Williams paid $12K a month behind bars
April 9th, 2010
Kenneth Jackson
QMI Agency
OTTAWA — Accused killer Col. Russell Williams continues to collect a paycheque to the tune of nearly $12,000 a month while he sits in a jail cell.
Williams, 47, has been locked up at the Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee, Ont., since his arrest Feb. 7 and has racked up about $24,000 in pay.
He was relieved of his duties as the Trenton base commander Feb. 8.
But no matter how long Williams continues to pull in thousands a month, the Canadian Forces said it will claw it all back if he's convicted of two counts of murder and sexual assault.
"If found guilty, a member must reimburse pay received while held in custody," spokeswoman Carole Brown said in an e-mail to QMI Agency.
Williams is getting paid because he's still a member of the Canadian Forces, she said.
Whether he's convicted or not, Brown said, Williams will still receive his pension because the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act determines when a former member is entitled to a pension.
"Entitlements are linked to years of service, not reason for leaving the Canadian Forces," she said.
Williams does face a Canadian Forces' administration review, which could lead to him being fired, Brown said.
Such a review takes place when a member's viability is brought into question.
"(The review) is commenced with the intent of determining whether the CF should continue to employ the member, and if so, under what conditions," said Brown.
It has yet to be determined when the review — which is independent of the criminal court findings — will wrap up.
Williams is accused killing Marie-France Comeau and Jessica Lloyd in the Belleville area as well as two sex attacks on women in nearby Tweed last fall.
Police are following his footsteps throughout his entire career.
Over the Easter weekend, Williams tried to commit suicide by jamming a cardboard toilet roll stuffed with foil and cardboard down his throat an apparent bid to suffocate himself.
William wrote a suicide note in mustard on the wall of his segregation cell saying his affairs were in order and his feelings are too much to bear.
He jammed the lock in his cell door with cardboard and foil in an attempt to prevent staff from getting into his cell quickly and stopping him.
His bid was unsuccessful and he was put on a 24-hour suicide watch which has since been lifted. He's now said to be on a hunger strike.
Article ID# 2528153
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Police expected to charge Williams in break-ins
Police expected to charge Williams in break-ins
Posted By KENNETH JACKSON AND JON WILLING, QMI AGENCY
April 29th, 2010
Police are poised to lay charges in connection with Ottawa break-ins allegedly linked to accused rapist and killer Col. Russell Williams.
The charges are expected to come as early as today by the Ontario Provincial Police, according to police sources.
As soon as Williams was booked on two first-degree murder charges in February, police in the Ottawa area opened their files to find connections to local sex crimes.
Police were specifically looking at incidents where women's underwear were stolen during several 2008 break-ins in the Orleans area of Simoneau Way and Wilkie Drive, where Williams lived at the time.
Williams is already charged in the deaths of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37, of Brighton and Jessica Lloyd, 27 of Belleville.
He was also charged with two home-invasion sex assaults.
While OPP have been investigating the violent attacks in eastern Ontario, police immediately swooped into the trendy Westboro home Williams shared with his wife after his arrest. Police put the home under a forensic lockdown for a week as they searched for evidence.
Some of the items hauled away included hundreds of pairs of women's underwear.
The investigation would soon stretch across the city.
Ottawa police have been assisting the OPP in the break-ins but they are not leading the local investigation.
A middle-aged couple told the Sun Wednesday evening someone tried to break into their home twice in a two-month period in 2008 on Simoneau Way.
Police visited their home and took the incidents seriously.
"We're concerned because the break-ins are sexual in nature," Karen remembers a detective telling her. She didn't want her last name used.
The couple was warned that there were a number of break and enters along Simoneau Way and Wilkie Drive.
"We didn't know who this was. We just thought it was a petty idiot," said Karen.
When they heard Williams was being investigated for the break and enters it all sort of sunk in.
"We went 'oh jeez,'" she said. Karen was also shocked when
she saw Williams' picture in the paper.
"I remembered him. I said 'why does he look familiar?' Then I remembered I used to see him walking. I think he even smiled at me a couple times."
Police told her whoever was behind the break-ins was studying the victims.
"He seemed to know the habits of the people here on the street," she said.
Article ID# 2555385
Submit content
Posted By KENNETH JACKSON AND JON WILLING, QMI AGENCY
April 29th, 2010
Police are poised to lay charges in connection with Ottawa break-ins allegedly linked to accused rapist and killer Col. Russell Williams.
The charges are expected to come as early as today by the Ontario Provincial Police, according to police sources.
As soon as Williams was booked on two first-degree murder charges in February, police in the Ottawa area opened their files to find connections to local sex crimes.
Police were specifically looking at incidents where women's underwear were stolen during several 2008 break-ins in the Orleans area of Simoneau Way and Wilkie Drive, where Williams lived at the time.
Williams is already charged in the deaths of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37, of Brighton and Jessica Lloyd, 27 of Belleville.
He was also charged with two home-invasion sex assaults.
While OPP have been investigating the violent attacks in eastern Ontario, police immediately swooped into the trendy Westboro home Williams shared with his wife after his arrest. Police put the home under a forensic lockdown for a week as they searched for evidence.
Some of the items hauled away included hundreds of pairs of women's underwear.
The investigation would soon stretch across the city.
Ottawa police have been assisting the OPP in the break-ins but they are not leading the local investigation.
A middle-aged couple told the Sun Wednesday evening someone tried to break into their home twice in a two-month period in 2008 on Simoneau Way.
Police visited their home and took the incidents seriously.
"We're concerned because the break-ins are sexual in nature," Karen remembers a detective telling her. She didn't want her last name used.
The couple was warned that there were a number of break and enters along Simoneau Way and Wilkie Drive.
"We didn't know who this was. We just thought it was a petty idiot," said Karen.
When they heard Williams was being investigated for the break and enters it all sort of sunk in.
"We went 'oh jeez,'" she said. Karen was also shocked when
she saw Williams' picture in the paper.
"I remembered him. I said 'why does he look familiar?' Then I remembered I used to see him walking. I think he even smiled at me a couple times."
Police told her whoever was behind the break-ins was studying the victims.
"He seemed to know the habits of the people here on the street," she said.
Article ID# 2555385
Submit content
Williams to plead guilty: reports
Williams to plead guilty: reports
Posted By QMI Agency
April 29th, 2010
QMI Agency
A final and dramatic chapter may be writing itself in the case of disgraced Canadian military officer, Col. Russell Williams.
The website for The Globe and Mail reported Thursday that the former base commander at CFB Trenton plans to plead guilty to murder, sexual assault and 82 burglary related charges.
It would be an astonishing conclusion — and unusual legal end — to a case that's stunned military ranks and captivated the nation. Though everything about the arrest and troubled incarceration of the once respected commander has been anything but normal or expected.
The latest report of a possible pending guilty plea came hours after Williams made a video appearance here to face the new break-in charges.
Citing two unnamed sources, the national newspaper said prosecutors and defence lawyers for the accused killer have agreed in principal that Williams will plead guilty to all charges.
Williams faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37, a military flight attendant from Brighton, Ont., and Jessica Lloyd, 27, of Belleville, Ont.
The body of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville was found on Feb. 7 after she was reported missing two weeks earlier, launching a massive search.
Cpl. Marie-France Comeau of Brighton, Ont., was discovered dead in her home last November. She was a flight attendant at CFB Trenton and served aboard the same military VIP flights Williams piloted for much of the 1990s.
Williams' fall from those days are something out of a movie script.
On Thursday, appearing via a video feed, he appeared clean shaven with his trademark buzz cut looking newly trimmed. He looked nothing like a man who recently attempted a hunger strike after his suicide bid was foiled by guards at the Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee, Ont., where he has been since his arrest in February.
Williams seemed at ease as he stated his name "David Russell Williams" — leaving out the colonel designation.
He was remanded until his next court appearance on June 24.
The 82 charges, laid just before Williams attended his court appearance, were not read aloud in court. And there was no outward hint of any guilty plea arrangement having been reached.
It was all, in the life of the courts, rather normal.
The 61 counts of break and enter, 11 counts of attempted break and enter, and 10 counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence relate to a string of burglaries in Ottawa, Belleville and mostly in Tweed,Ont.
Many of the homes in Tweed listed were on the street, Cosy Cove Lane, where Williams lived when he served as base commander at CFB Trenton a 30-minute drive away.
The homes in Ottawa are in the city's Fallingbrook neighborhood. Williams and his wife shared a home in west Ottawa.
Ottawa police, Belleville police and Ontario Provincial Police, with the help of Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, conducted an extensive review of unsolved crimes in the three areas before laying the new charges, the OPP said.
Sgt. Kristine Rae of the OPP said she could not expand on the "intent to commit an indictable offence" charges noting there are a number of things under the Criminal Code that are considered an indictable offence.
Due to the fact the investigation is ongoing, she said she could not reveal what those offences are.
Following Williams' arrest in February, police searched his homes in Tweed and Ottawa.
According to police documents, detectives searched the home of a previous suspect in the cases eventually linked to Williams, looking for baby blankets, lingerie and other items reportedly taken from the crime scenes.
- with files from Jason Miller, QMI Agency
Article ID# 2556918
Posted By QMI Agency
April 29th, 2010
QMI Agency
A final and dramatic chapter may be writing itself in the case of disgraced Canadian military officer, Col. Russell Williams.
The website for The Globe and Mail reported Thursday that the former base commander at CFB Trenton plans to plead guilty to murder, sexual assault and 82 burglary related charges.
It would be an astonishing conclusion — and unusual legal end — to a case that's stunned military ranks and captivated the nation. Though everything about the arrest and troubled incarceration of the once respected commander has been anything but normal or expected.
The latest report of a possible pending guilty plea came hours after Williams made a video appearance here to face the new break-in charges.
Citing two unnamed sources, the national newspaper said prosecutors and defence lawyers for the accused killer have agreed in principal that Williams will plead guilty to all charges.
Williams faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37, a military flight attendant from Brighton, Ont., and Jessica Lloyd, 27, of Belleville, Ont.
The body of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville was found on Feb. 7 after she was reported missing two weeks earlier, launching a massive search.
Cpl. Marie-France Comeau of Brighton, Ont., was discovered dead in her home last November. She was a flight attendant at CFB Trenton and served aboard the same military VIP flights Williams piloted for much of the 1990s.
Williams' fall from those days are something out of a movie script.
On Thursday, appearing via a video feed, he appeared clean shaven with his trademark buzz cut looking newly trimmed. He looked nothing like a man who recently attempted a hunger strike after his suicide bid was foiled by guards at the Quinte Detention Centre in Napanee, Ont., where he has been since his arrest in February.
Williams seemed at ease as he stated his name "David Russell Williams" — leaving out the colonel designation.
He was remanded until his next court appearance on June 24.
The 82 charges, laid just before Williams attended his court appearance, were not read aloud in court. And there was no outward hint of any guilty plea arrangement having been reached.
It was all, in the life of the courts, rather normal.
The 61 counts of break and enter, 11 counts of attempted break and enter, and 10 counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence relate to a string of burglaries in Ottawa, Belleville and mostly in Tweed,Ont.
Many of the homes in Tweed listed were on the street, Cosy Cove Lane, where Williams lived when he served as base commander at CFB Trenton a 30-minute drive away.
The homes in Ottawa are in the city's Fallingbrook neighborhood. Williams and his wife shared a home in west Ottawa.
Ottawa police, Belleville police and Ontario Provincial Police, with the help of Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, conducted an extensive review of unsolved crimes in the three areas before laying the new charges, the OPP said.
Sgt. Kristine Rae of the OPP said she could not expand on the "intent to commit an indictable offence" charges noting there are a number of things under the Criminal Code that are considered an indictable offence.
Due to the fact the investigation is ongoing, she said she could not reveal what those offences are.
Following Williams' arrest in February, police searched his homes in Tweed and Ottawa.
According to police documents, detectives searched the home of a previous suspect in the cases eventually linked to Williams, looking for baby blankets, lingerie and other items reportedly taken from the crime scenes.
- with files from Jason Miller, QMI Agency
Article ID# 2556918
'It could have been worse:' break-in victim'
'It could have been worse:' break-in victim'
Col. Russell Williams facing 82 new charges including break and enter, theft
Posted By W. BRICE MCVICAR The Intelligencer
April 29th, 2010
TWEED — It could have been worse.
That's how one woman whose home was allegedly broken into by Col. Russell Williams summed up the crime. The woman, who asked that she not be identified, said she was relieved to learn her break and enter — as well as 81 others in the Belleville, Tweed and Ottawa areas — are being linked to the former CFB Trenton base commander. Police announced Thursday Williams is facing 82 new charges including break and enter and theft, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence and attempted break and enter.
Considering Williams is also facing two first degree murder charges in relation to the deaths of Jessica Lloyd and Marie France Comeau, the woman said she knows she is lucky there was only a break-in at her home.
"I guess I feel a little bit better knowing it was him and they've got him," the woman said. "It could have been worse, obviously."
While other alleged victims in the Tweed area opted not to discuss the break and enters to their homes, residents along Cosy Cove Lane expressed disbelief when they learned six of the new charges against Williams involve homes along their dead-end street. Williams and his wife had a summer cottage on Cosy Cove Lane and Williams lived alone there through the week while working at CFB Trenton.
Bill Page has resided on the short street for 17 years and would speak with Williams whenever he saw him. He said the initial arrest of Williams earlier this year, coupled with the new charges, has shocked the small community.
"People don't even lock their doors here," he said. "It's pretty shocking. It's going to take awhile for all of us to get over this and now, with these new charges, I think it'll take even longer."
However, Page said he knew police were continuing to investigate Williams' activity so further charges weren't that surprising. He said the community never suspected Williams last fall when two women in the neighbourhood were sexually assaulted by a man who broke into their homes. Williams, 47, was charged with two counts of forcible confinement and two counts of break and enter and sexual assault in relation to those home invasions.
Further down the road, Ernestine Cole said though she was surprised to learn of Williams' arrest it has not shaken her feeling of safety. She said even the new charges "don't really impact" her because the police insist they have their suspect in custody.
"I find it hard to believe it's happening but, really, it hasn't affected me in any way," she said.
Brian O'Coin, who lives at the intersection of Sulphide Road and Cosy Cove Lane, said the small community often discusses the man who was living in their midst and are relieved to know he is no longer among them.
Their feelings toward him are generally worn on their sleeves, O'Coin said.
"We all hate him. We all feel the same," he said. "We're all up in arms about it. We'll probably never get over it."
bmcvicar@intelligencer.ca
Col. Russell Williams facing 82 new charges including break and enter, theft
Posted By W. BRICE MCVICAR The Intelligencer
April 29th, 2010
TWEED — It could have been worse.
That's how one woman whose home was allegedly broken into by Col. Russell Williams summed up the crime. The woman, who asked that she not be identified, said she was relieved to learn her break and enter — as well as 81 others in the Belleville, Tweed and Ottawa areas — are being linked to the former CFB Trenton base commander. Police announced Thursday Williams is facing 82 new charges including break and enter and theft, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence and attempted break and enter.
Considering Williams is also facing two first degree murder charges in relation to the deaths of Jessica Lloyd and Marie France Comeau, the woman said she knows she is lucky there was only a break-in at her home.
"I guess I feel a little bit better knowing it was him and they've got him," the woman said. "It could have been worse, obviously."
While other alleged victims in the Tweed area opted not to discuss the break and enters to their homes, residents along Cosy Cove Lane expressed disbelief when they learned six of the new charges against Williams involve homes along their dead-end street. Williams and his wife had a summer cottage on Cosy Cove Lane and Williams lived alone there through the week while working at CFB Trenton.
Bill Page has resided on the short street for 17 years and would speak with Williams whenever he saw him. He said the initial arrest of Williams earlier this year, coupled with the new charges, has shocked the small community.
"People don't even lock their doors here," he said. "It's pretty shocking. It's going to take awhile for all of us to get over this and now, with these new charges, I think it'll take even longer."
However, Page said he knew police were continuing to investigate Williams' activity so further charges weren't that surprising. He said the community never suspected Williams last fall when two women in the neighbourhood were sexually assaulted by a man who broke into their homes. Williams, 47, was charged with two counts of forcible confinement and two counts of break and enter and sexual assault in relation to those home invasions.
Further down the road, Ernestine Cole said though she was surprised to learn of Williams' arrest it has not shaken her feeling of safety. She said even the new charges "don't really impact" her because the police insist they have their suspect in custody.
"I find it hard to believe it's happening but, really, it hasn't affected me in any way," she said.
Brian O'Coin, who lives at the intersection of Sulphide Road and Cosy Cove Lane, said the small community often discusses the man who was living in their midst and are relieved to know he is no longer among them.
Their feelings toward him are generally worn on their sleeves, O'Coin said.
"We all hate him. We all feel the same," he said. "We're all up in arms about it. We'll probably never get over it."
bmcvicar@intelligencer.ca
Women shocked by creeper charges
Women shocked by creeper charges
Posted By Jason Miller
April 29th, 2010
Jason Miller
The Intelligencer
Startling revelations about Col. Russell Williams being charged with 82 additional break and enter related offences was greeted with mix emotions by women in Belleville yesterday.
The new charges have been the main topic of discussion in the Friendly City, since it made media headlines. Hordes of media personal could be spotted in the downtown core on Thursday, as Williams made a five-minute video appearance at the Victoria Avenue provincial court.
Katrina Bradley said she "couldn't believe it" when news of the charges surfaced Thursday morning. Bradley was shocked by the barrage of charges and "how spread out it was."
"It really struck the core of our community," she said. "You don't know who to trust."
Bradley is curious as to how a criminal managed to move throughout so many neighbourhoods and commit the break-ins undetected. She said the latest bombshell news makes her think that investigators have "just started to scratch the surface."
She said the victims and their family's are left with the daunting task of finding closure amid the glare of the media.
"It makes me want to cry," she said.
Julie, who didn't give her last name, shared a smiler sentiment. She said the community is still coming to grips with the lost of Jessica Lloyd, for who's murder, Williams is charged. Julie said she was "floored" when she heard of the new discoveries, through a radio report.
"There are going to be other things that are going to come up if they continue digging," she said.
"His name is something we will remember forever," She added. "He was all over the place. Wherever he lived he left a trail. We just caught up to him."
She said, if the allegations are true, it must be heart wrenching for William's wife to come to grips with the fact that she was "living with a psychopath."
"There must have been some red flags," she said.
Tammy Gunter agreed that things went too far for her comfort. The Frankford woman said she's now more cognizant of suspicious activity in her area.
"He was actually living among us," she said. "It could have been anybody."
The hair stylist at the Pinnacle Street based Foxy Hair and Esthetics called the new charges "shocking.
"It makes you scared and more aware," she said. "I'm nervous of almost anyone looking at me. It's really sad that it was able to get to this point."
Williams was previously charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a Belleville woman and a CFB Trenton flight attendant.
The body of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville, was found on Feb. 7. Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, of Brighton, was discovered dead in her home last November.
Williams also faces two counts each of sexual assault and break and enter with intent in connection with a pair of home invasions in the Tweed area.
Williams was arrested in his Ottawa home Feb. 6.
Annie Macgregor said her door is always kept locked for extra protection.
"It's really shocking although not surprising," she said. "It was expected, because they were looking into his past."
"It makes me feel sick," she said. "I feel sadness for those women who have to deal with that on a daily basis."
jmiller@intelligencer.ca
Article ID# 2557062
Posted By Jason Miller
April 29th, 2010
Jason Miller
The Intelligencer
Startling revelations about Col. Russell Williams being charged with 82 additional break and enter related offences was greeted with mix emotions by women in Belleville yesterday.
The new charges have been the main topic of discussion in the Friendly City, since it made media headlines. Hordes of media personal could be spotted in the downtown core on Thursday, as Williams made a five-minute video appearance at the Victoria Avenue provincial court.
Katrina Bradley said she "couldn't believe it" when news of the charges surfaced Thursday morning. Bradley was shocked by the barrage of charges and "how spread out it was."
"It really struck the core of our community," she said. "You don't know who to trust."
Bradley is curious as to how a criminal managed to move throughout so many neighbourhoods and commit the break-ins undetected. She said the latest bombshell news makes her think that investigators have "just started to scratch the surface."
She said the victims and their family's are left with the daunting task of finding closure amid the glare of the media.
"It makes me want to cry," she said.
Julie, who didn't give her last name, shared a smiler sentiment. She said the community is still coming to grips with the lost of Jessica Lloyd, for who's murder, Williams is charged. Julie said she was "floored" when she heard of the new discoveries, through a radio report.
"There are going to be other things that are going to come up if they continue digging," she said.
"His name is something we will remember forever," She added. "He was all over the place. Wherever he lived he left a trail. We just caught up to him."
She said, if the allegations are true, it must be heart wrenching for William's wife to come to grips with the fact that she was "living with a psychopath."
"There must have been some red flags," she said.
Tammy Gunter agreed that things went too far for her comfort. The Frankford woman said she's now more cognizant of suspicious activity in her area.
"He was actually living among us," she said. "It could have been anybody."
The hair stylist at the Pinnacle Street based Foxy Hair and Esthetics called the new charges "shocking.
"It makes you scared and more aware," she said. "I'm nervous of almost anyone looking at me. It's really sad that it was able to get to this point."
Williams was previously charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a Belleville woman and a CFB Trenton flight attendant.
The body of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville, was found on Feb. 7. Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, of Brighton, was discovered dead in her home last November.
Williams also faces two counts each of sexual assault and break and enter with intent in connection with a pair of home invasions in the Tweed area.
Williams was arrested in his Ottawa home Feb. 6.
Annie Macgregor said her door is always kept locked for extra protection.
"It's really shocking although not surprising," she said. "It was expected, because they were looking into his past."
"It makes me feel sick," she said. "I feel sadness for those women who have to deal with that on a daily basis."
jmiller@intelligencer.ca
Article ID# 2557062
Williams appears in court facing 82 more charges
Williams appears in court facing 82 more charges
Posted By Jason Miller and W. Brice McVicar The Intelligencer
April 29th, 2010
Col. Russell Williams made a brief appearance in a Belleville provincial court Thursday morning, amid an additional 82 new charges being laid against him.
Williams, 46, the disgraced former colonel who served as base commander at CFB Trenton, was clean shaven with his trade mark buzz cut looking trimmed, compared to his last visit, when it was grown out.
One of the prison guards escorting Williams to the video conference room informed Justice of the peace Deanna Chapelle that "he's just on his way up here right now. He will be with you in a minute." A few seconds later Williams strolled into the room flanked by two prison guards, while another guard waited outside the door.
Williams seemed at ease as he stated his name "David Russell Williams", leaving out the colonel designation.
Williams looked nothing like a man who recently attempted a hunger strike after his suicide bid was foiled by guards the Napanee-based Quinte Detention Centre, where he has been since his arrest in February.
After a brief chat with duty counsel on the phone, Chapelle was informed that Williams was aware of the string of new charges levelled against him and he did not need for them to be read in court. Crown attorney Lee Burgess also informed Chapelle that "there has been disclosure provided" to William's legal team and more will be coming.
The 82 new charges all relate to break and enters and attempted break and enters in the areas of Belleville, Tweed and Ottawa with the bulk of charges stemming from the Tweed area.
The new charges by area are:
• Belleville: two counts of break, enter and theft
• Ottawa (all within the Fallingbrook area): 23 counts of break enter and theft, three counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence and eight counts of attempted break and enter
• Tweed: 36 counts of break, enter and theft, seven counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence and three counts of attempted break and enter.
Police said these charges "represent the known offences that have been linked to Russell Williams to date."
Sgt. Kristine Rae of the OPP said she could not expand on the "intent to commit an indictable offence" charges noting there are a number of things under the Criminal Code that are considered an indictable offence. Due to the fact the investigation is ongoing, she said, she could not reveal what that offences are.
"To be specific on the break and enters and what he was doing? No, I can't say because it's an ongoing investigation. We've got these 82 charges but there's still other things. The case is still being looked at," Rae said.
Further charges could come in the future as Rae said "nothing's been ruled out at this point."
Williams was previously charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a Belleville woman and a CFB Trenton flight attendant.
The body of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville, was found on Feb. 7. Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, of Brighton, was discovered dead in her home last November.
Williams also faces two counts each of sexual assault and break and enter with intent in connection with a pair of home invasions in the Tweed area.
Williams was arrested in his Ottawa home Feb. 6.
Ever since the bombshell story broke, it has been garnering national news headlines and Thursday was no different as journalists from national news organizations and television stations were in attendance to catch a glimpse of Williams in a packed courthouse.
Outside the Victoria Avenue courthouse, Lt.-Col. Tony O'Keeffe spoke with media about Williams' brief appearance and his regular meetings with him at the Quinte Regional Detention Centre. O'Keeffe, who has referred to Williams as a "friend" in the past, has been attending the former base commander's court appearances.
O'Keeffe fielded questions about William's supposed hunger strike and his publicized suicide attempt but regularly said he could not comment on those matters. He said in his meetings with Williams at the Napanee-area facility the pair do not discuss the charges.
"He doesn't talk about the case with me," he said. "We discussed his admin review and what the process is and the fact that we're in, I suppose, a holding pattern while the investigation unfolds.
"There hasn't been any developments since the thing started and the investigation is underway so people are being quite quiet about the whole thing. I'm not legal counsel and I'm not a spokesperson for him so nothing's been disclosed to me."
Article ID# 2556657
Posted By Jason Miller and W. Brice McVicar The Intelligencer
April 29th, 2010
Col. Russell Williams made a brief appearance in a Belleville provincial court Thursday morning, amid an additional 82 new charges being laid against him.
Williams, 46, the disgraced former colonel who served as base commander at CFB Trenton, was clean shaven with his trade mark buzz cut looking trimmed, compared to his last visit, when it was grown out.
One of the prison guards escorting Williams to the video conference room informed Justice of the peace Deanna Chapelle that "he's just on his way up here right now. He will be with you in a minute." A few seconds later Williams strolled into the room flanked by two prison guards, while another guard waited outside the door.
Williams seemed at ease as he stated his name "David Russell Williams", leaving out the colonel designation.
Williams looked nothing like a man who recently attempted a hunger strike after his suicide bid was foiled by guards the Napanee-based Quinte Detention Centre, where he has been since his arrest in February.
After a brief chat with duty counsel on the phone, Chapelle was informed that Williams was aware of the string of new charges levelled against him and he did not need for them to be read in court. Crown attorney Lee Burgess also informed Chapelle that "there has been disclosure provided" to William's legal team and more will be coming.
The 82 new charges all relate to break and enters and attempted break and enters in the areas of Belleville, Tweed and Ottawa with the bulk of charges stemming from the Tweed area.
The new charges by area are:
• Belleville: two counts of break, enter and theft
• Ottawa (all within the Fallingbrook area): 23 counts of break enter and theft, three counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence and eight counts of attempted break and enter
• Tweed: 36 counts of break, enter and theft, seven counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence and three counts of attempted break and enter.
Police said these charges "represent the known offences that have been linked to Russell Williams to date."
Sgt. Kristine Rae of the OPP said she could not expand on the "intent to commit an indictable offence" charges noting there are a number of things under the Criminal Code that are considered an indictable offence. Due to the fact the investigation is ongoing, she said, she could not reveal what that offences are.
"To be specific on the break and enters and what he was doing? No, I can't say because it's an ongoing investigation. We've got these 82 charges but there's still other things. The case is still being looked at," Rae said.
Further charges could come in the future as Rae said "nothing's been ruled out at this point."
Williams was previously charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of a Belleville woman and a CFB Trenton flight attendant.
The body of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville, was found on Feb. 7. Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, of Brighton, was discovered dead in her home last November.
Williams also faces two counts each of sexual assault and break and enter with intent in connection with a pair of home invasions in the Tweed area.
Williams was arrested in his Ottawa home Feb. 6.
Ever since the bombshell story broke, it has been garnering national news headlines and Thursday was no different as journalists from national news organizations and television stations were in attendance to catch a glimpse of Williams in a packed courthouse.
Outside the Victoria Avenue courthouse, Lt.-Col. Tony O'Keeffe spoke with media about Williams' brief appearance and his regular meetings with him at the Quinte Regional Detention Centre. O'Keeffe, who has referred to Williams as a "friend" in the past, has been attending the former base commander's court appearances.
O'Keeffe fielded questions about William's supposed hunger strike and his publicized suicide attempt but regularly said he could not comment on those matters. He said in his meetings with Williams at the Napanee-area facility the pair do not discuss the charges.
"He doesn't talk about the case with me," he said. "We discussed his admin review and what the process is and the fact that we're in, I suppose, a holding pattern while the investigation unfolds.
"There hasn't been any developments since the thing started and the investigation is underway so people are being quite quiet about the whole thing. I'm not legal counsel and I'm not a spokesperson for him so nothing's been disclosed to me."
Article ID# 2556657
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Commander inherits base shaken by slayings
Published On Sat Feb 20 2010
Allison Jones The Canadian Press
TRENTON, ONT.–Leadership at an air force base rocked by scandal changed hands Friday with the new commander urging the men and women of CFB Trenton to break through the dark cloud left by their former commander, who is now facing murder charges.
A pair of signatures on a certificate officially made Col. Dave Cochrane the leader of the shaken base. But it will take more than that to truly move past the allegations against Col. Russell Williams, a top air force officer said Friday.
"If (only) it was as easy as just signing a piece of paper and telling somebody, 'You got the job' and I'll be satisfied that we have a new wing commander and everything is going to be fine," Maj.-Gen. Yvan Blondin, commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, said at an assumption of command ceremony.
Cochrane assumed command of Canada's busiest air force base during the ceremony attended by hundreds of officers and dignitaries. With his family – wife Sherri and children Jamie, 13 and Lindsay, 12, – looking on, he urged the soldiers under his command to stay proud.
"Stand tall, ladies and gentlemen. You deserve it," Cochrane said.
Williams, 46, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau and Jessica Lloyd.
Williams was formally relieved of his command Thursday after making his first court appearance, via video.
Allison Jones The Canadian Press
TRENTON, ONT.–Leadership at an air force base rocked by scandal changed hands Friday with the new commander urging the men and women of CFB Trenton to break through the dark cloud left by their former commander, who is now facing murder charges.
A pair of signatures on a certificate officially made Col. Dave Cochrane the leader of the shaken base. But it will take more than that to truly move past the allegations against Col. Russell Williams, a top air force officer said Friday.
"If (only) it was as easy as just signing a piece of paper and telling somebody, 'You got the job' and I'll be satisfied that we have a new wing commander and everything is going to be fine," Maj.-Gen. Yvan Blondin, commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, said at an assumption of command ceremony.
Cochrane assumed command of Canada's busiest air force base during the ceremony attended by hundreds of officers and dignitaries. With his family – wife Sherri and children Jamie, 13 and Lindsay, 12, – looking on, he urged the soldiers under his command to stay proud.
"Stand tall, ladies and gentlemen. You deserve it," Cochrane said.
Williams, 46, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau and Jessica Lloyd.
Williams was formally relieved of his command Thursday after making his first court appearance, via video.
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