Williams paid $12K a month behind bars

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