The Paul Bernardo and O.J. Simpson trials comprised 18 percent each of CBC's murder stories. On CTV, the O.J. Simpson trial was reported more frequently than the Bernardo trial. Murders Reported on Television in 1995 These trials consistently dominated television news reports throughout 1995. Canadian national television news reported some aspect of the O.J. Simpson trial every month except November. At the height of the Bernardo double-murder trial, reporters' coverage degenerated to something akin to that of sportscasters, with the star players and the strategies of the opposing teams described.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of a critical new stage.
The cross-examination of the prosecution's star witness, Karla Homolka, who over two weeks consistently blamed Paul Bernardo for the killings. But now, as the defence prepares to challenge Karla's story, people are wondering what dramatic new direction the trial might take. To discuss some of the possible defence strategies, we're joined by . . . According to Statistics Canada, just 16 percent of the murders in 1995 were committed by someone unknown to the victim. However, television news was most likely to focus on random murders.