Under My Roof: A Mother's Story of the Heinous Crime of Incest

Mary Jean Pearle and John Battaglia's marriage seemed picture perfect from the outside. With their two young daughters, Faith and Liberty, they made their home in a wealthy Dallas suburb. John was handsome, charming, and successful--but behind his mask of normality lay a vicious, violent abuser who'd brutally beaten his first wife--and who made Mary Jean the new target of his irrational rages. After nine hellish years, she divorced Battaglia.

On Christmas Day, 1999, during a court-ordered family visit, he attacked her in front of their daughters. For the next two years, he threatened, harassed and stalked her. Mary Jean feared for her life, but not for the lives of the children, with whom Battaglia was never anything less than caring, loving, and gentle.

But in spring, 2001, when Faith and Liberty were visiting their father, Mary Jean received a message to call her daughters. Helpless, horrified, she heard her older daughter's pleading cries. Then came the sound of gunshots--followed by silence. What evil impulses had driven a seemingly devoted father the ultimate act of violence and betrayal. . .and how would justice be served?

The first ever account of crimes that continue to haunt Canada's conscience.

Nearly 30 years after Clifford Olson's horrific crimes and the controversial deal he made with authorities ($100,000 for showing the RCMP where the bodies of his 11 victims were buried) this is the first ever account of Olson's heinous crimes and an extensive account of his childhood life in and outside prison.

Based on Peter Worthington's extensive interviews with Olson when he was alive, as well as sealed documents which Worthington was granted permission to from Olson's lawyer, Robert D. Shantz, this book includes shocking and horrific descriptions that illustrate crimes Olson never showed remorse for and which gave rise to the victims of violence movement, led to an amendment of the Criminal Code barring multiple murders from applying for early parole under the faint-hope clause and the passage of Bill C-31 denying such payments to prisoners while they are incarcerated.