The March 27th edition of The Lawyers Weekly includes a letter to the editor in response to a November 27, 2008 story titled “Serial killer gets $6,000 for pain and suffering.” Gregory J. McMaster writes to TLW to clarify that he is not a serial killer and that he takes offence to the term:
“My unfortunate history does include the more apropos label of multiple murderer and having engaged in a spree killing or gone a killing spree. Although not flattering and painful to read 30 years later … they are not labels I can justifiably argue against. On the other hand, the label of serial killer is entirely inappropriate.”
The multiple murderer got $6,000 in damages from the federal Crown for the pain and suffering he experienced from hurting his knee while exercising in ill-fitting prison-issued footwear.
McMaster is an American who shot Canadian victims on the Trans-Canada Highway after fleeing the U.S. where he was wanted for burglary. He also shot the U.S. deputy sheriff who was pursuing him. (We are resisting a Bob Marley reference here.)