Ken and Barbie Killers: Before the Nightmare
Karel and Dorothy Homolka were thrilled to be the parents of three beautiful daughters: Karla, Lori, and Tammy Lyn. They settled in St. Catharines, Ontario, leading a regular and humble life until Christmas Eve in 1990.
From a young age, Karla Leanne was captivated by the idea of a happily ever after. She collected Barbie dolls, dressing and undressing them, and creating her own fairytales. She dreamed of a perfect husband, home, and life, much like Barbie. She spent many peaceful hours in her imaginative world, which later turned into horrific nightmares.
Barbie Dolls and Happily Ever Afters
Dolls symbolize a child’s aspirations and dreams, allowing them to create vivid worlds and relationships by dressing the doll in fancy clothes and playing out romantic fantasies. However, dolls are also used in settings with one-way mirrors, where children may act out negative experiences on the doll, providing experts with insights into potential mistreatment. Mistreatment, however, is not limited to children.

At 17 years old, the petite blonde’s life took a fateful turn when she met her now-infamous partner, Paul Kenneth Bernardo, at a hotel restaurant. Karla was staying at the same hotel for a business convention with a friend from her pet store. During their time at the restaurant, Paul and his friend joined the girls’ table, leading to a steamy flirtation between Karla and Paul. Eventually, Karla and Paul retired to her hotel room where they engaged in a passionate lovemaking session, leaving their friends feeling uncomfortable and awkwardly observing.
When Karla Met Paul: A Dark Turning Point
Despite the significant age gap of six years, Karla’s fondness for Paul only grew stronger. He possessed all the qualities she had been seeking in a partner: handsome, charming, accomplished, and devoted to his career. In her eyes, he was the perfect candidate to fulfill her lifelong romantic aspirations. Even if they had initial misgivings about their daughter’s choice of partner, Karl and Dorothy Homolka soon embraced Paul as a member of their household and welcomed him with open arms. So much so that Dorothy affectionately referred to him as her “weekend son.” The beginning of Canada’s Ken and Barbie Killers.

Paul’s life was never destined for a “happily ever after.” He suffered mental and emotional abuse from his mother, which led to voyeuristic urges during his teenage years. These tendencies escalated into stalking women at parks and bus stops, where he would forcibly place them in bushes to be sexually assaulted. Paul’s criminal history began on May 4, 1987, with his first known rape.
Paul Bernardo: A Legacy of Abuse and Voyeurism
By the time he started dating Karla, he had committed numerous sexual crimes and was known as the “Scarborough Rapist” by September 1995. When he captured his victims, he demanded they call him “King” and repeat that he could do anything with their bodies. His friends recognized him in a composite sketch released by authorities, and his DNA was taken for processing. However, due to the early stages of forensic science, the results took a long time to return.
Bernardo claims he told Karla about his past as a rapist early in their relationship. Karla reportedly found this “cool.” To impress her older, more experienced partner, Karla gave him handcuffs and suggested bondage experiments. She allowed him to gag her, put a dog collar on her neck, and engage in strangulation play during sex. However, her adventurous nature didn’t fully satisfy him, as he was interested in virgins.
“Call Me King”: The Modus Operandi of a Rapist
Karla Homolka’s past sexual experiences failed to earn her boyfriend, Paul Bernardo’s, forgiveness. When Paul expressed his desire to take Karla’s youngest sister, Tammy’s, virginity, Karla reluctantly agreed. Sources close to the couple indicate that Paul blamed Karla for not being able to offer him her own virginity and demanded Tammy’s instead. This was an ultimatum, as Paul threatened to take Tammy by force if Karla refused. With a growing criminal record and a tendency towards violence, Karla felt she had little choice but to comply with Paul’s demands.
“She had really thought this thing with Tammy through. After all, she did not want to kill her own sister; she just wanted to knock her out and give her to Paul for Christmas. They sedated animals before they put them to sleep for surgery, so it should be all right to do it to her sister. There was some risk without the proper equipment — she would have to put the halothane on a cloth and hold it over Tammy’s face — but she would make sure Tammy had plenty of air and check her breathing regularly.”
Stephen Williams in his book “Unknown Darkness“
A truly organized rape, as only a thoughtful sister could plan, was about to unfold. It was the most thought-out and organized rape ever.
Fuelling the Fire: Karla’s Attempts to Satisfy Paul
As an employee of a veterinary clinic, Karla Homolka had free access to various surgical-quality sedatives. One such sedative, Halothane, a powerful inhalational general anesthetic, caught her attention. She observed the veterinarian using it to euthanize animals before surgery. Without hesitation, she stole a significant supply of the drug and set into motion an unfathomable plan.
On December 23, 1990, Paul Bernardo informed Karla that they were doing it tonight, signalling the beginning of their heinous actions.

With a calculated plan in place, Karla Homolka added sleeping pills, powdered to a fine consistency, to her baby sister Tammy’s spaghetti, a specialty of their elder sibling. The family indulged in Christmas cheer, unaware that Tammy would soon begin speaking incoherently and seeing double due to her age and lack of alcohol experience. When the rest of the family decided to retire for the night, Tammy expressed a desire to watch a movie with Karla and Paul. They settled on “Lisa and the Devil” and watched approximately 20 minutes before Tammy passed out unconscious. In no time, Karla and her partner seized the opportunity to exploit their plan.
The Unforgivable Act: Targeting Tammy’s Innocence

In a horrifying and reprehensible incident, Paul Bernardo repeatedly raped Tammy Lyn while his girlfriend, Karla Homolka, held a Halothane-soaked rag over the young girl’s nose and mouth to ensure she remained unconscious during the assault. Despite Karla’s urgings for him to use a condom and finish quickly, Paul ignored her. After his brutal attack, he coerced Karla into performing oral sex on her unconscious sister, disregarding her initial refusal.
After the terrifying assault on Tammy Lyn, Paul Bernardo had documented the entire incident on film. However, the couple soon encountered a grave issue. Tammy started vomiting and choking, eventually stopping to breathe altogether. Karla regretted that her sister had eaten before this happened, but she knew the procedure. She applied a technique from the veterinary clinic, holding her sister upside down to clear her throat, similar to how they would with an animal.
The only issue was that Tammy tragically choked to death. Their inept attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful, so they dressed her, concealed their drugs and camera, and called an ambulance. The first indication Tammy and Karla’s parents had of this disaster was the sound of the ambulance arriving at the house. Everyone was misled into believing that Tammy had died from accidentally choking on her vomit. Unfortunately, the autopsy conducted on her remains was inadequate, leading to her untimely death being classified as a regrettable accident. This result enabled Paul and Karla to evade justice and continue targeting young virgins. With Tammy no longer useful to him, Paul sought a replacement.
The Nuptial Present
Karla Homolka’s relentless fixation on her partner Paul Bernardo’s happiness had reached an extraordinary degree. The dread of losing the captivating and unpredictable man who was soon to be her husband dominated her mind. Whenever Paul showed signs of boredom or distraction, Karla sought out new ways or even people to thrill him.
Blaming Karla for Tammy Lyn’s death, Paul frequently complained that he could no longer be intimate with her. Consequently, Karla attempted to replace her deceased sister with someone equally young and innocent, eventually choosing a teenage girl who resembled Tammy, whom we will refer to as Jane. In a disturbing gesture, Jane was intended as a twisted wedding gift to Paul, serving as the chosen replacement for Tammy.
Captivated by Karla Homolka’s captivating personality and elegant lifestyle, Jane began to admire her newfound friend immensely. Feeling deeply grateful, Jane eagerly accepted Karla’s invitation to visit the 57 Bayview residence she shared with Paul Bernardo. The initial evening at the house was anything but ordinary, as Karla treated Jane to dinner and engaged her in hours of charming conversation, accompanied by sweet alcoholic drinks secretly laced with Halcion tablets. As the powerful drug took effect, Jane lost consciousness, falling into a deep slumber.

With Jane deeply asleep, Karla Homolka contacted her partner, Paul Bernardo, to unveil the surprise she had been waiting to share. Upon noticing Jane’s striking resemblance to Tammy Lyn, Paul felt a mix of unexpected pleasure and slight unease, recognizing the same drug used to incapacitate Tammy. Karla reassured him, promising to have complete control over the situation. Once Jane was undressed, Paul Bernardo used his camera to document Karla Homolka’s sexual advances on the unconscious girl. Afterward, he recorded himself taking Jane’s virginity. He then engaged in his preferred act of brutal anal sex. Fortunately, Jane remained deeply asleep throughout the entire horrific ordeal due to the potency of the drugs.
After their brutal session, Karla Homolka was tasked with cleaning the blood from the battered 15-year-old Jane and preparing her for rest. The next morning, in discomfort and nausea, Jane met Paul Bernardo, whom she believed to be a stranger. Unaware of the horrific act she had endured, Jane couldn’t understand what had happened with the infamous couple. Although satisfied with Jane’s virginity, Paul Bernardo began to doubt his future with Karla Homolka. Despite being intrigued by her eagerness to please him, he became increasingly disenchanted with the idea of marrying a woman over 21. Additionally, Paul discovered that Karla was not the virgin he desired, further complicating his feelings.
Less than two months after Tammy’s death, Karla wrote the following in a letter to her friend, Debbie Purdie:
“Fuck my parents. They are being so stupid. Only thinking of themselves. My father doesn’t even want us to have a wedding anymore. He thinks we should just go to City Hall. Screw that! We’re having a good time. If he wants to sit at home and be miserable, he’s welcome to.
He hasn’t worked except for one day since Tammy died. He’s wallowing in his own misery and fucking me! It sounds awful on paper (but I know you’ll really see what I’m saying).
Tammy always said last year that she wanted a forest green Porsche for her 16th birthday. Now my dad keeps saying: ‘I would have bought it for her, if I’d only known.’ That’s bull. If he really felt like that he’d be paying for my wedding because I could die tomorrow, or next year, or whenever?
He’s such a liar.”
Karla Homolka – Letter to Debbie
Opulent Wedding
Despite his apprehension, he went ahead and married Karla in a grand, extravagant wedding. They had everything needed for a perfect wedding: the old church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, picturesque white horses with a carriage, a champagne toast to happiness, and a sit-down dinner for 150 people featuring veal-stuffed pheasant at Queen’s Landing – no expense was spared. Paul meticulously attended to every detail of Karla’s wedding, from her $2,000 dress and hairstyle to the food. He even insisted that “love, honour and obey” be included in her vows. He refused to be pronounced “husband and wife,” insisting instead on being called “man and wife” by the minister.
Moving Up To Murder: A Twisted Display Of Power And Sadism
After marrying, Karla and Paul Bernardo settled into their home on Bayview Avenue in St. Catharines. To earn extra income, Paul started smuggling cigarettes across the border, which led him to acquire license plates to conceal his frequent trips between Canada and the United States. This activity introduced him to his first murder victim, Leslie Mahaffy. Leslie was a troubled teenager, known for her independent and assertive nature, which led to problems such as ignoring curfews, promiscuity, skipping classes, and shoplifting.
Her parents were strict when she disobeyed their rules. On the night of Friday, June 14, 1991, Leslie went out with friends and stayed past her curfew. At 2 a.m., she discovered she was locked out of her house. She called a friend to ask if she could stay over, but her friend was concerned her mother might not agree due to the late hour. Leslie decided to return home to try and wake her parents.
Leslie returned home to find a way in without disturbing her parents. Unfortunately, she encountered Paul Bernardo, who was in the neighbourhood stealing license plates. He threatened her with a knife and forced her into his car. After abducting Leslie, Paul brought the 14-year-old home while Karla Homolka slept. In a disturbing pattern, Paul filmed Leslie in a vulnerable state, blindfolded and exposed. When Karla saw the aftermath, she was angry with Paul for using their best champagne glasses during his actions. However, Karla eventually conformed to their disturbing relationship, fulfilling her role as an obliging wife according to Paul’s demands.

In a twisted display of power and sadism, Paul Bernardo provided his wife Karla Homolka with meticulous and elaborate instructions on how to engage in sexual acts with their captive, Leslie. More akin to a film director directing a critical scene than to a human being engaging in sexual intercourse, Paul demanded that every moment be executed with precision for the ongoing videotape recording of their exploitation. Karla followed her husband’s orders without hesitation, participating in an initial prelude before making way for Paul’s more violent advances. While Karla filmed the abhorrent proceedings, Paul carried out brutal anal penetration that caused Leslie to scream out in agony.
However, Paul’s savage actions didn’t stop there. He further escalated his attacks, ultimately leading to Leslie’s untimely demise. Bernardo beat, raped, and sodomized her for about 24 hours before strangling her with an electrical cord. The prosecutor said Bernardo then disposed of the evidence by butchering Mahaffy’s body in his basement with an electric circular saw, encasing the body parts in cement blocks, and dumping them in a nearby lake. “It’s done,” he told his fiancée and accomplice, Karla Homolka, when he picked her up after work that day.

On June 29, 1991, a husband and wife were canoeing on Lake Gibson when they stumbled upon a concrete block containing pieces of animal flesh. Later that evening, with the help of a fisherman, they successfully extracted the block and began a closer examination. Upon scrutinizing it, they discovered the calf and foot of a young woman, confirming the horrifying realization that a heinous crime had taken place. This discovery immediately prompted law enforcement officials to initiate a thorough investigation, seeking to uncover critical leads surrounding this heinous act.
Following the discovery of five abandoned concrete blocks in the shallow waters of Lake Gibson, law enforcement officials swiftly descended upon the area. Preliminary assessments indicated that the perpetrator was unfamiliar with the vicinity, as they had neglected to take precautions such as disposing of the blocks over the bridge, where they could have remained unnoticed for an extended period. Shortly after this revelation, investigators made another critical discovery: the torso of a young woman had been found in the water.
Upon further inspection and based on expert analysis, it was determined that the body parts encased in the concrete block had been forcefully cut from her torso using a power saw. With Leslie’s unique braces, detectives were able to identify the victim and launched an intense investigation into this gruesome crime.
Jane Was Far From The Ideal Sex Slave.
In the absence of his peculiar indulgences, Paul Bernardo’s temperament became increasingly unstable. This unacceptable behaviour prompted his dutiful wife, Karla Homolka, to call upon Jane Doe once again. However, Jane’s role as a sex slave proved far from optimal due to her protest against engaging in intercourse with Paul, claiming to have been a virgin. Consequently, Paul resorted to accepting only oral sexual practices from Jane.
The situation worsened when she shared this information with her horse-riding instructor, who then told Jane’s mother, leading to fewer opportunities with Jane. One night, despite being given halothane to calm the young girl, Jane had difficulty breathing, nearly resulting in tragedy. This left Paul and Karla filled with fear and dread. Additionally, Paul grew frustrated with his new wife, questioning her ability to handle the halothane. Karla was desperate to rekindle romance in their relationship. After a brief respite, when another young woman fulfilled their desires before moving to Youngstown, Ohio, Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka were left without their preferred entertainment, further straining their already fragile relationship and causing immense tension for Karla.
On November 30, 1991, fourteen-year-old Terri Anderson vanished. Her body was found six months later in Port Dalhousie. Despite the challenges of examining a body submerged for so long, the Medical Examiner found no evidence of foul play. The coroner concluded Terri likely drowned, possibly due to beer and LSD consumption. This verdict sparked controversy, especially in relation to the abduction and murder of Leslie Mahaffy. It remains undetermined if Terri was another victim of Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo.
Kristen French Abducted From Church Parking Lot
In April 1992, Kristin French, a popular and attractive teenager, was abducted from a church parking lot. Karla Homolka lured her under the pretence of needing directions. Once close, Paul Bernardo threatened her with a knife and dragged her into the car while Karla restrained her. The couple knew Kristen’s fate was sealed. Her observations about their appearance, home address, and pet dog worried them, and they realized they had to prevent her from understanding the danger. This was crucial as Kristen was physically strong, despite being younger than Karla.

During her traumatic ordeal, Kristen French demonstrated remarkable ingenuity and presence of mind as she attempted to comply with her captors’ twisted demands. She understood that adhering to their heinous and demeaning demands was her only chance of survival, but as she continued, the severity of the torture increased. Paul Bernardo’s treatment of Kristen exemplified an alarming escalation of sadistic cruelty, as illustrated in an excerpt from Stephen Williams’ book “Unknown Darkness” featuring videotaped activity captured by the couple.
“‘I’m going to piss on you, okay? Then I’m going to shit on you.’ Paul said in a whisper… Kristen did not move, even when he slapped her face with his semi-erect penis.
“‘Don’t make me mad. Don’t make me hurt you,’ he said, urging her to smile when he rubbed his groin into her face.
“‘Don’t worry, I won’t piss in your face.’
“Finally, he stood over her and urinated. Then he moved. Turning his buttocks into her face, he squatted over her face and tried to defecate on her without success.
“‘You’re a f–king piece of shit. But I like you,’ he told her. ‘You look good covered in piss.'”
Excerpt from Stephen Williams in his book Unknown Darkness
Kristen French endured a degrading and brutalizing forty-eight-hour ordeal, all meticulously recorded on video for her captors’ entertainment. Leslie Mahaffy met a similar fate, subjected to rapes, beatings, verbal humiliation, and eventual strangulation with the same electrical cord. However, Kristen’s ultimate fate was the most egregious indignity of all. The discovery of her naked corpse in a roadside ditch on April 30, 1992, led investigators to mistakenly assume her murder was unrelated to Mahaffy’s.
Green Ribbon Task Force
As Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka continued their reign of terror in St. Catharines, the epicentre of the police investigation, the investigation expanded to Niagara Falls. The discovery of Leslie Mahaffy’s remains led Superintendent Vince Bevan to take charge of the probe. Once Kristen French’s murder was added to the grim toll, the Government of Ontario created the Green Ribbon Task Force. This task force established hotlines, installed a vital operations centre just outside St. Catharines, and requested forensic experts from the renowned American FBI to provide their expertise.
Following Kristen French’s disappearance, an eyewitness recalled observing a violent altercation inside the vehicle at the scene. Although the witness lacked proficiency in distinguishing between different automobile models, she believed it was a Camaro. In light of this information, Superintendent Vince Bevan directed the tracking and tracing of all Camaro owners within the area as part of his investigation.
As the police investigation continued, a tip once again highlighted Paul Bernardo’s involvement in the crimes. Two officers visited him at his home at 57 Bayview. During the questioning, Paul was extremely polite and open about his previous identification as a suspect due to his facial resemblance to the police composite. The officers noted his exceptional physical appearance and the immaculate state of his home. Additionally, they observed that the car Paul drove was a Nissan, which was very different from a Camaro.
Remarkably, several years passed before the forensic laboratory in Toronto finally evaluated Paul Bernardo’s blood samples in February 1993. The tests provided irrefutable evidence linking Bernardo to the rape of three women, with DNA from semen samples confirming his guilt. The irony is that if the analysis had been expedited, Bernardo might have been convicted earlier, preventing further harm and the murders of several schoolgirls. Despite this, Detective Irwin remained determined to apprehend Bernardo, initiating intense surveillance. However, his efforts were overshadowed by the news that Bernardo faced assault charges from his wife, Karla, in St. Catharines.

Experts have long expressed concern that children who play violently with their toys may need monitoring in their human interactions. Paul, despite being beyond childhood, was no exception. In the summer of 1992, his abusive behaviour towards his wife Karla threatened his future. Although Karla had previously tolerated his erratic behaviour, she reached her breaking point after enduring his physical abuse. Despite suffering two black eyes and severe bruises, she remained loyal.
His attacks on his Barbie bride escalated from verbal abuse to assault, and in January 1993, Karla visited the emergency room with bruised skin and broken ribs. Karla’s parents convinced her to leave Paul and seek refuge at the home of a friend of her sister Lori, who was married to a Toronto police officer. Relief came when a DNA sample Paul had provided two years earlier was processed, linking him to the Scarborough Rapist case. This set the stage for a meeting between Karla, the police, and officers working on the murder file.
By early February, as the police investigation into Paul intensified, both the Toronto police and the Ontario Green Ribbon Task Force sought to interview Karla. They aimed to fingerprint her and inquire about a Mickey Mouse watch similar to Kristen French’s. Karla participated in a nearly five-hour interview with several Toronto detectives. The questions made her increasingly uneasy as she realized the police had linked the Scarborough rapes to the St. Catharines murders. Overwhelmed by the situation, Karla confided in her uncle that Paul was the notorious serial rapist responsible for the crimes against Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
Karla hired the renowned defence attorney George Walker after her involvement in the heinous crimes. Her previous work as a veterinary assistant and exceptional care for Walker’s cancer-afflicted Dalmatian led to their professional relationship. After meeting with her several times, Walker realized that Karla’s account of events did not portray her as an innocent victim of Paul Bernardo.

However, he was unaware of her full role in the horrific crimes. With the possibility of immunity in exchange for complete cooperation discussed, Walker was uncertain about the feasibility and what plea bargain could be negotiated for his client. In mid-February, Bernardo was arrested for the Scarborough rapes and the murders of Mahaffy and French. Karla was shocked and fearful, coping with her anxieties through large amounts of painkillers and alcohol.
Astonishing Proof
On February 19, search warrants for Paul and Karla’s residence led to the discovery of compelling evidence. Paul had meticulously documented each of the Scarborough rapes that had occurred, and owned an extensive collection of books, videos, and pornography related to sexually deviant content and serial murderers.
Among the significant findings at the Bernardo residence was a short home video that suggested more than one household member had deviant proclivities. The graphic footage explicitly depicted Karla engaging in enthusiastic sexual activity with two women, showcasing her apparent fondness for same-sex encounters.
A week later, prominent defence attorney George Walker and Murray Segal, a plea-bargaining specialist for the attorney general, discussed a potential deal for Karla. The proposed agreement included a twelve-year prison sentence for each of the two victims, Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, which would be served concurrently.

If Karla behaved well, she could become eligible for parole in just over three years. To improve her chances, the government agreed to advocate on her behalf by contacting the parole board and highlighting her testimony against Paul. Segal also expressed a willingness to ensure that Karla served her sentence in a psychiatric hospital rather than a conventional prison setting.
The trial itself was expected to be brief, and Karla chose to forego her right to a preliminary hearing.
As part of the agreed-upon deal, Karla was obligated to reveal the truth about her contributions to the heinous crimes and disclose any pertinent information she knew. Without hesitation, she consented to the arrangement, which would ultimately lead to a significantly reduced sentence. In early March, Karla underwent an evaluation at a psychiatric hospital. During this time, she was prescribed heavy medication, but she requested higher dosages. Eventually, Karla found the courage to write a profound letter to her parents:
Dear Mom, Dad and Lori,
This is the hardest letter I’ve ever had to write and you’ll probably all hate me once you read it. I’ve kept this inside myself for so long and I just can’t lie to you any more. Both Paul and I are responsible for Tammy’s death. Paul was “in love” with her and wanted to have sex with her. He wanted me to help him. He wanted me to get sleeping pills from work to drug her with. He threatened me and physically and emotionally abused me when I refused.
No words I can say can make you understand what he put me through. So stupidly I agreed to do as he said. But something maybe the combination of drugs and the food she ate that night caused her to vomit. I tried so hard to save her. I am so sorry. But no words I can say can bring her back I would gladly give my life for hers. I don’t expect you to ever forgive me, for I will never forgive myself.
Karla — XOXO
Canada’s Ken And Barbie Killers Creating A Tone
The eagerly anticipated trial of Karla Homolka began on June 28, 1993 and created a flurry of media attention. Burnside and Cairns described the defendant’s overall demeanour in vivid detail:
“Karla sat unemotionally in the courtroom, donning a green jacket over an excessively large, baggy one-piece green dress that did little to flatter her slender shoulders. She completed the outfit with black heels adorned with a slight heel. The attire she chose for this occasion was notably different from her previous court appearance, in which she wore a skirt and blazer resembling a schoolgirl’s uniform. Despite her matronly appearance, her fashion choices starkly contrasted with the deep-red lipstick, excessive application of makeup, and false eyelashes framing her face. To those observing, Karla appeared akin to a mature Lolita.”
Deadly Innocence: The True Story of Paul Bernardo, Karla Homolka, and the Schoolgirl Murders by Scott Burnside & Alan Cairns
Dr. Malcolm, the appointed psychologist, played a crucial role in shaping the plea-bargain agreement by producing Karla’s clinical assessment report. The report provided valuable insights into Karla’s state of mind during the time of the offences. Dr. Malcolm concluded that, in his professional opinion, Karla was aware of the ongoing events but was rendered entirely powerless and unable to intervene on her behalf or anyone else’s. Her extreme apprehension had impaired her ability to take prompt action, leading to unwavering subservience.
At the end of the trial, the media left, allowing only a few details to be reported. This was done to prevent the jury pool for Paul’s trial from being tainted by information they had heard or read before the trial.
Expecting a public outcry over the plea bargain, Murray Segal chose to make a statement:
“Why not a greater penalty in light of the horrendous facts? Without her, the true state of affairs might never be known. A guilty plea is the traditional hallmark of remorse. Her age, her lack of criminal record, the abuse and the influence of her husband, and her somewhat secondary role were factors. She’s unlikely to re-offend.”
Karla left the trial after receiving the agreed sentence and prepared herself for what was sure to be an ordeal — the trial of her husband, Paul Bernardo.
X-Rated
Paul Bernardo’s trial faced significant delays due to various legal issues over two years post-arrest. A major setback occurred when Bernardo put his initial attorney, Ken Murray, in an ethical dilemma. Bernardo gave Murray explicit videos he and Karla had made, with the condition they never be used as evidence. Unbeknownst to Bernardo, the prosecution was already aware of the tapes through Karla and wiretapped conversations between Murray and Bernardo. Under mounting pressure, Murray eventually handed over the videos to the prosecution and withdrew from the case. Experienced defence lawyer John Rosen then took over Bernardo’s representation, causing a substantial one-year delay in starting the trial.

In May 1995, Bernardo’s trial commenced in Judge Patrick LeSage’s courtroom, with videotapes serving as pivotal pieces of evidence. Bernardo faced a staggering array of charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated sexual assault, two counts of forcible confinement, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of performing an indignity on a human body.
For two years, the case remained tightly sealed, despite sordid details leaking into the American press. Copies of newspapers were smuggled into Canada, fueling public interest. Prosecutor Ray Houlahan commenced the trial with a full-day narrative of Karla’s life as a victim of the controlling and sadistic Bernardo. Houlahan portrayed Karla as a brainwashed and frightened accomplice to the most degrading criminal acts.
The courtroom was electrified as Crown prosecutor Ray Houlahan began with a segment showing Karla naked, masturbating, with the camera focused on her vagina. Nick Pron, in Lethal Marriage, vividly describes the electrifying impact of this video on the courtroom.
Nick Pron in Lethal Marriage describes the electrifying effect the video had on the courtroom:
“Gasps of surprise and disgust, perhaps even shock, along with plenty of embarrassed giggles, could be heard throughout the courtroom as the camera lingered on Homolka’s exposed body for several minutes as she stimulated herself… For the previous two years, ever since her arrest, Homolka’s face had been almost as well known as the prime minister’s. She had been seen on television in footage taken at her wedding, with her friends, and at her trial. But few people in the courtroom that day were expecting to see a triple X-rated tape, a close study of the country’s most infamous woman in a variety of sexually explicit positions.”
Sex Slaves
Houlahan revealed that Bernardo orchestrated the conversations in the videos, showcasing his control over Karla. As various recordings of Leslie, Kristen, and Jane were presented, the jury witnessed undeniable evidence of Paul Bernardo’s perverse behaviour. Additionally, Karla was summoned to explain the scenes and discourse they had just encountered.
Karla Homolka’s testimony was devastating, revealing a disturbing pattern of sexual exploitation and abuse that mirrored Bernardo’s behaviour with former girlfriends. She admitted to willingly and eagerly complying with his escalating demands for degradation. These demands had no bounds, and he subjected her to horrifying ordeals, including wearing a dog’s “choke” collar, undergoing penetration by a wine bottle, and nearly strangling her to death with a wire cord in pursuit of his twisted fantasies.
Despite Karla’s emotional turmoil, Bernardo maintained that his choke fetish was “important” to him and posed no harm. His venomous approach left no trace of self-worth in her mind, as he relentlessly abused her with words like “slut,” “bitch,” and “cunt,” asserting that she was nothing without him.
During the defense’s presentation in court, John Rosen launched a scathing attack on Karla Homolka’s credibility. His goal was to challenge her portrayal of herself as a victim and present her as an active participant in the couple’s reprehensible killing spree. While he may not have succeeded in establishing her as an active participant, he was successful in portraying Karla as a morally bankrupt individual who disregarded the gravity of her actions.
In fact, he pointed out how Kristen’s murder was conveniently timed so that Karla and Paul could spend Easter dinner with her parents. Immediately after committing the heinous act, Karla left to blow-dry her hair, showcasing a callous lack of humanity. This, coupled with her clever manipulation of circumstances to secure a highly unfavourable deal for the Canadian government with a criminal witness, made her a truly despicable character.
Regardless of the complexities of Karla Homolka’s complicity and the bargain she made with the legal system, it failed to protect Paul Bernardo from the intense resentment that lingered in the hearts of the jurors. Consequently, on September 1, 1995, Bernardo was found guilty on all counts related to the abductions, rapes, and murders of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French. He also faced additional trials concerning Tammy Homolka’s death and his relentless serial rapes in Scarborough. While Canadian law permits Bernardo to apply for parole after serving 25 years of his sentence, the prospect of him succeeding in any such pleas seems highly unlikely.
“DEAL WITH THE DEVIL”
Even after the trial, Canada’s most polarizing and infamous criminal case remained at the forefront of public consciousness. The primary talking point was the 1993 agreement prosecutors struck with Karla Homolka. In exchange for her cooperation and testimony against her husband Paul Bernardo, she would receive a 12-year jail term. This arrangement, dubbed “a deal with the devil,” sparked outrage and disgust among the public.
As the years in prison dragged on, the hostile relationship between Canada’s Ken and Barbie killers intensified. They accused each other of murdering Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French. Paul Bernardo prepared for his appeal in 2000, while Karla made plans for her pending parole in 2001. Her lawyers spent much of the intervening time trying to get approval for visits to a halfway house, but their appeals were denied.
Canadians have widely expressed a negative perception of Karla Homolka since her crimes became known to the public, suggesting she is nothing more than a skilled schemer. One journalist aptly articulated this perspective when they wrote:
“In the unremittingly bleak and featureless prairie that is her mind, she has always been a special little girl, and so, apparently, there does she remain. I remember her licking her lips for the camera, during one of the rapes. I remember how once — this while Leslie was being attacked in another part of the house — Homolka sat upstairs in her bedroom, reading and then drifted off to sleep. It was not that her conscience was clear, it was that she never had one.”