I am REALLY not impressed with this one.
- Thread starter Ron in Regina
- Start date
Not me. I would be fine if he was tossed into a deep, dark pit and slowly starved to death.;-)
Not me.....
I just want to off the ****er quick and painless....like you would a rabid dog.
No More Chances | News Talk 980
I never see Gormley as visibly angry as when we are talking about child sex offenders on the show.
A few weeks ago we discussed Danial Gratton, the child sex-offender who was arrested in October for the abduction and sexual assaults of two Edmonton girls - ages 7 and 10 - in the span of just a few days. Gratton is a serial pedophile who was declared a long-term offender and sent to prison for molesting six children - one child at least 70 times in six months. He was on parole for these offences when he allegedly kidnapped the two Edmonton girls by luring each of them with the promise of kittens, then drugging, sexually assaulting and threatening to kill them before letting them go.
The public wasn't warned of the fact that Gratton was free and wandering in the midst of their children because high-ranking law enforcement officials decided he wasn't a "high risk". He was "on parole" and "in treatment". Clearly that worked out well.
Then there is Peter Whitmore.
Two summers ago Whitmore snatched a ten year old Saskatchewan boy and subjected him to unthinkable physical, sexual and emotional abuse in an abandoned, filthy farmhouse not far from the boy's home.
Whitmore was convicted in Ontario in 1993 of abduction and sexual offences involving four boys, he served sixteen months for that one. Within days after his release, he took an eight-year-old girl...he received a 56-month sentence for a sex offence involving her.
Not long after that, after bouncing around from province to province and violating a probation order along the way, Whitmore ended up in Saskatchewan with one child in tow, and we know the rest of the story (which incidently has now been written by criminal justice reporter Mike McIntyre - he'll be on Gormley Friday to discuss his new book.)
Two men...15 children victimized (that we know of)...and the blame for destroying of at least five of these kids lives lays squarely at the feet of the bureaucrats who set these men free to prey upon our children. Over and over and over again.
Today this type of story is hitting close to home as Harold David Smeltzer was granted day parole yesterday to be served at a halfway house in Regina. Smeltzer has been serving a life sentence for the murder and rapes of young Calgary girls in the early 1980's. First he kidnapped 5-year old Kimmie Thompson, taking her back to his mom's house and stripping her out of her snowsuit so he could "kiss her" as she cried out for her mom. Smeltzer got scared, but instead of letting Kimmie go, he poured her a drink of water, drew a bath and placed her in the tub, holding her head under the water until she died. Then, he put her dead body in a garbage bag and stuffed it in a can in the alley. Smeltzer never came forward and turned himself in, instead he went on a sex spree and was busted after raping two elementary school girls at knife-point, five months after killing Kimmie.
Within a matter of days Harvey Smeltzer will be standing behind us at the grocery store, walking through our parks or sitting beside us in the restaurant. The same Harvey Smeltzer who admitted yesterday - not a year ago or ten years ago - but yesterday, when asked if he considers himself a pedophile - "Yes I do. I'm attracted to little girls." The same Harvey Smeltzer who admitted to having to fight his urges after watching five whole minutes of 'Degrassi Junior High' on television.
Don't panic though, Smeltzer's got a plan to stay straight. "When I leave the institution, I plan my day and the first thing I tell myself is 'I am a sex offender, I am a pedophile.' Basically, that's how I prepare my day." Oh, well then, thank God for that rock-solid strategy.
Rock-solid enough, I guess, for parole board officials to agree with him that "although he is a pedophile and violent sexual offender, he poses no risk to children".
Can someone please explain how that one works?
I'm so tired of the rights and freedoms of these freaks taking priority over the safety of our kids. Why should my or your daughter or son be the next victim ? Why are lawmakers, decision-makers and law enforcement officers gambling with our children? And why are we allowing them to?
As so many callers put it on JGL this morning - no more 'strikes', no more chances. One child-sex offence and your done, locked up for good.
Don't we owe at least that to our kids, nevermind to the kids who have already been let down? What about Kimmie Thompson, who was simply never given the chance to feel anything?
Tammy Robert is the Executive Producer of 'The John Gormley Live Show' - listen live every weekday morning from 8.30am - 12.30pm on NewsTalk 650 or NewsTalk 980. Home | News Talk 980
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This Child-Killer-Serial-Rapist-Sex-Offender is being placed in Regina on the "Catch&Release"
program as, it seems, Regina has an open space for this Monster. This morning the Police
Department is debating whether or not the Public "has the right" to have a picture of this
guy released that isn't 27 years old. Oh yeah? Really? Wouldn't want to violate this guys rights.
I never see Gormley as visibly angry as when we are talking about child sex offenders on the show.
A few weeks ago we discussed Danial Gratton, the child sex-offender who was arrested in October for the abduction and sexual assaults of two Edmonton girls - ages 7 and 10 - in the span of just a few days. Gratton is a serial pedophile who was declared a long-term offender and sent to prison for molesting six children - one child at least 70 times in six months. He was on parole for these offences when he allegedly kidnapped the two Edmonton girls by luring each of them with the promise of kittens, then drugging, sexually assaulting and threatening to kill them before letting them go.
The public wasn't warned of the fact that Gratton was free and wandering in the midst of their children because high-ranking law enforcement officials decided he wasn't a "high risk". He was "on parole" and "in treatment". Clearly that worked out well.
Then there is Peter Whitmore.
Two summers ago Whitmore snatched a ten year old Saskatchewan boy and subjected him to unthinkable physical, sexual and emotional abuse in an abandoned, filthy farmhouse not far from the boy's home.
Whitmore was convicted in Ontario in 1993 of abduction and sexual offences involving four boys, he served sixteen months for that one. Within days after his release, he took an eight-year-old girl...he received a 56-month sentence for a sex offence involving her.
Not long after that, after bouncing around from province to province and violating a probation order along the way, Whitmore ended up in Saskatchewan with one child in tow, and we know the rest of the story (which incidently has now been written by criminal justice reporter Mike McIntyre - he'll be on Gormley Friday to discuss his new book.)
Two men...15 children victimized (that we know of)...and the blame for destroying of at least five of these kids lives lays squarely at the feet of the bureaucrats who set these men free to prey upon our children. Over and over and over again.
Today this type of story is hitting close to home as Harold David Smeltzer was granted day parole yesterday to be served at a halfway house in Regina. Smeltzer has been serving a life sentence for the murder and rapes of young Calgary girls in the early 1980's. First he kidnapped 5-year old Kimmie Thompson, taking her back to his mom's house and stripping her out of her snowsuit so he could "kiss her" as she cried out for her mom. Smeltzer got scared, but instead of letting Kimmie go, he poured her a drink of water, drew a bath and placed her in the tub, holding her head under the water until she died. Then, he put her dead body in a garbage bag and stuffed it in a can in the alley. Smeltzer never came forward and turned himself in, instead he went on a sex spree and was busted after raping two elementary school girls at knife-point, five months after killing Kimmie.
Within a matter of days Harvey Smeltzer will be standing behind us at the grocery store, walking through our parks or sitting beside us in the restaurant. The same Harvey Smeltzer who admitted yesterday - not a year ago or ten years ago - but yesterday, when asked if he considers himself a pedophile - "Yes I do. I'm attracted to little girls." The same Harvey Smeltzer who admitted to having to fight his urges after watching five whole minutes of 'Degrassi Junior High' on television.
Don't panic though, Smeltzer's got a plan to stay straight. "When I leave the institution, I plan my day and the first thing I tell myself is 'I am a sex offender, I am a pedophile.' Basically, that's how I prepare my day." Oh, well then, thank God for that rock-solid strategy.
Rock-solid enough, I guess, for parole board officials to agree with him that "although he is a pedophile and violent sexual offender, he poses no risk to children".
Can someone please explain how that one works?
I'm so tired of the rights and freedoms of these freaks taking priority over the safety of our kids. Why should my or your daughter or son be the next victim ? Why are lawmakers, decision-makers and law enforcement officers gambling with our children? And why are we allowing them to?
As so many callers put it on JGL this morning - no more 'strikes', no more chances. One child-sex offence and your done, locked up for good.
Don't we owe at least that to our kids, nevermind to the kids who have already been let down? What about Kimmie Thompson, who was simply never given the chance to feel anything?
Tammy Robert is the Executive Producer of 'The John Gormley Live Show' - listen live every weekday morning from 8.30am - 12.30pm on NewsTalk 650 or NewsTalk 980. Home | News Talk 980
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This Child-Killer-Serial-Rapist-Sex-Offender is being placed in Regina on the "Catch&Release"
program as, it seems, Regina has an open space for this Monster. This morning the Police
Department is debating whether or not the Public "has the right" to have a picture of this
guy released that isn't 27 years old. Oh yeah? Really? Wouldn't want to violate this guys rights.
We've all now had a change to express our personal opinions on this subject and though I agree
with most of the solutions put forth by many of the Members of the Canadian Content Forums,
here is something that we can actually do.
Our Canadian Justice System is broken, and it has been for quite some time. If we the People do
not step forward and let our voices be heard, in mass, then change will not come and the system
will remain broken allowing a "catch & release" program for violent sexual offenders and others who
would pose a danger to our spouces, our children, our grandchildren, and ourselves to enter our
neighborhoods, and our lives. If we, the People, do nothing...then we can expect nothing to happen
and nothing to change...with only ourselves to blame.
I've been to the website http://www.kimmieslaw.com/ and believe every citizen of Canada should also.
Can you (all of you) please encourage everyone you know to visit this website, and to then step up to
the plate in writing their M.P.'s, and MLA's, and City Councilors, and their Mayors....and the Justice
Ministers both Provincially and Federally, and the Prime Minister of our Country. Change will not come
from our individual silence.
with most of the solutions put forth by many of the Members of the Canadian Content Forums,
here is something that we can actually do.
Our Canadian Justice System is broken, and it has been for quite some time. If we the People do
not step forward and let our voices be heard, in mass, then change will not come and the system
will remain broken allowing a "catch & release" program for violent sexual offenders and others who
would pose a danger to our spouces, our children, our grandchildren, and ourselves to enter our
neighborhoods, and our lives. If we, the People, do nothing...then we can expect nothing to happen
and nothing to change...with only ourselves to blame.
I've been to the website http://www.kimmieslaw.com/ and believe every citizen of Canada should also.
Can you (all of you) please encourage everyone you know to visit this website, and to then step up to
the plate in writing their M.P.'s, and MLA's, and City Councilors, and their Mayors....and the Justice
Ministers both Provincially and Federally, and the Prime Minister of our Country. Change will not come
from our individual silence.
Someone who snatches a child and kills him or her should get life in jail. Why are judges so slack here? A message has to be sent that violent crime is not permitted in Canada. There are so many excuses from the system.
The streets have to be made safer.
The streets are not safe for women. Violent offenders need to pay.
The streets have to be made safer.
The streets are not safe for women. Violent offenders need to pay.
dumpthemonarchy....believe it or not...this Monster DID get, and serve Canada's version of
LIFE in prison (which is 25yrs, with all sentences to be served concurrently, not consecutively).
With Canada's version of LIFE, after 25yrs he's eligible to "apply" for parole, but it doesn't mean
the National Parole Board of Canada has to grant it...ever...and yet they did anyway.
Concurrent Sentances = served at the same time....kill one person or twenty-five people, and you'll
serve 25yrs...even if you are convicted and given a LIFE sentance for each murder, they are all served at
the same time....so as not to impose an undue hardship upon the criminal. This is the current Canadian
way. The day will come in the not very distant future where Clifford Olsens 25yrs will be up. The same
thing will eventually happen for Robert Picton.
Consecutive Sentances = served one after another...kill one person and serve 25yrs, but kill twenty five
people and you'll serve (25 people x 25yrs) 625 years....which is really LIFE in prison. Consecutive
Sentances are still used at a Judges discression across the border to the south of us where Judges are
Elected officials.
Canada CAN use Consecutive Sentances, but just doesn't. This is from the Criminal Code of Canada:
718.2A court that imposes a sentence shall also take into consideration the following principles:
(a) a sentence should be increased or reduced to account for any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances relating to the offence or the offender, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(i) evidence that the offence was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor,
(ii) evidence that the offender, in committing the offence, abused the offender’s spouse or common-law partner,
(ii.1) evidence that the offender, in committing the offence, abused a person under the age of eighteen years,
(iii) evidence that the offender, in committing the offence, abused a position of trust or authority in relation to the victim,
(iv) evidence that the offence was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization, or
(v) evidence that the offence was a terrorism offence
shall be deemed to be aggravating circumstances;
(b) a sentence should be similar to sentences imposed on similar offenders for similar offences committed in similar circumstances;
(c) where consecutive sentences are imposed, the combined sentence should not be unduly long or harsh;
(d) an offender should not be deprived of liberty, if less restrictive sanctions may be appropriate in the circumstances; and
(e) all available sanctions other than imprisonment that are reasonable in the circumstances should be considered for all offenders, with particular attention to the circumstances of aboriginal offenders.
1995, c. 22, s. 6; 1997, c. 23, s. 17; 2000, c. 12, s. 95; 2001, c. 32, s. 44(F), c. 41, s. 20; 2005, c. 32, s. 25.
Case was made on parole issue
Angela Hall, Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Premier Brad Wall said he had a "brief" opportunity to raise his government's concerns stemming from a controversial parole decision when the country's leaders met Monday in Ottawa.
While the meeting between premiers and Prime Minister Stephen Harper was geared toward the economy, Wall said he also spoke about potential changes his Saskatchewan Party government feels should be considered when it comes to the sentencing of repeat offenders and to the national parole system.
"The prime minister said he was very aware of our position, and I talked to him very briefly after the meeting and indicated that we may have some constructive suggestions with respect to the parole board and some of the consecutive sentencing," Wall said in an interview Monday as he prepared to return to Saskatchewan.
"He said he'd be more than receptive to hearing those so we'll advance them through our attorney general."
Wall had voiced concern last week in the wake of a National Parole Board decision that will see convicted Calgary child killer and multiple rapist Harold David Smeltzer released on day parole to a Regina halfway house.
Wall said the parole system may need to be examined, with improvements to how people are alerted about upcoming hearings, among other potential changes.
The premier also raised the issue of sentencing, suggesting that in certain circumstances people with multiple offences should receive consecutive sentences instead of sentences they can serve concurrently.
Wall acknowledged that any justice changes likely wouldn't happen quickly. But he called the opportunity to bring the province's position to Harper's attention "a good start."
Source: Case was made on parole issue
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Would Danny Williams be able to have the same conversation with Harper that Wall did?
Angela Hall, Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Premier Brad Wall said he had a "brief" opportunity to raise his government's concerns stemming from a controversial parole decision when the country's leaders met Monday in Ottawa.
While the meeting between premiers and Prime Minister Stephen Harper was geared toward the economy, Wall said he also spoke about potential changes his Saskatchewan Party government feels should be considered when it comes to the sentencing of repeat offenders and to the national parole system.
"The prime minister said he was very aware of our position, and I talked to him very briefly after the meeting and indicated that we may have some constructive suggestions with respect to the parole board and some of the consecutive sentencing," Wall said in an interview Monday as he prepared to return to Saskatchewan.
"He said he'd be more than receptive to hearing those so we'll advance them through our attorney general."
Wall had voiced concern last week in the wake of a National Parole Board decision that will see convicted Calgary child killer and multiple rapist Harold David Smeltzer released on day parole to a Regina halfway house.
Wall said the parole system may need to be examined, with improvements to how people are alerted about upcoming hearings, among other potential changes.
The premier also raised the issue of sentencing, suggesting that in certain circumstances people with multiple offences should receive consecutive sentences instead of sentences they can serve concurrently.
Wall acknowledged that any justice changes likely wouldn't happen quickly. But he called the opportunity to bring the province's position to Harper's attention "a good start."
Source: Case was made on parole issue
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Would Danny Williams be able to have the same conversation with Harper that Wall did?
G'Day Ron,
Perhaps a good start, but how long will Harpo sit on it before real justice is done.?
scratch
Personally with child sexual cases I think we need to take a less "Crime and punishment" and "fair is fair" or any other kind of mentality to this, and look at it from a pragmatic viewpoint.
Keeping him locked up in a prison is fairly worthless and expensive, he isn't going to be rehabilitated there.
Letting him go is a clear danger to public safety.
There is obviously something wrong in his brain that he was born with. The wiring is wrong. A flat out death penalty for having that condition would mean those born with that issue who want to be cured or seek help would never turn themselves in.
Its a big no-no for the scientific community to research rewiring peoples brains to change their sexual orientation. And yes this is an orientation in the strictest sense. This isn't just a fetish, thats why it can't be cured.
So we either need to invest heavily in researching how to fix the issue, or go to stage B. Build a specific colony for people with this illness. Up north would do fine. Let them have jobs (I imagine alot of telecommuniting and call center work) and houses and what not, just waaay the hell up north where trying to walk to somewhere with kids causes a fatal case of Hypothermia.
But releasing them into the general population is ridiculous.
Keeping him locked up in a prison is fairly worthless and expensive, he isn't going to be rehabilitated there.
Letting him go is a clear danger to public safety.
There is obviously something wrong in his brain that he was born with. The wiring is wrong. A flat out death penalty for having that condition would mean those born with that issue who want to be cured or seek help would never turn themselves in.
Its a big no-no for the scientific community to research rewiring peoples brains to change their sexual orientation. And yes this is an orientation in the strictest sense. This isn't just a fetish, thats why it can't be cured.
So we either need to invest heavily in researching how to fix the issue, or go to stage B. Build a specific colony for people with this illness. Up north would do fine. Let them have jobs (I imagine alot of telecommuniting and call center work) and houses and what not, just waaay the hell up north where trying to walk to somewhere with kids causes a fatal case of Hypothermia.
But releasing them into the general population is ridiculous.
Well Scratch...it's down to which Government officials and Government Agencies are willing to do
the right thing for the Public's safety vs. covering their own backsides from the sidelines. I'm
thinking specifically of our local Police Force, but not just it exclusively.
It's not in the papers or online yet, but it sounds like the 1/2-way house doesn't want the guy either,
and other government ministers (but not the minister of Corrections, Public Safety, & Policing I believe
so far, but I could be wrong...) are trying to block his release....citing zero ties to the community and
zero support system in a province where he has no family or friends, has never lived in or visited, and
didn't commit his crimes here.... Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
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Harold David Smeltzer - Update
Posted November 12th, 2008 by Tammy Robert
A quick update on Harold David Smeltzer - the child sex offender who raped little girls - murdering one of them - and is now about to be released on day parole into the community of Regina.
I want to say from the outset that my point is not to promote 'citizen justice'. I simply feel that Harold Smeltzer does not deserve to enjoy freedom ever again - regardless of how well-behaved he decided to be after he got caught. (See Kimmie's Law ~ Home for more information on Smeltzer.)
But it doesn't matter what I want, because he is going to be free very soon. We need to do everything we can do to protect our children which means being constanly vigilant. The stakes are too precious to 'hope' that Smeltzer can control himself. Being informed is key, so here's what I know...
First and most importantly - as of this morning Smeltzer is not yet in Regina.
The Regina Police Service have applied to the Saskatchewan Government's Public Disclosure Committee (PDC) for approval to release Smeltzer's information to the public - a current photo, physical description and the Regina neighbourhood he'll be living in.
The Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing are responsible for this committe. The PDC is required to meet once a month, but can organize expedited meetings within 2 - 3 days.
The Regina Police Service can disclose the current info on Smeltzer without the PDC's approval - but if they wait for it they cannot be sued if anything 'happens' to Smeltzer.
The Regina Police Service feel that since Smeltzer has not yet arrived in the Regina community, they have the time to go through the PDC process to minimize risk to their organization. However, if the Committee rejects their application, and they still feel strongly that Smeltzer poses a high risk to the community, the Regina Police can and will release the info.
When will the Regina Police Service have their answer? Only the Public Disclosure Committee knows - RPS confirmed they do not have a deadline for a response, and the Committee confirmed that they are not going to provide one.
As Gormley pointed out this morning, prisoner transfers of this nature can take anywhere from 1 - 3 weeks. The Smeltzer decision came down one week ago today, so the clock is ticking.
The responsibility lies with the provincial government - specifically Corrections, Public Safety and Pollicing to make sure this meeting takes place fast (all the contact details you need for that Ministry here - http://www.gov.sk.ca/ministries-list/ ) and we get the answer our kids deserve.
Harold David Smeltzer - Update | News Talk 980
Tammy Robert is the Executive Producer of 'The John Gormley Live Show' - listen live every weekday morning from 8.30am - 12.30pm on NewsTalk 650 or NewsTalk 980.
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AND YET: Child killer's release moving forward
Child killer's release moving forward
The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Regina Police Service announced Monday that while convicted child killer Harold David Smeltzer is not yet in Regina, its application to the Public Disclosure Committee about him is moving ahead.
Police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich said the public has expressed interest in wanting to know what's going on with Smeltzer, who's to serve his day parole in Regina.
"We felt it was important to advise people that that application process is continuing," said Popowich. "The Public Disclosure Committee is going to hear the application next week."
She said it was also important to let the public know that the individual is not currently in Regina.
"We've been advised that the process, the hearing of the application, will occur prior to the arrival of Mr. Smeltzer," explained Popowich.
Smeltzer is a convicted child killer and rapist from Alberta who was granted day parole earlier this month.
Smeltzer was convicted in 1981 of first-degree murder in the killing of five-year-old Kimberley Thompson of Calgary and the rapes of other females in southwest Calgary.
The Public Disclosure Committee is administered through the province's Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing. Popowich explained that the committee makes recommendations on what information the police can release to the public like a current photograph, a physical description, a statement of the individual's offending behaviour and conditions placed upon that person.
"So if anyone were to see that person in breach of a condition, they could report it to us," she said.
She explained that a police service can make an application for public disclosure in the case of an individual who has been convicted of certain serious offences and who poses a risk of harm to people in the community.
"We have time to seek a recommendation from the Public Disclosure Committee and make the appropriate decision in order to best enhance public safety," said Popowich. "We want people to be assured that we take public safety very, very seriously."
More information about the public disclosure process can be found online (Corrections, Public Safety and Policing - Government of Saskatchewan).
The impression I get is that the public's safety is taking the back seat to the Police Department
covering their own backside agaist financial liability. Am I reading this wrong?????