Speaking on the steps of the Hall of Justice, Marc Klaas, father of murdered teen Polly Hannah Klaas, said there is nothing more "raw" emotionally than listening to parents confront their child's killer.
Klaas, whose daughter was murdered in the early '90s, said that this is the first sentencing hearing he has attended since the sentencing of Richard Davis, who was convicted in 1996 for Polly Klaas' murder.
When asked what he thought about the tears Gardner shed during the family impact statements, Klaas responded: "He's a waste. Who cares?"
John Albert Gardner III was sentenced in court Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole after emotional, angry and mournful testimony from the families of his victims. Gardner pleaded guilty last month to raping and murdering two teenagers, Amber Dubois and Chelsea King. He also admitted that he attempted to rape another jogger in December.
During the interview, Klaas was asked about experts who believe sexual predators can be rehabilitated.
"There are experts that say predators can be rehabilitated, but, oh, gee, weren't they wrong?" Klaas said. "And look at the death and destruction and devastation that was caused because those individuals in the department of mental health turned their backs on who this guy was and what he was capable of."
He added: "This is something that those particular individuals are going to have to live with for the rest of their lives."
Klaas said he believes the two families -- Brent and Kelly King, and Maurice Dubois, his ex-wife, Carrie McGonigle, and Dave Cave -- will eventually be able to heal. He said it took 10 years before he and his wife were able to appreciate life again, saying he is empowered by his work.
In the wake of Polly's murder, Klaas has become a child advocate founding the KlaasKids Foundation.
"We can pass as many laws as there are people in the world, and these kind of individuals will still exist," Klaas said.
