Homolka freedoms stand, appeals court judges rule

MONTREAL— Ontario schoolgirl killer Karla Homolka can still go where she wants and meet with anyone she pleases. The Quebec Court of Appeal rejected a Crown request to seek leave to appeal the recent decision that lifted restrictions on her freedom. The three appeals court judges unanimously ruled there were no legal errors made when a lower court judge struck down the restrictions.

Ontario government prosecutor James Ramsay, who argued the case with the Quebec government, said he’s disappointed with the decision but accepts it.

“ The court has spoken,” Ramsay said after the hearing, adding it would be up to the Quebec government to pursue the matter further. Homolka was released from prison five months ago after serving her entire 12- year sentence in the manslaughter deaths of teens Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy in the 1990s.

Homolka’s lawyer, Sylvie Bordelais, said Homolka is pleased there will be no restrictions and hopes the case doesn’t go to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Toronto lawyer Tim Danson, who represents the Mahaffy and French families, said the case should be appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Quebec government wanted approval to appeal the lower court ruling that lifted the restrictions that were imposed after her release from prison in July.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant was speaking with Quebec officials last night to determine a course of action.

“ I will not rest until all legal avenues have been pursued to protect the public from Homolka,” said Bryant. “ In the event that we receive any information that Homolka is coming to Ontario . . . we right now have a team ready to go before the court and obtain a recognizance order that will restrict her in the province of Ontario.”