Brad Cooper Indicted

[jilly]

I'm not sure if that is an option. Because LWOP in the USA, from what I understand, means you never get out again. A life sentence in Canada is 25 years max and then you get out, unless you're deemed a dangerous offender. Would the US look at that as a reduction in his sentence if they transferred him here?

I wonder if any of the posters who are more familiar with case law know about something like this and how it would work?

Thinking about it more....I would guess the US would have to agree. I, too thought that 25 yrs was max unless you were designated a DO but then David Ennis had his parole hearing after 25 yrs last week and parole was denied. It must depend on the crime - he was a mass murderer.

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/red...nal/Mass_murdering_monster_denied_parole.html

It's confusing.

 

[RKAB]

It must depend on the crime - he was a mass murderer.
It's confusing.

I wonder if he was declared a dangerous offender? Then parole can be continually denied and your confinement can be extended until you're eligible to apply again. Like Paul Bernardo...pretty sure he'll never be out either.

 

[jilly]

I wonder if he was declared a dangerous offender? Then parole can be continually denied and your confinement can be extended until you're eligible to apply again. Like Paul Bernardo...pretty sure he'll never be out either.

I get ya - same as Clifford Olsen. I don't think Ennis was designated though. Like I said....confusing.

 

[CentralAlberta]

Will he still get his US citizenship now that he is a criminal? I am quite certain he wouldn't be able to become a Canadian if were the other way around.

 

[Star12]

Will he still get his US citizenship now that he is a criminal? I am quite certain he wouldn't be able to become a Canadian if were the other way around.

I was wondering the same thing. Also...would he still want to?

 

[jilly]

Will he still get his US citizenship now that he is a criminal? I am quite certain he wouldn't be able to become a Canadian if were the other way around.

He's not a criminal yet, but, I would think his application would be on hold right now! Cisco's probably looking at terminating his employment, so he wouldn't even have a job.

 

[reddress58]

If I had to guess, IMO I bet they won't go after the DP. He has no prior convinctions and has two young children. Until this point, he was an upstanding contributor to society. Also, I think it was a pre-meditated act as in he strangled her but didn't pre-plan it. That may make a difference

Really interested to see how they'll determine his citizenship and how it will affect the sentencing. IF, of course, he is found guilty.

 

[raisincharlie]

If I had to guess, IMO I bet they won't go after the DP. He has no prior convinctions and has two young children. Until this point, he was an upstanding contributor to society. Also, I think it was a pre-meditated act as in he strangled her but didn't pre-plan it. That may make a difference

Really interested to see how they'll determine his citizenship and how it will affect the sentencing. IF, of course, he is found guilty.

Seems to me that there is a strong possibility the case is being considered for the DP - otherwise there isn't much point assigning a death qualified lawyer via the Capital Defender's office. I wouldn't rule it out just yet, it is obviously on someone's mind, we just know who's mind yet. I would think however the DA may give some thought to the feelings of the Rentz's as would be normal to consult the victim's family. DA's don't always listen though, especially if the evidence is strong. 108 days from murder to indictment - LE had something pretty strong to hand over IMO.

 

[CentralAlberta]

Just found this excerpt, link below:

Nov 7, 2007
"Canada’s minister of public safety, Stockwell Day, announced on November 1 that Canada will no longer seek clemency for Canadians facing the death penalty in the United States. His remarks came in response to questions about Ronald Allen Smith, a Canadian-born man facing execution by lethal injection in Montana."

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/11/07/canada17275.htm

I was in support of the DP until now. I would like BC to sit in a jail cell and think about what he has done and wonder what his two daughter are like. Whatever sentence he gets I hope he stays in the US :behindbar & not returned to "Club Fed". According to the following link on the Govn. of Canada web site Canadians can still apply to be transfered to "Club Fed."

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/imprisoned_abroad-en.asp#6

 

[reddress58]

Seems to me that there is a strong possibility the case is being considered for the DP - otherwise there isn't much point assigning a death qualified lawyer via the Capital Defender's office. I wouldn't rule it out just yet, it is obviously on someone's mind, we just know who's mind yet. I would think however the DA may give some thought to the feelings of the Rentz's as would be normal to consult the victim's family. DA's don't always listen though, especially if the evidence is strong. 108 days from murder to indictment - LE had something pretty strong to hand over IMO.

I didn't consider the lawyer qualifications. I assumed they picked Kurtz only because he was already familiar with the case and would save the state some $$. But, your point is valid.

 

[raisincharlie]

I didn't consider the lawyer qualifications. I assumed they picked Kurtz only because he was already familiar with the case and would save the state some $$. But, your point is valid.

I agree the selection of Kurtz has merit because of familiarity and an end savings. However, coming from the Capital Defender's office opens the possibility. If it wasn't a possibility the Public Defender could have handled the assignment of lawyers to the case. Only two possibilities for Murder 1, LWOP or DP. More math - 50/50 either way. And for some reason I have this gut feeling, we don't know the half of it actually.

 

[reddress58]

I was in support of the DP until now. I would like BC to sit in a jail cell and think about what he has done and wonder what his two daughter are like. Whatever sentence he gets I hope he stays in the US :behindbar & not returned to "Club Fed". According to the following link on the Govn. of Canada web site Canadians can still apply to be transfered to "Club Fed."

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/imprisoned_abroad-en.asp#6

Very early in childhood I established this belief that Canadians were the most peaceful and most friendly people in the world. I can't imagine there being "bad guy" Canadians who actually must "attend" Club Fed but it certainly isn't surprising to me Canadian law is more leinent than US. It's funny how old impressions stick with you into adulthood.

Guess my little world was shattered by Brad C.

 

[reddress58]

I agree the selection of Kurtz has merit because of familiarity and an end savings. However, coming from the Capital Defender's office opens the possibility. If it wasn't a possibility the Public Defender could have handled the assignment of lawyers to the case. Only two possibilities for Murder 1, LWOP or DP. More math - 50/50 either way. And for some reason I have this gut feeling, we don't know the half of it actually.

However, I can't see the Rentz family requesting the DP either. That's just my gut feeling. I think they'll think in terms of Bella & Katie.

 

[CyberPro]

Very early in childhood I established this belief that Canadians were the most peaceful and most friendly people in the world. I can't imagine there being "bad guy" Canadians who actually must "attend" Club Fed; but it certainly isn't surprising to me Canadian law is more leinent than US. It's funny how old impressions stick with you into adulthood.

Guess my little world was shattered by Brad C.

RD,

Don't be ridiculous! Of course there are bad guys in Canada! I mean, look they have the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who "Always get their man!" and as a kid I used to watch Dudley Doright, I cannot count the number of times that he had to save Nell from the evil intentions of Snidely Whiplash....

J/K of course... I do know a few folk from Canada, and even had to make a trip to Nova Scotia late last year, very friendly folks as far as I have been able to tell.

CyberPro

 

[raisincharlie]

However, I can't see the Rentz family requesting the DP either. That's just my gut feeling. I think they'll think in terms of Bella & Katie.

I don't see the Rentz's asking for it either but it may depend on how exactly they view Bella and Katie. For instance - we have the pesky rumor that Bella supposedly saw her mother that morning. The question to that is in what condition did Bella see her mother, if she did. The answer to that might even make me rant for the DP.

 

[Star12]

Seems to me that there is a strong possibility the case is being considered for the DP - otherwise there isn't much point assigning a death qualified lawyer via the Capital Defender's office. I wouldn't rule it out just yet, it is obviously on someone's mind, we just know who's mind yet. I would think however the DA may give some thought to the feelings of the Rentz's as would be normal to consult the victim's family. DA's don't always listen though, especially if the evidence is strong. 108 days from murder to indictment - LE had something pretty strong to hand over IMO.

RC, in your opinion, why do you think they surprised the GJ with this case at this time?

 

[raisincharlie]

RC, in your opinion, why do you think they surprised the GJ with this case at this time?

Admitting that I do not know all the evidence, what we all know is the FBI was doing the computer forensics work, we learned that from Brad's lawyers requesting the investigation files.

Were I to take a quess - my quess would be that the FBI completed their task and there were some coffin nails found on either the home computers or the ones taken from his office. It is also possible that since LE was hung up with MH about who used Nancy's phone in some fashion, that the answer was found. Combined with lab results and other evidence - might just have been time.

 

[Star12]

Admitting that I do not know all the evidence, what we all know is the FBI was doing the computer forensics work, we learned that from Brad's lawyers requesting the investigation files.

Were I to take a quess - my quess would be that the FBI completed their task and there were some coffin nails found on either the home computers or the ones taken from his office. It is also possible that since LE was hung up with MH about who used Nancy's phone in some fashion, that the answer was found. Combined with lab results and other evidence - might just have been time.

Not that I mind, but I was certainly surprised as were we all. But the GJ's next date is next Monday, the 3rd. Must have been pretty compelling evidence!

 

[SleuthyGal]

Very early in childhood I established this belief that Canadians were the most peaceful and most friendly people in the world. I can't imagine there being "bad guy" Canadians who actually must "attend" Club Fed but it certainly isn't surprising to me Canadian law is more leinent than US. It's funny how old impressions stick with you into adulthood.

Guess my little world was shattered by Brad C.

Paul Bernardo shattered my myth of Canadian murderers (assuming I ever had a myth going). He is among the worst murderer of any country.

 

[SleuthyGal]

Isn't it amazing they managed to 'slip' in BC's case at the very end of the GJ day...not that we would have known if it was pushed to the following session. It's just amazing that it all came together--I should send CPD some flowers and a card to Willoughby.