Convicted killer seeks prison leave

The family of a St. Catharines teen who was brutally murdered 25 years ago is outraged that her killer has requested a leave from prison to visit the area the crime was committed.

It’s been over two decades since Steve Taylor’s younger sister Cara was murdered but he says when he hears the name Elio Caputo he still feels dread in the pit in his stomach.

“I felt physically sick. It was just such a shock. I was scared. I don’t want to have to see him, I don’t want anyone who cared about Cara to run into him.”

Last week Steve Taylor learned Caputo had applied for a supervised leave from prison to visit St. Catharines.

In 1993 Caputo was sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder of his ex-girlfriend 17-year-old Cara. The court heard he went to her home with a fake gun, bound her, covered her mouth and nose with tape, and then sexually assaulted her. She suffocated to death. After an appeal by Caputo, he had his sentenced lowered to 18 years and even though Caputo’s served his full sentence, Steve Taylor says he remains behind bars because of behavioural problems.

No date has been listed as to when the decision will be made.