Fairy Tales, News Stories & the Monstrous Karla Homolka

"Fairy tales and news stories are not often linked; however, in many news stories, Canadian media depicted Karla Homolka as both passive princess and evil witch. This paper argues journalists used aspects of popularized fairy tales to shape and give meaning to Homolka's life, personality and crimes, and these constructs created a discourse that limited, liberated and ultimately problematised the public's conception of Homolka."

Representing the Reprehensible: Fairy Tales, News Stories & the Monstrous Karla Homolka
By Romaine Smith Fullerton, Atlantis: A Women's Studies Journal Vol. 31, No. 1 (2006)

The Galligan Report on Certain Matters Relating to Karla Homolka (1996)

Hon. Patrick T. Galligan's Report on Certain Matters Relating to Karla Homolka is the most frequently discussed document regarding the "Deal with the Devil" that was cut between Karla Homolka and the Crown Prosecutors in order to secure her testimony against then-husband Paul Bernardo.

In response to an unfavourable public response for the reduced sentence given to Homolka for her role in the crimes, Galligan was appointed by the Attorney General of Ontario to investigate and report on the following  (taken directly from the report):

1. Whether the plea arrangement entered into by Crown counsel with Karla Homolka on May 14, 1993, was appropriate in all the circumstances.
2. Whether the advice given by Crown counsel to the Green Ribbon Task Force in connection with possible charges against Karla Homolka arising out of a sexual assault on Jane Doe was appropriate in all the circumstances.
3. Whether in all the circumstances, is it appropriate or feasible to take further proceedings against Karla Homolka for her part in the deaths of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy and sexual assault on Jane Doe.
4. To inquire into such related matters, if any, which the Attorney General may, from time to time, direct.

In the interest of access to information, I strongly believe that folks who are interested in delving into the criminological, psychological, and legal aspects of this case should be able to view this important document in its entirety.

The Galligan Report on Certain Matters Relating to Karla Homolka
March, 1996 (PDF, 342 pgs)

Open Letter to The Fifth Estate: Release the Karla Homolka Broadcast

Update: August 17, 2012 --> The Karla Homolka broadcast has been made available for download -- please see this page for more details.


Open Letter to The Fifth Estate:

Greetings! 

First and foremost, I grew up watching The Fifth Estate, and I think that your program is by far the best documentary series out there. Your entire crew is thoughtful, diligent, and the great amount of work they put into each and every episode is appreciated.

Now, on to my question... Why is perhaps the most well-known and revealing documentaries you have ever produced -- The Karla Homolka Episode -- not currently available for viewing online?

I couldn't help but notice that the video timeline seems to stop just short of the Homolka broadcast. There are conspiracy theoriests out there who would suggest there's a reason it's not on the menu :)

Archive: http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/archives05-06.html

Thanks for the great shows!

If you feel that this important broadcast should be made available, please take a moment to sign the petition:

Start a Petition by iPetitions.com

The Campbell Report: Bernardo Investigation Review (1996)

The Bernardo Investigation Review is one of the most factual documents in existence regarding the Bernardo/Homolka case. 

Bernardo Investigation Review: Report of Mr. Justice Archie Campbell  (PDF, 500+ pages)

Paul Bernardo Police Interview (June 2007)

Karla Homolka's ex-husband, convicted serial rapist and murderer Paul Bernardo sat down for an interview with Toronto Police Services Sex Crimes Unit in June, 2007.

The purpose of the interview was to shed light a number of unsolved crimes that took place during the time Bernardo was operating as the Scarborough Rapist. In particular, the police were hoping to extract some information on the disappearance of Elizabeth Bain (Bernardo denies any involvement).

The interview offers a rare glimpse into the fractured mind of a Dangerous Offender:

Paul Bernardo Interview withToronto Police Service
Sex Crimes Unit, June 2007 (PDF)

Paul Bernardo Interview with Toronto Police Service
Sex Crimes Unit, June 2007 (YouTube Video)

Karla Homolka and the Absence of Feminist Criticism

Due to her well-documented history of depravity and violence, Canada's most hated woman secured her very own chapter in Killing Women: The Visual Culture of Gender and Violence.

Dealing with the Devil: Karla Homolka and the Absence of Feminist Criticism
Belinda Morrissey
In: Killing Women - The Visual Culture of Gender and Violence
Edited by Annette Burfoot and Susan Lord
Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2006
xxii + 332 pp. / isbn-13: 978-0-88920-497-3 / isbn-10: 0-88920-497-7

"My one goal in life is to kill Karla. She tore my family apart."

I found this image on a Tumblr blog, Serial Killer Confessions.  Followers of this blog submit "confessions" related to notorious murderers; the author posts a selection of these submissions along with an accompanying image.

I wonder if the story behind this "confession" is for real?

If so, the vicious web has claimed yet another unsuspecting passerby.