1 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

Volume 21, Issue 7 – March 2009 Inside this issue:

Message from the President 2 CCW MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT: Ken Gibson Special Guest: Rick Mofina Notes from the Editor 3

Katherine Hobbs March 11, 2009 at 7 p.m. I've Got An Idea... Now What?

Categories of Mystery Fiction 4 Come and join us for an evening of discussion with Rick Mofina about the process he uses to go from idea to plot and from plot to Forensic Corner: M is for manuscript. Rick will also spend some time talking about pacing 5 Manslaughter and how it can be used to build or relieve suspense. Bring your ideas and questions for what is bound to be an enjoyable and 6 Malice Domestic Report 1990 illuminating meeting.

7 How Long is it? CCW member, Rick Mofina is the acclaimed author of 9 bestsellers and numerous short stories. He uses the many years he worked as February Meeting Report: 8 Domestic Violence with guest a crime reporter as inspiration for his two series revolving Hoori Hamboyan around reporters and detectives. His most recent novel Six Seconds has just been released. The final bits & pieces 10 Check out Rick's website at: www.rickmofina.com

Hope to see you there, Bev Panasky, Program Committee

Capital Crime Writers is an And next up is…. organization of writers and editors working in the The April 8th meeting of Capital Crime Writers will focus on the mystery field, as well as experiences of reporters and journalists who cover criminal cases readers who love the genre. and court proceedings. The format will be an "interview" between We meet on the second two reporters with a lot of experience in the field. Wednesday of each month to discuss writing and Trish Dyer, one of our CCW members, covered crime for the To- crime. Meetings are sus- pended in July and August ronto Star in Ottawa, 1983-1990, when she joined the CBC as an for the summer. investigative journalist covering criminal issues. She was with the CBC for 10 years, retiring in 2000, to set up her own writing busi- Membership fees are: ness. $30 per year, $15 corresponding. Andrew Seymour has been the crime/court reporter with The Ot- Meetings are held in Room tawa Citizen for the past three years. His articles routinely appear in 156 at the Library and Ar- The Citizen. chives Canada, 395 Wel- lington Street beginning at See you in April, Tom Curran, Program Committee 7:00 p.m. 2 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

CCW Executive Message from the President - Ken Gibson At last month’s meet- President—Ken Gibson ing, the members ap- Chair@capitalcrimewriters proved Capital Crime Writer’s first set of by- VP – Vacant vp@capitalcrimewriters laws. They should be available on the web- Past President – site shortly for any Brenda Chapman member who wishes to pastchair access them. In the @capitalcrimewriters coming months they will be put to use as we Treasurer – Rachel Pitcher solicit nominations and Treasurer@ select members for capitalcrimewriters next year’s executive.

Programs – This is Capital Crime about the process he uses to go from idea to Bev Panasky , Deborah Writers 20th anniver- plot, and from plot to manuscript. Don’t Gyapong & Thomas Curran programsworkshops@ sary year and the miss it. Ken Gibson capitalcrimewriters executive is consider- ing ways to give it the Membership Secretary: recognition that it What’s in a Name? Darlene Cole deserves. You will be membership@ hearing more on this in Way back in 1989 there were 13 members of capitalcrimewriters the weeks and months the group known today as CCW. Chaired by Newsletter Editor/ ahead. Linda Wiken, they were tasked to choose a Public Relations - name out of the following submissions: Katherine Hobbs Just to warm you up, 613-263-0069 Katherine has come Criminal Tendencies Capital Detection newsletter@ into possession of all Prime Crimewriters Sleuths Ottawa capitalcrimewriters the old newsletters go- Chapter 13 Criminal Intent pr@capitalcrimewriters ing back to the begin- Capital Clues Capital Sleuths ning (thanks to Michael and luckily the winner was Steinberg) and in this *** Capital Crime Writers *** Webmaster – issue she will take us Guy Mercier on a trip down memory webmaster@ lane. Don’t be sur- Happy Birthday Message capitalcrimewriters prised to see some fa- (from January 1990) miliar names pop up – and don’t remind them Capital Crime Writers is now a year old! We www.capitalcrimewriters.com that they are twenty years older! began as six people tucked around a tiny table in a kindergarten room. Jim (Reicker) brought I always find it exciting the doughnuts and Vicki (Cameron) spilled the when one of our mem- tea. We decided to form ourselves into an in- bers presents to us at a formal group and meet monthly, with guest monthly meeting. What speakers whenever we could find them. We are “ better way to celebrate now a slightly more formal group, at least on “If the doctor told me I the organization than paper. We have an executive, and meet had six minutes to live, to showcase our own monthly in a classroom with full sized furni- I'd type a little faster.” members? We have ture. such an opportunity in Isaac Asimov March when Rick Happy Birthday CCW! Here's to another year of Mofina will talk to us mutual support and fascinating speakers. Linda Wiken

3 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com From the Editor- Katherine Hobbs

an already established and the program book, legacy you have cre- career with an endorse- Margaret Dunlop on ated. Thanks as well ment of your book. You logistics, and OPL liaison for the hours of enter- can run into agents and Michael Murphy — have tainment from reading publishers, and just been working for more about the early CCW about everyone involved than 10 months to bring exploits. In one issue in the book business. this event to fruition. Vicki indicated she could have written a Bloody Words IX prom- It’s been fun, we laugh a book with the number ises to be both worth- lot and we’re learning a of words she’d gener- while and entertaining. lot too — and who ated in the newsletter Our Guests of Honour, knows, we might be dis- over the 6 or 7 years Denise Mina, Louise appointed when it’s all she was editor. How- Penny, Barbara Fradkin over. Whatever will we ever, I’m selfishly glad and Mary Jane Maffini, do with our free time? :) that she was chroni- Three months until the cover many different cling the inauguration Bloody Words Mystery types of mystery writing, So although I could go on and the founding years Conference opens its and all are tops in the and on about Bloody of the CCW. I plan to doors in Ottawa, and I biz. And to interview Words Mystery Con: share as much of it as find my mind dwelling on them we have Alan Neal www.bloodywords2009 I can in the months to it most of the time! So I of CBC Radio One, radio .com — there are some come. was thrilled when I stum- and TV host Jerri South- other things to talk about bled upon Vicki Cam- cott, KitchArt magazine this month. First of all I In this month’s issue, eron’s account of her editor Mike Levin and col- want to say thanks to in addition to the arti- experience at the Malice umnist Randall Denley of Michael Steinberg who cles from the premier Domestic conference in the Ottawa Citizen. has kept every newslet- editions of The Pur- 1990 in The Purloined ter since they started loined — we also have Newsletter, and thor- CCW members Trish back in 1989. Even some new stuff. oughly enjoyed reading Dyer and Deirdre Hart though I fell down in Forensic Corner and it. It reminded me of Jaimet have been pursu- Mike’s laneway, I man- CCW February guest how I felt last year at ing experts in the world aged to hold on to the Hoori Hamboyan Bloody Words in Toronto, of crime for the confer- precious binders he’d just intersect in a strange and in Balti- ence and they have handed me and not toss way. In M is for Man- more. Vicki’s sentiments found some wonderful them into the snow. slaughter I came resounded with me resources — forensic psy- Michael was the Purloined across cases of mainly because what was chiatrists, toxicology ex- editor for years — he was spousal killings that true then, is still true to- perts, private detectives editor when I joined the ended in manslaughter day — almost 20 years and more. Wynn Quon CCW. I used to love get- charges. Hoori talked later. is dogging publishers for ting my copy each about the book Life giveaways for the loot month, and I wondered With Billy, the story of Writers conferences are bags, and making great how he did it year after an abused wife who marvellous opportunities headway! year. Now I know at least shot her husband and to learn new things about part of the reason — he’s was charged with first the craft, to find out the In fact it’s mind-boggling ORGANIZED! degree murder, but it secret details of your fa- to think that they, and was reduced to man- vourite writer’s lives — the rest of the team of And to Linda Wiken, slaughter. The sidebar and hang around with a volunteers; Brenda Vicki Cameron, and all on page 9 gives more bunch of like-minded Chapman on publicity, the rest of the original details. people. You make Rachel Pitcher on cash founding members of the friends and absorb their management and regis- CCW, thank you so much So beware the Ides of experiences and advice. trations, Guy Mercier on for persevering and get- March — especially if These are definitely the the web (have you ting this group going — you haven’t signed up best places to build net- checked it out lately? It’s even with the spilled tea for Bloody Words :) works, to meet the peo- great!) Darlene Cole on and kindergarten furni- and see you next week Katherine ple that can help you the Bony Pete Contest ture. What an amazing build a career, or boost 4 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

Categories of Mystery Fiction Reprinted from the first issue of The Purloined Newsletter in 1989. Condensed from “Into Something Rich and Strange” by Bruce Cassiday, Mystery Writer’s Handbook, Writer’s Digest Books.) The Puzzle The classic, pure detective story, in which the author poses a problem and sets Mystery up a fair play game of wits between detective and reader. The Hard-boiled Occasionally a puzzle, usually a whodunit, but primarily an adventure story of Mystery the violent physical exploits of a vigorous super-hero, generally a private detec- tive. The Straight A perfectly straight novel of character analysis and character interplay that hap- Mystery pens to concern a crime, usually murder. The Novel of Usually a story of espionage in which the question is – What will happen next? Pursuit Or How can he get out of this? Broken down into four sub- categories:

1. The Spy mystery. The efforts of a professional agent to cope with his oppo- site number and sometimes his own superiors, in a taut cold-war situation

2. The man-on-the-run mystery. The reactions of a man suddenly thrust into an international situation, in which the suspense is based on the question, What is happening, and how will he get out of it? 3. The metaphysical mystery. An offspring of the classic gothic, dealing with the possession of souls. 4. The doomsday mystery. A geopolitical study of the way a protagonist copes with such world-destroyers as atom bombs, nerve gas and mutant microbes. The Whodunit A story whose plot is still the solution of a crime, with a detective and a surprise ending, and primary emphasis on the emotions and reactions of the characters.

The Socio- The protagonist tries to survive the explosion of social unrest, technological political Mystery disaster, or political confrontation. The Police Pro- A story of a real police detective working on a real police force, solving one cedural Mystery crime, or a series of crimes. The Private-Eye A story of crime-solution in which the detective may be an investigator of any Mystery kind. The Psychologi- A story of the inner malaise affecting the lives of people personally related to the cal Mystery protagonist, usually involving the solution of a murder The Mechanistic A novel stressing the mechanics and techniques of a larger than life endeavour Mystery in the business or political world, with method and technology overshadowing the people. The Vigilante A whodunit in which the ―who‖ is discovered early on, so that stress can be laid Mystery on the chase, capture and punishment. The Caper Opposite of the whodunit. The step by step analysis of a crime as it planned by Mystery the man who is going to bring it off. The Camp The rules and appurtenances of any of the above types turned inside out and Mystery played strictly for laughs. The Period A novel in any of the above types, set in the past, and stressing the social and Mystery political values of the past time.

5 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

Forensic Corner: M is for Manslaughter By Katherine Hobbs criminal re- sponsibility There are a number of about it? Well, maybe to one person and, by for the results things M could have been he has but this is what I accident or mistake of his actions. this month. M is for Mur- found: 1922 — that’s causes the death of an- der... well it just seemed the year Cecil de Mille other person In keeping too easy. Not withstand- produced the melo- - for an unlawful pur- with the ing how broad a subject it drama Manslaughter. pose, does anything that domestic is! M is for Medical Ex- ―This Jazz Age tale de- he knows or ought to violence theme CCW guest aminer was my next tails how sybaritic soci- know is likely to cause Hoori Hamboyan discussed thought. Researching, I ety girl Leatrice Joy death, whether or not it in February, I found a turned up this ad: accidentally kills a was his intention to couple of interesting traffic cop and, while in cause death (section cases. ―Medical Examiner - The jail, repents her party- 229). highest pay but you have ing ways. Scenes of On Dec. 25, 2002, Mel to be able to handle cut- "bathtub gin" bashes First degree murder is Bruni beat his wife Car- ting up dead bodies, 7+ are mixed with murder that is planned mela to death. Charged years of college and vignettes of Ancient and deliberate (section with second-degree uncertain work hours. Roman debauchery.‖ 231(2)). Where a death murder, the jury found Although there are occurs in the course of a him only guilty of man- routine protocols, the But, back to man- sexual assault or criminal slaughter. He was sen- ingenious ways people kill slaughter! To under- harassment, it is first de- tenced to 10 years. Two people create sufficient stand it better, it’s gree murder whether or years later in Montreal a variety to combat bore- helpful to understand not the death was former pro football player, dom and provide a the different kinds of planned or deliberate Tommy Kane was charged problem-solving chal- homicide charges that (section 231 (5), (6)). with second degree mur- lenge. The medical can be laid in Canada. der after killing his wife, examiner usually requires The Criminal Code Second degree murder but pleaded guilty to man- a medical degree. Select defines homicide as is defined as "all murder slaughter. In both these a residency that provides causing the death of a that is not first degree cases, convictions for sec- a forensic emphasis. A human being by any murder" (section 231 ond degree murder would chemistry or biology means. Not all kinds of (2)). seem more appropriate. degree at the under- homicide carry criminal graduate level is a good liability. Manslaughter is defined In the Bruni case, Carmela major. If at FSU, you as "culpable homicide had recently informed her should take the crime Culpable homicide is that is not murder or in- husband of her intention detection & investigation when someone causes fanticide" (section 234). to end the marriage, and course as one of your the death of a human In other words, where the couple had had a con- undergraduate electives being by, among other there was no intent to frontation earlier in the as you will not have an things, means of a cause death (or bodily day she was killed. In the opportunity for this criminal act or criminal harm that is likely to Kane case, the couple had course at medical school.‖ negligence. (section cause death), but the recently separated, and 222) person causing the death he’d repeatedly threatened After reading this I real- was negligent as to his wife in the weeks be- ized I didn’t have the Murder is defined gen- whether death occurred, fore he killed her. stomach for writing about erally as culpable homi- the appropriate charge is cutting up bodies. A cide where the person manslaughter. A very Mr. Bruni struck his wife in friend then suggested de- causing the death: common example of the head over 20 times tailing the differences - means to cause the manslaughter is drunk using a 5-pound dumbbell. between Manslaughter death or means to drivers who cause death; In speaking to the and First Degree or Sec- cause bodily harm that the drunk driver had no sentence, the judge said: ond Degree Murder, and I he knows is likely to intent to cause death or "Many, if not most, of the thought ―Yes!‖ It got me cause death and is even bodily harm, but his blows came when Carmela wondering about books reckless as to whether actions were negligent to was unable to resist, and films. Surely John or not death ensues the point that he has probably because Grisham has written - means to cause death cont’d on page 10 6 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com A report from the 1990 conference by Vicki Cameron

notifying editors of unbal- At the beginning of April When the conference told me I needed an anced treatment, and 1990, some of us began that evening, I agent. She suggested collecting a listing of re- attended Malice Domes- went to volunteer, and I send a query letter to viewers and bookstores for tic, the convention for offered my services as a fifty different agents to publicity purposes. Any Cosy Mystery writers and photographer. I was the find out which were SinC member who has a fans. We had a wonder- only one in 400 atten- interested in handling book published can access ful time, and would go dees, so I spent the next the type of work I do. this information and use it back next year in an in- three days having a to increase her sales. stant. This is my report great time with my cam- I won’t go on listing all on the weekend’s antics. era, jumping line-ups the authors we met — The most useful informa- Vicki Cameron and marching into the that would be boring. tion I got out of a work- middle of things, all in I’ll just mention the shop was from Alice Orr, When we took off for the name of recording four who were in the ex-editor and now agent. Washington D.C. I had history. I got to go panel discussion The topic was Book laryngitis so badly I boldly up to the Famous ―What’s so Funny Titles, and she had these could only whisper. For- Authors and talk to them About Murder‖: guidelines: tunately, by the , time we got to the * A startling, intriguing hotel, I had a title will make the croaky little voice A startling title will jump the manuscript jump to the back, enough to use manuscript to the top of the slush top of the slush pile, like for the weekend. I ―Bimbos of the Death used it as much as I pile, like ... “Bimbos of the Death Sun.‖ could, suffered from Sun” mega-sore-throat * A salable title is genre all night, and seri- identifiable—for Mystery ously considered it should have Death, positioning myself stra- under the guise of taking Sharyn McCrumb, Murder, or other such tegically in the lobby and their pictures. Charlotte MacLeod, and words. coughing to attract the . I sat listen- attention of the Military Because I was doing the ing to these ladies talk * It should be short, and Laryncologists who were Official Photographer about their work, and I suggest drama and sus- also conventioning at the routine, I got filmed by knew I had found the pense. Hyatt. the BBC, who were doing right niche for me in

a documentary of Agatha the Mystery Universe. * If you use a quote you’re On Friday, Sue (Pike), Christie’s 100th anniver- signaling the reader that Linda (Wiken) and I sary. It also made We had breakfast with there will be layers of toured the FBI Building. things more interesting Sisters in Crime, and meaning in the story. They have an airport- when Linda and I got really feel like we be- type security system at trapped in an elevator long now. We can see * The title should reflect the door, and you can with . why we’re in the group, the tone of the story. A bet we were photo- We met or listened to and what they hope to short title means a quick graphed somewhere dozens of published writ- achieve. SinC got to- moving story; a long title along the line-up. It was ers, and they were will- gether because they means there is a longer interesting, showing all ing and eager to share felt women mystery rhythm to the story. the types of labs in a nuggets of information writers were getting a forensic science opera- with us. Nancy Pickard raw deal from the * Boring titles are bad, too tion, a mammoth collec- gave us her agent’s mystery reviewers, and amorphous, too general is tion of guns, and finish- name and address. Joan if you don’t get bad. ing with a shooting Hess insisted I read her t reviewed, you don’t sell demo. -shirt: P.D. Hess, The well. Rather than bitch * The title must fit on the about it, they started Sequel. P.M. Carlson Cont’d on page 7 monitoring coverage,

7 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

HOW LONG IS A…?

. Approximate Number of Double- Spaced Type of Work Average Words Typewritten Pages Short-short story 500 - 2000 2 - 8

Short Story 2,500 – 5,000 10 - 20 Novella 7,500 – 40,000 30 - 160 Novelette 7,000 – 25,000 28 - 100 Novel – Hard Cover 25,000 – 150,000 100 - 600 Novel - Paperback 35,000 – 85,000 140 - 320 Children’s Picture Book 500 – 2,500 2 - 10 Juvenile Book 15,000 – 80,000 60 - 320 Non Fiction Book 20,000 – 200,000 80 - 800 TV Script – ½ Hour 25 - 40 TV Script – 1 Hour 55 - 70 Play –One Act 20 – 30 min. playing time 20 - 30 Movie Scenario 1 ½ - 2 hrs. playing time 120 - 250 Radio Feature Copy 1 min = 15 double spaced 3 min = 2 pages lines Poem 2 – 100 lines (most maga- zines prefer 4 – 16 lines) Query Letter 1 full page single spaced Speech 250 words = 2 minutes 12 – 15 pages = ½ hour

Reprint from The Purloined Newsletter, April 1990

Malice Domestic Report 1990 and artists spend 8 min- cumstances, and what Cont’d from page 6 find out what they want. utes choosing the cover colour the hats were. And guess what, fellow for your book. I found the fans a little spine of the book without working-group persons: Malice Domestic was a disconcerting, because reducing the size of the Nancy Pickard, Sharyn very relaxed, friendly con- I expected to get work- print or writing the title in McCrumb, , vention and we met so shops on How to Write two lines. If you do this, , and writers many people. Mysteries, and most of you lose all the buyers of their ilk, send their them turned into ―My with glasses. manuscripts to each We lunched with Martha favourite scene was…,‖ other for feedback be- from New Brunswick, and other discussions * Read How to Write Best fore they submit them to dined with Caren from of people’s books from Selling Fiction by Dean their agents. Philadelphia, and eleva- a reader’s point of Koontz. He has a title- tored with Brigit from view. making exercise, involving Alaska. finding a key word that Linda said not to worry, especially suits your story. Note: This year’s Malice We met fans who knew we could get something Domestic 21 is being every scene from Agatha’s out of listening to * Buyers spend 20 sec- held from May 1—3, books by heart, and knew them, because they’re onds choosing a book in a 2009. Nancy Pickard is which characters were the people who buy the check-pout line. Editors the Guest of Honour. wearing hats in which cir- books, and we should

8 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

February Meeting Report: Domestic Violence with Hoori Hamboyan by Katherine Hobbs

Contrary to popular property. the community, with wait lists. And opinion, those that engage i.e. kids in school some victims may not in family violence are not Those that do it have few  Unaware of know they can go only the uneducated, are or no skills to reduce rights there. not just immigrants – but stress. Part of it may be (immigrants) in fact, family violence af- an impact of our sociali-  Not sure if they Why do victims stay: fects all different walks of zation, i.e. boys must can take the kids like, in all communities and hide their emotions, not  Don't know  Loyalty and love all countries. Our February cry. And we tolerate ag- whom to trust  Belief that it's guest Hoori Hamboyan, a gressively more in boys.  There will be iso- acceptable government lawyer work- lation from the (learned as a ing on family violence pol- Indicators that can pre- community normal behav- icy, was iour) quick to  Pity - aggressors are emotionally explain “Violence is about power, that, ―It’s dependent not ac- control and domination,”  Denial cepted any-  Guilt where. says Hoori Hamboyan  False hope - Rarely is it flowers-apologies the case  Responsibility - that it’s okay. In Canada dict violent behaviour: members if they feel it’s their we are law-driven, but in leave. fault most communities there  Jealousy  Diminished self- are ways to deal with it.‖  Controlling behav- And where can a vic- esteem iour tim go? There are 550  Insecurity about Family Violence, also  Possessiveness shelters in Can- being alone known as domestic,  Drugs and alcohol ada; but they are full,  Religious spousal or conjugal vio-  Mental health issues convictions lence -- means any use of  Cruelty to animals physical or sexual force.  Violent past Hoori Hamboyan  Stalking According to 2008 Stats, there were over 38,000 Why do victims stay? cases reported to the po- lice in 2006. But that is  Fear & Terror. Many only a small proportion of threaten to kill her the violence that has oc- or a loved one if she curred as it’s usually not leaves. the first incident of vio-  In an immigrant’s lence that is reported, and case, they may feel less than 1/3 of victims a threat of deporta- overall report the crime. tion, and the threat of taking kids away And why do individuals en- from them. gage in violent behav-  Economic depend- iour? Generally, it is a ency learned response to deal  Language barriers with stress and frustration; immigration there is unequal power be-  Disability tween men and women; or  No job skills the woman is considered  They have ties to

9 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

February Meeting Report: with Hoori Hamboyan, con’td

Life with Billy been abused; she What are the affects on This is the harrowing, brutal stabbed her husband, tale of Jane Stafford and children? but didn't call anyone her six-year ordeal of as she feared she'd be unimaginable abuse at the  Performance at deported. He ended up school suffers hands of her common-law dying. husband, Billy Stafford --  Physical danger  Boys grow up to be and the night she killed him In minority communi- with a shotgun. Jane blew aggressors ties polices are working  Girls grow up as vic- his brains out as he was harder and taking sleeping, drunkenly tims sensitivity training to  Emotional turmoil slumped behind the combat the mistrust of steering wheel of his pickup  Stress authority commonly  Feel responsible truck near their home at held by those groups. Bangs Falls, N.S.  Don't trust  Social isolation Hoori talked about the When she shot and killed  Feel guilty for loving book Frankenstein by the abuser Billy, the case brought the Mary Shelley. Basically issue of spousal abuse to light for the first time. It was  Eating disturbances this is a tale of a  Substance abuse a turning point for Jane and for public understanding ―monster‖ shunned by of wife-battering. She was charged with first-degree society because of his Some family violence in murder, but a jury found her not guilty. The Crown looks, who lashed out appealed; she pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to six months in jail and two years' proba- tion.

When her probation ended in 1986, Jane quietly began a public campaign against domestic violence which included supporting Mr. Vallee's book, one-on- one counselling with all women who asked for her help and telling her own story in public. "People don't look at wife-battering as a criminal offence; it's just ac- cepted," she said in a 1986 conversation. "It is a crime. . . There could be publicity for reporting wife- battering . . . and doctors and lawyers could be made more aware of the signs. The change in attitudes should start in schools." Bruce Cairns talks with Hoori Hamboyan follow- ing the meeting. Ten years later Jane was also dead, her life ended in another blast of gunfire. Before she died, Jane had received two letters and three phone calls threatening immigrant families is due in violence because of her. Police would not discuss details of the threats, but to the fact they have fled his immense solitude, friends say the letters and calls told her to stop speak- war, or having being tor- suffering, and hatred. ing about abuse of women, or she would be stopped. tured etc. They arrive He murders Dr. Frank- here and their skills are enstein’s brother, and When a passer-by found her body in a dark blue four- not valued, they are feel- then Frankenstein’s door Ford owned by her husband of nearly six months, ing useless. The kids wife. Joel Corkum, only the driver's-side door was locked. adapt but parents don't. Beside her was a .38-calibre revolver. Autopsy results It creates turmoil and It was only on his crea- showed she died from a bullet fired into her chest that depression. tor’s death the monster had hit her heart and right lung. The autopsy report

felt he could end his

said the bullet wound was consistent with suicide, but Hoori talked about a case suffering. that murder was possible. of a Haitian woman who'd

10 THE PURLOINED NEWSLETTER March 2009 www.capitalcrimewriters.com

M is for Manslaughter, cont’d from page 6 she was unconscious." Mr Kane beat his wife repeatedly and slashed her throat. His actions continued despite the fact she was unconscious and her sister and mother were attempting to pull him away from her. It seems hard to imagine that these men did not have any intention to kill their wives. Perhaps there is no evidence that either began the assault with the intent to kill (although Mr. Kane had threat- ened his wife repeatedly in the weeks before the murder), but it seems obvious that, once the assault was underway, there was intent to kill or at least to cause serious bodily harm that each would have known was likely to cause death.

Yet, in both cases, the outcome was a conviction for manslaughter. The jury stated that it believed Mr. Bruni had "lost it," thus allowing a verdict of manslaughter. Kane's actions were described by psychia- trists as an "explosion of rage beyond his control." This assessment of Kane's state of mind was used to support his guilty plea. Is this an illustration of the fact that society minimizes the seriousness of violence against women? Or simply the just application of Canadian law as it’s written?

www.capitalcrimewriters.com Writing wrongs since 1988

Member News: Brenda Chapman Book Launch: May 3, 2009