Paul's trial didn't take place for two years because he had placed his lawyer, Ken Murray, in an unethical position. Paul had given him the videotapes that he and Karla had made of their sexual escapades. After Ken Murray was removed from the case, he turned the videotapes over to police. On September 1, 1995, Paul was convicted on all counts. He was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for twenty-five years. Karla was sent to jail to serve her twelve-year term. Paul's appeal was set for 2000. Last year, the appeal was denied. Karla was eligible for parole in 2001.
On March 8, 2001, Karla went before the National Parole Board after undergoing psychiatric evaluation. The findings were exactly the opposite of what was found when she was first arrested. Experts testified that they believed Karla was a psychopath. She has shown no remorse for any of the crimes, including the death of her sister, Tammy. She still portrays herself as a victim.
The National Parole Board denied Karla's application for parole. They ruled as follows: "The board believes that, if released, you are likely to commit an offence causing the death of, or serious harm to, another person before the expiration of the sentence you are now serving."
Though Karla will remain in prison for the duration of her sentence, I am not sure that this is sufficient to protect society from a person with psychopathic tendencies. If Karla was released now, she could have been put on parole and kept under surveillance. Her every move could have been monitored. In 2005, when she has served her full sentence, she will be released without being eased back into society. Under Canadian law, she cannot be kept in prison indefinitely. A psychopath will once again be free to murder, torture and rape.
What will it take for Canadians to wake up? Canada's laws need to be changed. Victims have no rights while perpetrators have all the rights. In my opinion, when Karla lied about her part in the school girl slayings, her plea-bargain should have been revoked. How many more victims will she claim before she is classed as a "habitual killer" or a "dangerous offender," which means she would remain in prison indefinitely.
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