GUILTY Canada - Marie-France Comeau, 37, & Jessica Lloyd, 27, slain, Ont, 2009 & 2010 - #3

[Valleyboy]

Russell Williams to plead guilty to murders: lawyer

http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101007/101007_williams_charges/20101007/?hub=CP24Home


BELLEVILLE, Ont. — The lawyer for former top military officer Col. Russell Williams says his client intends to plead guilty to charges of first-degree murder, sexual assault, and break and enter.

His lawyer is telling a Belleville, Ont., courtroom today that Williams will plead guilty at his next court appearance on Oct. 18.

Williams was a rising star in the military before being charged in February with first-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37.

Comeau was found dead in her home in Brighton, Ont., last November while Lloyd was found in nearby Tweed.

The 47-year-old also faces charges of sex assault and break and enter, in which women's lingerie was stolen.

Comeau was found dead in her home in Brighton, Ont., 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, ferrying the Governor General, the prime minister and other dignitaries on domestic and overseas trips.

Court documents show Williams is alleged to have burglarized Comeau's home some 10 days before she was found dead on Nov. 25. The information does not specify what was allegedly stolen.

Lloyd was found dumped on a dirt road in nearby Tweed, where Williams also lived. She worked in Napanee, Ont., co-ordinating school-bus schedules.

Colleagues of the 23-year officer with an otherwise flawless record repeatedly described him as a wonderful person and stellar performer.

Before his arrest, police had been looking for a suspect in two home invasions near Williams' house in eastern Ontario in which women were tied up and sexually assaulted.

Police initially focused on one neighbourhood resident.

 

[Wondergirl]

Harriman motion put over

By LUKE HENDRY THE INTELLIGENCER

Posted 4 hours ago

A civil court motion by the wife of Col. Russ Williams to seal her personal information from the public record has been adjourned until January 25.

http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2789247

 

[Wondergirl]

I went in front of a judge to tell him about blackberry use case law. He says he is aware.

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 10:43 AM

Media lawyers will have a chance to argue the blackberry ban in court on Oct.14

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 10/7/2010 2:40:43 PM 10:40 AM

The brother of one of the murder victims says she misses his sisters smile

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 10:49 AM

Live Blog here:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Live+blog+Trenton+commander+Belleville+court/3637006/story.html

 

[Valleyboy]

Courthouse a fortress

http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2789255

The Superior Court and Hastings County building has been converted into a fortress for the appearance today of one of the most notorious prisoners in a Canadian jail today.

The only opportunity the public and media will have to view Col. Russell Williams during his court appearance will be in the actual courtroom thanks to sweeping security enhancements at the Pinnacle Street courthouse.


The site of the accused murderer's scheduled court appearance was a flurry of activity Wednesday as police officers prepared the county building for an anticipated throng of public and media. Outside, a large fence, draped with a thick green tarp, was erected at the door where prisoners are normally freely and openly escorted into the building.

Inside the court, metal detectors have been set up to scan each individual entering the courtrooms -- two rooms have been prepared, with one specifically set aside to handle the "overflow" of media and spectators who don't get a place in the limited seating of the third-floor courtroom where Williams will appear.

The second will feature closed circuit television of the appearance for overflow viewing.

Insp. Mike Graham of the Belleville police service said the increased security is being put in place due to the public interest in the case.

"You're seeing a larger presence of police officers and, obviously, you know how serious this case is and ... the media and public attention it's garnered. Having said that, we've increased our security quite a bit," Graham said.

He said those who attend the hearing can expect to see a large contingent of police officers and anyone entering the courtrooms being "checked for any type of weapons or materials that could cause damage or hurt anybody."

Graham said he is not aware of any specific threats being made toward Williams, however.

While there have been court cases in the city over the years that have attracted national attention none compare to the Williams case, said the veteran officer.

"Nothing this big. We've had some big cases, but I've never seen anything garner this much publicity or this much public interest," he said.

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Graham added motorists will not be permitted to park along Pinnacle Street between Campbell and Patterson streets beginning at 9 p.m. on Wednesday through to 6 p.m. Thursday. Those restrictions are in place as police expect a fleet of satellite uplink trucks from television media outlets.

The public is welcome to attend the court, Graham said, though they may not get in and should expect to stand due to limited seating.

"We're expecting a large number of people so if you're interested be prepared to stand in a long line and be prepared to be thoroughly searched," he said.

Williams has been charged in the homicides of Cpl. Marie- France Comeau and Jessica Lloyd as well as violent sexual assaults on two women from the Tweed area. Charges stemming from 82 break and enters in the Hastings County and Ottawa areas have also been filed against the former commander of CFB Trenton.

 

[Macright]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...o-plead-guilty-to-all-charges/article1747202/

 

[Macright]

I hope now the military stops all monies being paid to this SOB since his arrest and demands the refund of his monthly pay since his arrest along with a dishonourable dismissal from the military..

 

[Summersolstice]

Snipped by me:

"No additional charges are immediately anticipated."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...-pleads-guilty-to-all-charges/article1747202/[/QUOTE]

I cannot see how a serial offender would suddenly start committing crimes out of the blue at such a rapid pace as was the case here. Let's hope that the BBY is correct.

 

[Summersolstice]

I hope now the military stops all monies being paid to this SOB since his arrest and demands the refund of his monthly pay since his arrest along with a disgraceful dismissal from the military..

You've brought up a point that I hope someone can answer. Robert Semrau was both dismissed and demoted. I don't understand the consequence of doing both. Does it have to do with pensions, and will such a person retain pension monies? This would be of interest in the civil suit against RW.

 

[Wondergirl]

Video Feed here on the proceedings:

CTV News:

Recap

-Williams was brought in at 9:50 am

-The hearing lasted approximately 20 minutes, during which the handcuffs were removed from Williams

-He will be pleading guilty on October 18th to all charges, the 2 murder charges, the 2 sexual assault charges, and 82 + other charges

-Victim Impact Statements will be read by the families during sentencing, which will occur immediately after the plea on October 18th.

-Williams was blank faced and emotionless and the full courthouse and the video link rooom were both charged with electricity. Belleville Police Chief Cory McMullan was in court.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...court_101007/20101007?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

 

[Macright]

You've brought up a point that I hope someone can answer. Robert Semrau was both dismissed and demoted. I don't understand the consequence of doing both. Does it have to do with pensions, and will such a person retain pension monies? This would be of interest in the civil suit against RW.

I'm not certain if his military "pension" can be touched but it could be "frozen" until the civil case is determined. We all know that he will receive his OAP which he could use to spend in the "tuck shop" in prison..

I only hope that after the families speak in court on the 18th that he is thrown into a max. prison to be a cell mate to his friend Bernardo..

In the case of Semrau I would think that he will be reinbursed any funds that he has paid into a military pension but no severance pay.

 

[Wondergirl]

It must be so devastating for the family.

Andy Lloyd, brother of Jessica Lloyd, a victim in the Col. Russell Williams' case. Oct. 7, 2010.

Lloyd's brother Andy told reporters outside the courthouse on Thursday that news of the forthcoming guilty plea has not necessarily brought closure to his family.

"I don't know if closure is the right word but can move forward," he said.

He said his family has a lot of questions they'd like to ask Williams but they are not interested in hearing an apology.

"There are a lot of different questions, 'how' and 'why' are good ones but there are all kinds of questions," he said. "I think everybody would want to hear an explanation of what happened."

Lloyd said he misses his sister's smile and wants to remember her as the happy, outgoing and much loved woman she was

The plea will be officially entered on Oct. 18. A sentencing hearing, complete with victim impact statements, will begin immediately afterwards. The process is expected to last about a week.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...court_101007/20101007?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

 

[Wondergirl]

More from Andy here:

In August, after the colonel waived his right to a preliminary hearing, Andy Lloyd, the older brother of Jessica, said he hoped the decision to skip the preliminary hearing would mean a quicker end to the process.


"It has been long enough," Lloyd said. "It feels good the process is actually getting started now."


The grieving older brother said at the time that just looking at Williams is emotional.

"They say time heals all," he said. "Well it's going to take a very long time . . . our wounds haven't closed yet."


Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news...s+next+month/3637143/story.html#ixzz11geAV58C​

 

[antiquegirl]

I hope now the military stops all monies being paid to this SOB since his arrest and demands the refund of his monthly pay since his arrest along with a dishonourable dismissal from the military..

I think we can pretty much count on all of the above.

"He will also have to repay to the military the roughly $12,000 per month he has been receiving in salary since his arrest in February."

(From your previous Globe & Mail link.)

JMO

 

[antiquegirl]

Except for a few interviews with MFC's boyfriend, I don't recall hearing anything about the family of this poor victim. Do any of you have any links where family is mentioned? Were they in court today? Everyone has some family. Are they keeping a low profile, or did I just miss it?

 

[Macright]

I think we can pretty much count on all of the above.

"He will also have to repay to the military the roughly $12,000 per month he has been receiving in salary since his arrest in February."

(From your previous Globe & Mail link.)

JMO

right...I must have missed that in my anger but I did notice they have continued to add to the article as info continues..

I somehow feel that there will be more civil cases to come from the families of the murdered girls.. I agree with Jessica's brother's remark when asked if MEH should be considered a victim..

 

[Wondergirl]

Live blog: The Russell Williams trial

Some of the victims' family members shook their heads as Williams was brought into court.

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:32 AM

Belleville's chief of police sat in the jury box beside an OPP investigator involved in the case.

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:31 AM

Several family members of the victims wiped away tears and stared at Williams during his appearance.

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:30 AM

The courtroom was packed Thursday morning. Family members were emotional as Williams was escorted into the court.

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:29 AM

The family of the two murder victims were escorted into the court. It looked almost like a funeral procession.

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:09 AM

Williams was clean shave, wearing a black suit, white shirt and brown shoes

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:08 AM

Now that I'm out of court I will tweet more about what happened inside

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:07 AM

Llody's mother carried a framed picture of her into court

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:06 AM

Andy Lloyd says he knew ahead of time that Williams will plead guilty

by meghan_hurley via twitter at 11:04 AM

Live Blog by Ottawa Citizen Reporter:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Live+blog+Trenton+commander+Belleville+court/3637006/story.html

 

[Summersolstice]

Except for a few interviews with MFC's boyfriend, I don't recall hearing anything about the family of this poor victim. Do any of you have any links where family is mentioned? Were they in court today? Everyone has some family. Are they keeping a low profile, or did I just miss it?

MFC grew up in a military family:

http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2010-2011/abovesuspicion/gallerycomeau.html

http://cmm.lefora.com/2010/09/11/comeau-corporal-marie-france-former-colonel-russel/

As referenced above:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=214511868775

I recall one interview with her father. Where is that?

As noted above, MFC's home was taken apart iby LE n the search for evidence.

I don't know if this is relevant, but MFC's stepson works here:

http://www.energiecardio.com/fr/index.php?page=apropos-centres-conditionnement-physique.php&sec=2

 

[Macright]

From the Ottawa Sun..

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/canada/2010/10/07/15613191.html

 

[Wondergirl]

MEH has maintained contact with him and visited him several times in prison, CBC News has learned. She is said to have helped him rally after his reported suicide attempt earlier this year.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/10/06/williams-plea.html#ixzz11dRZ5Oal

I wonder if MEH is reading the newspaper, listening to the news etc or is she living in a nutshell and avoiding all media outlets. How could ANYONE still provide support to this monster after reading what he did in the graphic details that the journalists are supplying us.

BBM: I wonder this myself.

MEH rallied to help RW after his suicide attempt????

That speaks volumes to me.

 

[Wondergirl]

When Williams appeared in person in the courtroom at 10 a.m. the victims’s families were wiping away tears. As the session began they were staring intently at the colonel, who was sombre and subdued. He had been brought into the court early in the morning.​

An officer removed his handcuffs and he sat in the prisoner’s box flanked on either side by police officers. Nearby sat the chief of police from Belleville, Cory McMullan and the lead OPP investigator in the case, Insp. Chris Nicholas. ​

After Michael Edelson, a prominent Ottawa attorney, told the court of William’s intention to plead guilty, crowd left the court and both defence and Crown attorneys greeted the media. The appearance lasted about 15 minutes. ​

The Oct. 18 sentencing is to last four days. First-degree murder brings with it an automatic sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole before 25 years. He will also have to repay the 12,000 a month he has received as salary from the Canadian Forces. ​

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/L...eville+court/3637006/story.html#ixzz11h4EZP4h​