The man accused of posting a video on his website, allegedly showing the grisly slaying of a student in the spring of 2012, broke his silence Friday, and talked to CTV’s David Ewasuk.
Mark Marek has been charged with corrupting morals, for allegedly posting a video believed to show the killing and dismemberment of exchange student Lin Jun in Montreal – a killing Luka Magnotta has been charged with.
Police allege Marek posted the video in question online with the knowledge it was sent to him by Magnotta – but the owner of the website Best Gore told CTV News he was trying to do a public service by posting the video.
“I saw a video that showed, potentially, a horrific crime, and I had two options, either ignore and risk that another person suffers the same fate, or do something about it and see if we can get that person off the street,” Marek said.
Marek said he was trying to get his millions of online viewers to help ascertain what the video showed.
“As they said in the movie, Spiderman, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’,” Marek said. “So I saw myself as this guy because I have this power because I have this community at my reach.”
The accused believes the charge is not solely based off of the video that was posted online, Marek believes authorities don’t like what he says and shows on his website.
“I am being persecuted for political reasons,” Marek said. “That’s without a doubt, I have a mountain of evidence to prove it, and more evidence is coming.”
Marek went as far as to say his situation was akin to that of a political prisoner.
After he was arrested and charged by police July 16, but was released July 18 on $7,500 cash bail, including a number of conditions banning him from having a cell phone, and he’s not allowed to access the internet.
At that time, the Crown argued Marek was a flight risk.
It’s those bail conditions Marek said contributed to an arrest warrant being issued for him – he said he couldn’t find a place to live without the internet – the warrant was issued July 26, and he was arrested in Nisku the next day.
On Thursday, Marek was released again on $500 bail.
In the interview Friday, Marek echoed what his lawyer had said in court, that Marek can’t earn a living running the websites he owns, and that he still had not found a permanent place to live.
Marek’s next court appearance has been scheduled for September 12.
With files from David Ewasuk