious. All Stephen Harper had to do is whisper the word "Karla" and the whole of the press gallery, the publishing industry and all of our MPs quickly lose their minds in a knee-jerk fashion.

Harper has had three years to table this legislation. Rushing on account of a rumour that Homolka "might" apply for one is enough to queue the lynch mob.

Yo Ma Ma said...

The law and "justice" are not the same thing, especially with respect to cases involving great public outcry.

as far as the law is concerned, ms. Homolka is most likely eligible for a pardon. The whole idea of suddenly trying to change the law on the fly in order to somehow create "justice" seems highly suspect - this is far from due process, and quite frankly looks a lot more like politicians trying to look good by pandering to public opinion.