In January 1993 Homolka separated from Bernardo because of the constant physical abuse that he subjected her to beginning in the summer of 1992. His attacks had become increasingly ferocious, resulting in Homolka being hospitalized. She left him and moved in with friends of her sister, one of which was a police officer.
Closing In On the Scarborough Rapist:
Evidence in helping police identify the Scarborough Rapist was building and after a composite drawing of the suspect was released a work associate of Bernardo's contacted the police and reported that Bernardo looks matched the sketch. The police interviewed Bernardo and obtained a saliva swab from him which later tested positive, but it was not until 1993 that an exact forensic match was made proving Bernardo was the Scarborough Rapist.
The Ontario Green Ribbon Task Force:
The Ontario Green Ribbon Task Force assigned to solving the murders of the girls was closing in on Bernardo and Homolka. Homolka was fingerprinted and questioned. Of particular interest to the detectives was regarding a Mickey Mouse watch that Homolka had that looked like one that Kristen French had on the night she disappeared. Homolka learned during the questioning that Bernardo was identified as the Scarborough rapist. She also knew the rest of their crimes would soon be uncovered.
Homolka Begins to Talk:
Homolka, realizing the pair was going to be caught, confessed to her uncle that Bernardo was a serial rapist and murderer. She also obtained a lawyer and began negotiations into a plea bargain in exchange for her testimony against Bernardo. In mid-February, Bernardo was arrested and charged with the Scarborough rapes and the murders of Mahaffy and French. During the search of the couples home, a diary of Bernardo's with written descriptions of each crime was discovered.
The Worst Plea Bargain In Canada's History:
A plea bargain was discussed for Homolka which she would get a twelve year sentence for her participation in the crimes in exchange for her testimony. The government agreed to her being eligible for parole after serving three years with good behavior. Homolka quickly agreed to all terms and the deal was set. Later, after all evidence was in, the plea bargain became known as being one of the worst in the history of Canada, with the government accused of making a deal with the Devil.
A Deal Is A Deal - Even with The Devil:
Homolka always portrayed herself as an abused wife forced into participating in Bernardo's criminal activity. It was not until the several videotapes that Homolka and Bernardo made were turned into police by an ex-lawyer of Bernardo's, that it became clear that Homolka enjoyed herself with their victims and the truth to Homolka's involvement in the crimes came to light. Regardless of her obvious guilt now coming to light, a deal was a deal, and she could not be retried for her crimes.
Denied Parole:
Bernardo ended up being convicted on all counts of rape and murder and he received a life sentence on September 1, 1995. Homolka went before the parole board in March, 2001 but the National Parole Board denied her application for parole, stating "The board believes that, if released, you are likely to commit an offence causing the death of or serious harm to another person before the expiration of the sentence you are now serving."
Party Prison:
Rumors of Homolka's incarceration being too lenient surfaced after pictures of her sunbathing and partying with other prisoners was published in Canadian newspapers. It was also rumored that she was in a lesbian relationship with Christina Sherry, who was a convicted child-rapist. It was later determined however, that her lesbian lover was not Sherry but instead, Lynda Verrouneau, convicted of participating in a bank robbery.
Homoka's Release:
Homolka is soon scheduled for release. Her safety after her release is in question because she has received threats from several groups who feel she has not been adequately punished.
