Thread by @cmcdonaldglobal

I will be live tweeting from the virtual parole hearing for Paul #Bernardo @PBC_CLCC. It's set to get underway at 10 am. Only accredited media and accredited observers are invited to attend

Bernardo is sitting alone in a room with a window behind him. Wearing a blue t-shirt. He says "good morning" and confirms he wants the hearing held in english. He seems relaxed. His hair is neatly cut with short sideburns

There's a bit of a delay. Bernardo is 56 years old now but doesn't look his age. He is looking down and around the room during the silence

The @PBC_CLCC board members attending this hearing are Maureen Gauci and Matt O'Brien. Bernardo's assistant is Fergus O'Connor, who identifies himself as a lawyer. Also here, victims and their support, a correctional officer, media

Bernardo: "The question I have the format in the letter might be different from the format today" says Bernardo. The host Alison Young says it will be similar to his past hearing. In the last hearing, he was allowed to speak. He asks if he can do that again. Young says yes

Maureen Gauci says the purpose of today's hearing is a legislative review. Must decide about day and full parole. And risk. Focused on Bernardo's progress and likelihood of him reoffending, should he be released.

First victim statement is now about to be read, We are now seeing the parents of Kristen French "this is a painful and difficult process, there are no words that can capture the depths of our loss, and the anguish and despair"

29 years during which we didn't get to see Kristen graduate from high school, fall in love with her husband to be, plan a wedding, start a family, enjoy her children, says Kristen's mother. "we still can't believe something so horrific happened in our lovely city"

It has been an agonizing time to accept all she had to endure. "the pain is a life sentence. So often there is the ominous black cloud .. this evil dark cloud is very persistent and continues to haunt us. We cannot and will not accept this happening to another innocent girl ...

... by the same perpetrator" saying there is no cure for psychopathy. Donna French reads calmly about Bernardo's previous parole board finding. "He has been keen over the years to come up with his own unsubstantiated reasons for his own behaviour" saying ...

the passage of 2 years and 8 months cannot change his behavior. She reads off what Justice Lesage said about Bernardo in 1995 when he declared him a dangerous offender and called him a "sexually sadistic psychopath

"we know he will commit more heinous crimes against more innocent children." Donna French. Now going on to second victim statement which Tim Danson will read for Debbie Mahaffy

Danson says Leslie was abducted and tortured by Paul Bernardo. Murdered on June 16, 1991 on Father's Day. June 29, June 30, 1991 body found encased in cement. She was forensically identified on July 10, 1991 Debbie's birthday. Leslie's body was later exhumed, confirming ...

they were murdered, Kristen French and Leslie were murdered by the same murderer. "what we endured for decades could never compare to what Leslie endured." here we are at another parole hearing "it feels like another violation, another loss"

Leslie's mom says "sadistic brutality Bernardo committed against two girls". Says they've tried to forget about Bernardo's life since last hearing but once again forcing his horrors upon us. "this unnecessary revictimization must stop" parole hearings must be 5 yrs min apart

"When Leslie was murdered in June 1991, we raged, we mourned, we grieved. her loss was profound ... As years have passed, so too have many of life's milestones that she never got to experience. We didn't get to share any of the milestones with her."

"This dangerous offender's actions 30 years ago have impacted us every day of those 30 years." Let's not forget about words of Justice Lesage who had to view the videotapes showing the sadistic brutality. Justice Lesage turned to Mr Bernardo, Mr Bernardo you require to be in ...

jail for the rest of your life. before calling him a sadistic psychopath. At last parole hearing showed minimum insight into his crimes. "he is incapable of empathy, insight, controlling his sexual impacts, anger and rage" hallmarks of a psychopath

"in the words of Chief Justice lesage, you must spend the rest of your natural life in jail. public safety deserves no less" says Danson, quoting Debbie Mahaffy

Bernardo stares straight ahead listening. Shows no visible emotion as we await a third victim impact statement. A bit of a break here

Bernardo's hair isn't that recently cut for those wondering. It's a bit poufy on top but it looks like it's been cut in the past few months. We can't photograph or videotape today's hearing but we have a sketch artist in court who will try to capture how he looks.

The next victim impact statement is being read by Jennifer, a victim of sexual assault May 30, 1988. "I want to forgive him but I hate him for what he did to me. I want him to get the help he needs but then I want him to rot in jail at the same time"

"what he did to me destroyed my self worth, fear fear fear" asking that he not be released. "he denies everything and does not think he needs help. I would love to hear from him that he is remorseful. He needs to realize that freedom in a physical sense will never come to him"

"he has chipped away a big part of my soul ... please don't be fooled by this .. If I'm the only living survivor to testify today. I beg you on behalf of all of us, please keep us where he is. Every day of life is a gift. Thank you for your time and consideration"

Maureen Gauci says it takes courage and says she appreciates her participation in this. Now hearing from parole officer. He has remained classified as a max security offender throughout. Now being reviewed for day and full parole

Bernardo has not provided a release plan to case management team. At one point in 2018, he refused to return to cell and was belligirant with staff. Hasn't completed any courses since his last review.

His overall ability to use skills to manage his risks factors remains unchanged. Most recent psychological risk assessment, he is a high risk offender. He is a not a good candidate for community release. He committed a series of violent offences against women that was severe ...

.. and violent in nature. His participation in correctional programs not sufficient to mitigate his reoffence. CSC says day and full parole should be denied

Maureen Gauci now explains to Bernardo the purpose of the hearing. Board now will ask questions. Says she and her colleague have read his file and are equal decision makers.

Gauci asks if she has any questions. Bernardo is now going to respond to parole officer's presentation "I'm hoping this will help clarify some of points PO made" . In 2017, Bernardo says courts ruled solitary confinement is cruel and unusual punishment

Say he's had a lack of human contact in excess of 10,000 days. "I described to everyone I was experiencing stress and anxiety" felt it for decades. "it was the reason why in 2014, for a 7 wk period, triggered my sex drive and preoccupation that risked triggering my sex deviance"

I believe Bernardo says he's had suicidal ideation. "They knew that what I was describing stress and anxiety, longest ever solitary confinement case was longest in Canadian history". in 2017, got treatment, ended in 2018 when he went into remission even though he had no contact

"Cruel and unusual treatment was bestowed upon me". Has received no programming since last hearing. Says he has a good understanding of his crime process. Reading from a prior report, saying he was caring and kind.

Now talking about his sexual deviancy. "My voyeurism began at age 21 ... the degree and deviance of grandiosity, led to voyeurism and the abuse and assault up to murder ... All my abuse, violence is out of entitlement ..."

Now reading definitely of torture and rage and force. "My infliction up to abuse up .. was never for sadistic pleasure and there is no evidence of this". I felt entitled and lacked empathy. Bernardo's rambling on, reading his long prepared statement

"the standard profile of a serial rapist, to do what I needed, when I wanted" ... says there is no evidence of a sexual sadism opinion. Says this is what happens when the offender has not been spoken to in a structured clinical interview.

Bernardo is now firing off comments that have been written about him by doctors, trying to refute definition that has been used to describe him "psychopath." says only one doctor has called him a psychopath who did not do a structured interview with him.

"my former PO stated I transferred significant blame on Karla Homolka. I believe Karla Homolka was my victim, I believe she wouldn't have offended if it wasn't for me, I believe I ruined her life. KH lied to exclude her role to get her 12 year deal"

"I clearly have shown for the last 16 years since 2005 that I have a lot of empathy and others."

"I lied under oath at trial, and had a lack of empathy for my victims, by putting them through a trial. I sincerely apologize to everyone I put through that sickening and horrific ordeal". I have been accountable for every offence I did. I am a first time offender.

"Every day I'm able to stop my thoughts before they become sexual fantasies and arousals ... the only sexual arousals and fantasies I can engage in are actual sexual encounters."

says he accepts that he needs to take anti sex drive medication. he's willing to take it "this is indicative of the virtuous person I am". shows he's no longer preoccupied with sex or need to exploit women. voluntarily doing this shows I no longer need self adoration. I am humble

and know I need to be equal with women. Shows an extraordinarily level of behavioral restraint. No longer needs to control women. "my knowledge of my crime process and use of anti antigen medication ... is the antithesis of the dangerous offender criteria"

Bernardo: the medication puts my risk for sexual violence, to low risk and as well puts my security classification score at below 15 which would make me a minimum security offender. make that "anti androgen medication"

"the board is my only means to get on the anti androgen medication." he wants parole so he can get counselling and the medication. would like to stay in Ontario but understands notoriety, would like to reside at the Bridges to New Life halfway house in #Kelowna BC, 5 beds

he's now reading a letter from Bridges to New Life. whomever wrote the letter says he would be accepted despite his status. His day parole plan is also Kelowna. 3000 km away from Ontario where he committed his crimes. Less media interest, public outcry and protest.

"My full parole plan. I realize my day parole must come first. Basically continue to do the same things. Try to find a job. I'm unskilled, happy to take a labour job. Would be willing to work my way up. Thank you for listening" Bernardo is finished a long rambling statement

Gauci is now asking "better understanding about what your lifestyle was like at the time you started offending"
Bernardo "I was a male chauvinist pig." had narcissistic personality disorder which justifies sexual deviance and partner violence

"I went through university". Dishwasher, security guard before becoming an accountant for Price Waterhouse. Started at 86 87 started to feel entitlement of getting what he wanted with women started. His voyeurism. 1989 left Price Waterhouse to engage more in sexual deviance.

Filed for bankruptcy. "i had more time to do what i wanted, when I wanted." in 1990, when Tammy died, my Unemployment insurance ran out, I think he said he started smuggling cigarettes. Instead of going back to workforce. Matt O'Brien @PBC_CLCC wants to know why he did this

Critical factors: Bernardo "I was gravitated to partners who put up with my sexual deviance and were platforms". Male chauvanist beliefs, partner violence. "I was a really good kid until the onset of adulthood and I started going towards my sexual deviance"

"Straight from the first voyeurism attempt, I didn't even think of their rights. I was self centered. I did not think about that (the harm) and it escalated from there. I saw women as less than, as sex objects, I didn't see them as equal people with thoughts"

O'Brien asks why was there an escalation? Bernardo: "I had unlimited success with women. I wanted to do what I wanted, with as many women as I could". My goal was unlimited. I felt need for adoration. I got to have this women's virginity. By what ever means. consent or force.

"I lacked empathy for their feelings. I deserve it. Every man deserves it. I got a lot of self adoration. I needed more self admiration as things got more stressful. I demanded self approval of myself. I demanded control and women to do what i wanted when i wanted"

"When they screamed, and I lost a sexual assault and I had to run away," Bernardo says he became angry. "I never wanted them to report so I would coerce and threaten them".

Gauci asks why he continued to escalate his behavior Bernardo "I felt entitled and exploited them with a lack of empathy. I had no concern about the harm I was causing them. I felt good about what I was doing. I didn't like using violence. I was quite willing to use it"

"I never had an intervention." during the last 2 and a half years, says he has controlled himself. "This has caused me great distress during his incarceration. Cried .. I have taken responsibility. This is something I didn't have back then but I should have had back then"

O'Brien wants to know what it is in terms of risk he's missing here. why was he committing repeat offences and escalating. Bernardo: "as Karla Homolka said, I don't hate women, I love women. that's not love, he says. I thought women were it ..

That was my focus in life. I left my career for it. I was able to get self admiration for that without thinking about the harm." He explains the only reason she got the violence is because she fought back. Because she didn't go along with it. Accepts the diagnosis of narcissism

Bernardo: "What I did was coerce them to do what I wanted when I wanted." made them suffer if they didn't comply. That control was arousing he explains.
Matt O'Brien says its incredibly concerning behavior and trying to understand. Wants to know if PB understands and can manage

Bernardo says he got so violence because his goal was to do what he wanted, when he wanted. "this is what happened with Karla Homolka when I hit her in the head with a flashlight. I came back in a rage. that is the area you guys have to be very concerned about"

O'Brien says there are a number of areas he's concerned about. Bernardo agrees. "you've engaged in horrific and heinous acts ... " says O'Brien. "you're finishing programs but you would become defensive, argumentative and litigious when you were given feedback you didn't like"

Bernardo: anxiety disorder, blames 10,000 days of lack of contact. when I developed that and lived that for decades, no one said it's because you're in solitary confinement. "You're right when you said I was not accepting. But I am now"

"I actually watched on CPAC when they mentioned my name when they talked about the SIU(?) bill. talks about Solitary confinement. I don't have any friends. I believe in my heart and soul it gave me suicidal ideations but I realized I was able to get back"

"I wanted so much to have someone to talk to. When I figured out that's the reason why, I got back in the last 3 years, I got back to the reasons why I offended. It's what I've got to do and what I do do on a daily basis. I agree with the treatment options."

says he's brought himself to an extraordinary level of behavioral restraint. #Bernardo says he works on his behavior every day. "I don't even watch TV". The parole officer said he came back with minimal gains but believes he has had good gains. They haven't given him anything...

but says that's ok because he has all the program notes in his cell. has been working on himself "how did i get so off track in my life? I'm back to who I was before this took place. It's so far in the past, it's almost an unbelievability. But I recognize this is who I am ...

... and I have to manage it on a daily basis" Bernardo says his risk factors are his sexual deviance, sexual objectification of women, sex drive and preoccupation, sexual fantasies and arousals, "I stop all thoughts from going to sexual fantasies", I don't watch movies, videos,

books .. that involve sexual objectification of women. "When thoughts slip in, I use mindfulness, I use emotional management skills, I pray to the rosary every day".

Bernardo says talks about managing his personality treats" So every single day, I'm not going to engage in masturbation or sexual arousal, until I have a partner". He says he's a good person if he manages that. otherwise he's not. repeats need for anti androgen medication.

O'Brien says self management plans (submitted April 2021) are confusing and unwieldy. Appear to be generated without the advice of professionals he's been working with.
Bernardo says they are the ten steps from the program he's been given.

Bernardo says he is a low risk with the plan he has "I've stopped all deviant thinking for the past 2 1/2 years" many sex offenders wont take anti androgen medication. "A virtuous person that does not want to hurt anyone (takes it) to ensure public safety"

"I accept my faults. I accept my risks. I don't think you should let me out without it (anti androgen medication). I for 2 1/2 years have stopped sexual thoughts from becoming fantasies. I have a high level of self management skill without the medication."

Bernardo: deviancy in jail "there's lots of things they can do. This prison. The things that go on in here. It's just ... I haven't been around in an outside environment. As I say in my self management plan, it's a different dynamic when I'm outside at a halfway house ...

"... this is why they say take it slow." that's why he's willing to take anti androgen meds. "It has to be put in place during that time" He says he's never done anything inappropriate with female guards.

I'm not expert in forensic psychiatry but he seems to have all the answers for the parole board. He just talked about the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" (though he hasn't seen it) and says "I'm not perfect. I'll take programming every day for the rest of my life."

"The only programming I need right now is the maintenance programming." He says he needs help re-integrating into society. "It's unknown. you're going to raise the risk, I'm confident in my ability to control my sexual thoughts ...but I know I need supports, I want the supports"

"If worse can to worse, I'd say shut the door, I'm not going outside." O'Brien asks who do you speak to now Bernardo: "I speak to god for contrition. I'm in solitary confinement. I speak to my parents"

speaking again about the anxiety he suffered from the lack of human contact.
Gauci wants him to comment on something in the file about Bernardo's risks going down
"My goal after doing such terrible harm to people in society is to lower my risk"

Bernardo says he had a relationship with someone who cared about him. not clear who she is. it's over. Gauci says there was something in the file about him getting married, lowering the risk. "An intimate relationship has to be monitored for signs of recidivism" says Bernardo

Bernardo confirms he's alone now and that may never change. Now talking about the Scarborough rapes. "there were no amber alerts, there was no internet. I was so afraid of being caught. I was frightened by the police, My grandiosity was over women" Went to St Catharines

Gauci: had you not been caught, murder and dismemberment, would you have returned?
Bernardo "I'm glad I got caught. Would I have reoffended years down the road? Maybe, probably. The heat was on. I needed help. Too late. Keeping me inside for 28 years and allowing me to ...

... on the harm I had done. And to better myself, a terrible person."

Gauci asks about why he was kept in segregation.
Bernardo says he disagrees: "I've known of every high profile offender and they've cascaded every offender down to lower security except me"

Bernardo says he thinks he would be ok at a lower institution. "I get along with everybody. The only reason they don't like me is because of my crime. As a high profile sex offender"

Gauci says they don't see institutional issues with him. their concern is personal safety with change of environment.
Bernardo says for 28 years he's had his share of threats "I get along with other people, I'm empathetic, I try to help people

Gauci says she didn't see anything in his file about halfway house in Kelowna. Bernardo says that's from 2018 parole hearing. "I don't want to be around the area where I offended in the sense of the high profile nature. Don't want to create distress for victims," a sacrifice ...

... Bernardo says he's willing to make, given he would be away from his parents. Referencing Dr Simard's report, says his priority is to manage his sexual deviance and to manage there is no partner violence. External factors is general social rejection

Even those who reject him, "I will still give them a charity of love". I believe in forgiveness. Negative social reaction, rejection, is going to limit my employment, volunteering, access to places, even a church. "I don't want to think that way, but they may not"

says he knows it will limit friendships "I believe I can overcome that challenge with time ... My social network will not involve inmates but more pro-social people".
Bernardo says he could pick fruits and worms in the Okanagan "I don't know how good I'd be under anti androgens"

I'm sorry to offend anyone by live tweeting this @PBC_CLCC hearing. That is not my reason for doing this. It's in the interest of public safety and because this hearing is not open to the public, I am tweeting, as I have often done in the past during high profile trials

Bernardo says he's strong in his opinions and flexible. He loves to talk clearly and hasn't had anyone to talk to during the pandemic. He says at the end of the last parole hearing, he says he wasn't ready for release. "This time I'm ready" says Bernardo

Now we're going back to Bernardo's parole officer who says Bernardo questioned his diagnostics and the tools. "he seems to cherry pick. experts say he's a high risk for reoffending and not a good candidate for release"

Parole officer talks about fact Bernardo thought he wasn't going to get caught "when the heat was on for the Scarborough rapist, he even said he left town". talking about self management plan, "to me, his recital seemed to be almost devoid of any true absorption of the values"

Parole officer said Bernardo "seemed devoid of emotion." Now hearing from Bernardo's lawyer "he can't offer an adequate explanation for his crimes. He tells you he's glad he's got caught, He's spent 28 year reflecting, he's in segregation, he's been taking programming ...

... many would say he should stay in jail for life. To rot in life. Conversely some would say 28 years in jail under harsh conditions provides a balance. It's not about just desserts, it's about risk to reoffend. he admits his crimes. He's worked very hard towards rehabilitation

... according to the statistical information on recidivism, my client, Mr Bernardo is in the lowest risk category. (report 2020 page 4) Since his last parole hearing, despite remaining in segregation, remains of positive behavior and attitude"

"Mr Bernardo is assessed at 16.5 and therefore is at medium security. Kept in segregation largely because he would be at risk from other offenders. As is indicated on page 6, certain other inmates have been screened and have spent some time with them" without difficulty

You've heard mention of word psychopathy, as far as I can find, Mr Bernardo's score finds he does not meet the definition of psychopathy. He's considered low risk to reoffend, medium security and not psychopathic. In addition to being in jail for 28 years, he's aged ...

that means he's at less risk to reoffend. "My client, in my respectful submission, by demonstrating good behavior, has demonstrated that he has rehabilitated, he has aged, a structure such as Henry Trail, is a good candidate for conditional release" Bernardo's lawyer says

Bernardo is now given the final word. Says he's an empathetic person. Speaks about the case of Cindy Halliday. Says in 2005, before Homolka was released, spoke to police about Holiday case, felt badly for the family. Interviewed re Elizabeth Bain case "I tried". shows empathy

"The last parole hearing I cried almost the whole time. I have a lot of empathy. Whatever conditions you give, I will follow. I will make everybody proud. Make sure it's correct. I have no desire to reoffend." Bernardo

Deliberations are now beginning. @PBC_CLCC asks observers to stay on the line. Bernardo's camera goes off. And now we wait.

Just to correct something I tweeted that was brought to my attention to @PBC_CLCC, I said PBC hearings are not open to the public. They are open to the public but you must apply to observe a parole hearing or to request a copy of a board decision

We are back

#Breaking Maureen Gauci says day parole and full parole for Paul Bernardo has been denied. Insight remains limited, remain to be a high risk for sexual reasons, "you've not shown your risk can be managed in the community"

Paul Bernardo shows no emotion. He can be seen putting on a medical mask and getting out of his chair. The Screen goes black. The hearing ends. Lawyer Tim Danson will be holding a news conference shortly reacting to @PBC_CLCC decision which took less than one hour to arrive at

I’ve covered a number of parole hearings over the years and the most difficult thing is hearing from the victims who have to face the offender. Today was no exception. Hearing from the woman who was one of the #Bernardo rape victims sent chills up my spine. She was very brave

I went to Joliette QC in 2005 when Homolka was getting out of prison after serving a 12 year sentence and Ontario govt was seeking an 8.10 order to put conditions upon her release for one year. It was a highly emotional few days. After that, I started covering crime exclusively

Ok. looks like the news conference with Tim Danson, the lawyer for the French and Mahaffy families is about to begin. Starting shortly

Danson says the families are very pleased with the decision. "This has been a very stressful time for them and quite frankly on a go forward basis, I think the @PBC_CLCC should consider not holding hearings in same month the offence took place" Leslie Mahaffy killed in June 1991

The families found his rant, was deeply offensive, shameful and designed for his personal perverted entertainment. While it wasn't his attention, Mr Bernardo himself became exhibit A which you could see for himself. Particularly disturbing, he described what he did to 1 victim

Danson says this speech that he gave that he was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment due to a lack of human contact is "a breathtaking submission" given the cruel punishment he did to others.

The families would have no trouble seeing him integrated into the general prison population before he reintegrates into the public. "We should perhaps think about giving him that opportunity." Family thought it was incredible he gave himself credit for not ...

engaging in violent sexual activity while in prison. He's sanctimonious and glib. What is most disturbing for families, says Danson, is the fact they have to do this every 2 years (and 8 months)

What's the purpose of putting victims through something like this when he does it for, more or less, his own, entertainment? Danson says given he's participated in no programs since last parole hearing

Danson says while he's entitled to a parole hearing every 2 years if he asks. Danson what's unusual about his case, even if he didn't apply for parole, he'd still be statutorily entitled to a parole hearing "something needs to be fixed. it's inappropriate and unfair" for victims

... of those like Paul Bernardo and says there needs to be legislative change. "what you saw was very much a public hearing. he was cherry picking from reports. the law needs to change that the transparency of the parole hearing, should be as public as it is in a criminal trial."

My collegue @jpnadeau_cbc asks Danson if he thinks Bernardo will ever be released. Says the families will never take anything for granted, will never be complacent. Danson says his rant was revealing despite the fact he's made no attempt to address concerns from previous hearing

"It's clear if he can't drive any insight from his crimes after 28 years, it's not going to happen in 2 years or 5 years". Danson puts him in the same camp as Clifford Olsen.

Danson is asked about the scenario Bernardo put forth about living in Kelowna picking fruit. Families thought it was repugnant. Found it offensive he said he would rather be in Ontario than BC but would settle for living in a halfway house in Kelowna.

“The cognitive distortions are disconnect from reality” are incredible says Danson speaking about Bernardo’s rant at his hearing today.

I will be joining @AlexpiersonAMP on @am640 to discuss today’s parole hearing around 7:45 pm.

Here’s my broadcast story from @globalnewsto on the Bernardo parole hearing globalnews.ca/news/7969895/p…