Killer withdraws request to visit city
Elio Caputo, who murdered Cara Taylor in 1993, rescinds application
An inmate serving time for the murder of 17-year-old Cara Taylor has withdrawn his request to visit St. Catharines.
Steve Taylor, whose sister was killed in 1993 by her obsessed ex-boyfriend, said he felt “relief” when a Corrections Canada victims services officer informed him that Elio Caputo withdrew his application Thursday.
The move came directly on the heels of Taylor going public on Facebook and in the media this week voicing his opposition to Caputo coming to the city.
The news sparkled public outrage, with many people speaking out against the visits on social media and vowing to write Corrections Canada.
“I’d like to say what a relief it was when I called (the victim services officer) back and she told me that he had withdrawn his application to have his escorted visit to St Catharines,” Taylor said late Thursday night in an online interview.
“And thank everyone who had shared my post, called or emailed to make a statement, as well as the media who helped to get the word out.
“I’m sure it was the reason he withdrew his application, whether it was his decision or what had been recommended to him. Hopefully we never have to deal with another request like this, but if we do I will make sure I keep everyone in the loop again.”
Cara was at home in Merritton on Feb. 2, 1993, when Caputo, then 18, came over with a BB gun and threatened her. He tied her wrists and mouth with duct tape and sexually assaulted her. After she died of asphyxia, he removed the tape, dressed her and carried her to her bedroom. She was found by her mother.
Caputo was initially found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury in 1994 but the trial was appealed and the conviction set aside. He later pleaded guilty to the reduced sentence of second-degree murder in November 1998 and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 18 years.
Taylor and other members of Cara’s family were informed last week that Caputo had applied for the escorted temporary absence to visit St. Catharines from Beaver Creek institution in Gravehurst for “family contact.”