Lack of ‘empathy, remorse and insight’: bomber who targeted wife, lawyers denied parole

The man convicted of mailing bombs to his ex-wife and two lawyers continues to deny responsibility more than 10 years after his arrest, claiming police framed him for an explosion that maimed one victim and traumatized others.

Guido Paul Amsel, 59, appeared before the Parole Board of Canada on Aug. 13 to argue for full parole, which would see him released from federal custody and immediately deported to Germany — where he was born and lived for decades.

The board denied his application, heeding a warning from a parole officer that Amsel continues to present a threat to the public in Canada and abroad.

“You present with a lack of victim empathy, remorse and insight. This persistent denial, combined with the severity and targeted nature of your violence, indicates that you remain a serious and ongoing risk to the victims and public safety,” read the board’s decision, obtained by the Free Press Monday.

Amsel, a former autobody mechanic, was convicted in 2018 on four counts of attempted murder for mailing a series of explosives in 2015. One bomb was sent to his ex-wife, while a second was sent to his former lawyer.

A third bomb exploded inside the office of Winnipeg lawyer Maria Mitousis, who represented Amsel’s ex-wife during civil proceedings after the couple were divorced. Mitousis lost her right hand and was severely injured by the device, which was hidden inside a tape recorder.

He was sentenced to life in prison for the 2015 bombings.

According to the documents, Amsel arrived in Canada in 1991 and is a permanent resident. Since being incarcerated, he has applied to German authorities for an international transfer with support from the Correctional Service of Canada.

The terms of the transfer indicate that, should Amsel be released on full parole, he would “walk free and clear without any supervision requirements” and his life sentence would be considered complete, the parole board said.

“No release plans have been provided for a release to Canada. You have a confirmed deportation order. The Canadian Border Services Agency has confirmed that all paperwork required for your deportation is in place,” the decision said.

“You do not contest your deportation and would like to return to your home country.”

Amsel’s trial also heard investigators determined he had previously sent a bomb to his ex-wife’s home in December 2013. No one was hurt and Amsel was not linked to that crime until the 2015 bombings.

He was also sentenced to 12½ years for that attempted murder, which was reduced to seven years with time served. That sentence was completed before the life sentence went into effect.

In Canada, offenders become eligible to apply for parole after serving one-third of their sentence, or seven years, whichever is less. For offenders serving a life sentence, parole eligibility is set by the court at the time of sentencing.

In Amsel’s case, the court determined he should not be eligible for parole until serving at least 10 years.

During the parole hearing, Amsel reiterated claims that someone in the police department planted his DNA during the investigation to set him up. He denied sending any of the explosives and claimed he was wrongfully convicted.

“With respect to the impact your actions had on the victim, you did not respond. Instead you spoke about your victimization of being incarcerated,” the board said.

“During the hearing, it was evident that you have not made any personal change… You twisted your offence to some imagined conspiracy and are fixated on your distortions, and conspiracy theories.”

Amsel wrote to the parole board in late July, urging it to not allow one of his victims to present an updated victim impact statement she prepared in anticipation of his parole hearing, the decision said.

According to the documents, Amsel’s behaviour in prison has been “generally positive” with the exception of an incident from 2021, when he went on a “hunger strike” and consumed no solid foods for nearly two months.

He also received a minor institutional charge in 2019 for activating an emergency alarm to request a phone call, the decision says.

“Unit staff have noted that you are polite, but are also demanding and egocentric. During your hearing, you accused your case management team of using ‘torture’ for you to confess.”

Amsel has a job in prison and his institutional security level has been reduced from maximum to medium over the years.

According to a correctional plan update completed in January, Amsel’s reintegration and accountability potential remain low, and his motivation level is medium.

“Despite participating in programming, you continue to deny your offending and this has contributed to you making no measurable progress,” the board said.

The parole board decision indicates Amsel is 58 years old, but a review of court records showed his birth date is April 13, 1966, making him 59.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca