Two cases, two standards of justice
WORTH REPEATING
These are good times for those who say there’s no justice.
Schoolgirl killer Karla Homolka is a free woman in Canada, while Mike Jefferson — now called Mike Danton — rots in an American prison for just plotting to kill his agent David Frost. Frost is still alive, while three teenaged Canadian girls died more than a dozen years ago. Homolka, 35, left prison last summer after serving a 12- year sentence for manslaughter — the so-called “deal with the devil” Crown attorneys made in return for her testimony against murderer Paul Bernardo. Such was the revulsion with Bernardo and Homolka that 14 restrictions were slapped upon her release in July. They included having to report her whereabouts and travel plans to police on a regular basis. But Homolka appealed, arguing that she had served her entire manslaughter sentence and that was enough. Last week, a Quebec Superior Court justice decided that Homolka was no longer a danger to society, and lifted her restrictions. The mother of one of Homolka’s vicagent tims said she felt as though she had been “ kicked in the stomach.” Quebec justice officials say they will appeal the ruling. The sordid tale of former National Hockey League player Jefferson/ Danton is just as perplexing.
Controlled by Frost from his teenaged years, including time with the Barrie Colts, the 25- year- old has six more years to serve after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in 2004. FBI agents say Danton targeted his after Frost threatened to tell St. Louis Blues management about the player’s self-destructive behaviour. The case never went to trial, but that hasn’t stopped many of the details from leaking out. Danton wants to serve the remainder of his sentence in Canada, but so far American authorities aren’t co- operating. So he sits in a New Jersey prison, his hockey career likely finished. Meanwhile, Karla Homolka walks free on Quebec streets, or any other streets in Canada she so desires, with no one to keep track of her. Even given the differences between crime and punishment on either side of the border, there’s no justice in this situation. This isn’t to say that conspiring to commit murder isn’t a crime, but it doesn’t compare to the act of taking lives.
Danton’s story is a tragedy, the Canadian dream that’s become a nightmare. Homolka’s story is a Canadian nightmare that doesn’t seem to have an end. Or one with any justice. This is an edited version of an editorial that appeared in the Barrie Examiner.