Canadian Defendant Admits To 14 Other Rapes

One of Canada’s most sensational murder cases reached an emotional end Friday after Paul Bernardo, already convicted of the sex killings of two teenagers, admitted he raped 14 other women and helped kill his 15-year-old sister-in-law.

As the rape victims and families of the slain girls looked on, Justice Patrick LeSage declared Bernardo a “dangerous offender” who is unlikely to be rehabilitated.

“You have no right ever to be released,” LeSage said in a bluntly worded ruling.

As Bernardo was led from the courtroom, one of the rape victims shouted: “Remember, Paul, we did this to you this time. We won the war.”

“Rot in hell,” yelled another.

Bernardo, a 33-year-old former bookkeeper, was convicted Sept. 1 of murdering Leslie Mahaffy, 14, and Kristen French, 15, after abducting and sexually abusing them as he and his ex-wife videotaped the acts.

Bernardo’s ex-wife, Karla Homolka, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving a 12-year prison term. She struck a sentencing deal before police learned of the gruesome videotapes. A petition drive urging a harsher sentence on her is underway.

Canada does not permit the death penalty. Bernardo was sentenced to the mandatory life prison term with no chance of parole for 25 years. Friday’s ruling makes his sentence indefinite.