Bernardo charged with having weapon

NAPANEE — One of Canada’s most infamous killers is back before the courts for an offence allegedly committed from a maximum-security prison.

Paul Bernardo appeared via video in a Napanee courtroom on Friday facing one count of possession of a weapon, Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General said. It was Bernardo’s second court appearance on the alleged offence, which court documents show took place on Feb. 9 at the Millhaven Institution in nearby Bath.

He allegedly had “a homemade shank composed of a screw and a pen for a handle.”

A spokesperson for the ministry said the case was adjourned to May 18 for another video appearance. Bernardo’s lawyer did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Bernardo has been a notorious figure since his arrest in the

1990s on allegations that he raped and murdered multiple teenage girls at his southern Ontario home. His 1995 trial for the deaths of 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy of Burlington and 15-yearold Kristen French of St. Catharines sent waves of horror across the country as lawyers presented videotaped evidence of Bernardo’s repeated brutal attacks on both girls.

Bernardo was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, forcible confinement and aggravated sexual assault in both cases and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

He was eventually also convicted of manslaughter in the death of Tammy Homolka, the younger sister of his wife Karla Homolka.

She, in turn, was convicted of playing roles in all three killings and served a 12-year prison sentence after striking a deal with prosecutors.

After admitting to raping 14 other women in and around Toronto, Bernardo was given a dangerous offender designation that all but ensures he will remain behind bars for life.