Belleville, Ont. • Colonel Russell Williams left court under the scrutiny of an Ontario Provincial Police tactical squad yesterday afternoon for the 82-kilometre drive to Kingston Penitentiary, where he will not only settle into a protected cell to serve his life sentence but also take his place as “one of the worst offenders in Canadian history.”
The dramatic end to one of the most perplexing and troubling criminal cases — in which a decorated and respected military officer commanding Canada’s largest air force base transformed himself into a degenerate killer and sexual predator — came in profound words that explained why the case has left a mark but offered no answer as to how it could have happened.
“Because of Russell Williams we are a community where women now feel unsafe in their homes and where their spouses, their families and friends feel unsafe at leaving them alone. One might think the capture of the perpetrator might start to alleviate that fear, but for many people it has not,” said Crown Attorney Lee Burgess in the prosecution’s closing address.
“Rather, many people look at what this man’s station and stature was in society and ask: ‘How can I ever feel safe in my home?’ ”
There was no doubt about the sentence Williams, 47, would receive — his guilty plea to two first-degree murders required a life sentence without chance of parole for 25 years — but what answers and explanations might be offered was the haunting question for all lining up for yesterday’s highly anticipated appearance.
And while some of Williams’ many victims were grateful to see him humiliated, vilified and punished, they left court without satisfaction, even after a dramatic statement delivered by Williams himself, who stood and sobbed his way through a message that lasted precisely four minutes, his first since his shocking double life was revealed.
“I stand before you, Your Honour, indescribably ashamed,” he began.
Williams then acknowledged the pain his crimes have caused, mentioning by name four women: Marie-France Comeau, 37, and Jessica Lloyd, 27, whom he raped, tortured and murdered; and two women he forcibly confined and sexually assaulted.
“The understandable hatred that was expressed yesterday and that has been palpable throughout the week has me recognize that most will find it impossible to accept, but the fact is, I very deeply regret what I have done and the harm I know I have caused to many.
“I have committed despicable crimes, Your Honour, and in the process betraying my family, my friends and colleagues and the Canadian Forces.”
The theme of betrayal, as well as brutality, resonated throughout a moving submission from Mr. Burgess that was, uncharacteristically for Canadian courts, greeted by rousing applause.
“What makes it more despicable is this was a man who was above reproach. That a man with this nature could commit such monstrosities really makes you feel that the world is no longer a safe place, no matter where you are,” he said.
“In addition to the fear he instilled, he transformed this community because he betrayed this community, and he betrayed the military and he betrayed the men and women who honourably serve the military.
“The armed forces appointed him a colonel and the head of the country’s largest air force base. He would be seen as a leader on that base and in this community.
“He exploited that to help divert suspicion from himself and, no doubt, he laughed at us as he lived the life of great community leader by day and that of a serial criminal by night.”
Court heard how Williams photographed his sexual assault of a woman on Sept. 17, 2009, invaded another home on Sept. 18 in one of his 84 fetish burglaries in which women’s and girls’ underwear were befouled and stolen, and then, on Sept. 19, dropped the ceremonial face-off puck at a Belleville, Ont., hockey game.
Court heard how he had beaten, raped and murdered Ms. Comeau, a corporal stationed at CFB Trenton, on Sept. 24, 2009, and a few weeks later, was cheered through town as he carried the Olympic Torch on behalf of the men and women stationed at the base.
Court heard how he had attended the swearing-in ceremony of the city’s deputy chief of police, chatting with the senior police command and other dignitaries on Jan. 5, already a killer and predator, and then, just 24 days later, kidnapped, raped and murdered Ms. Lloyd.
“That the victims suffered trauma at the hands of Mr. Williams is an understatement,” said Mr. Burgess.
“They were violated not only by this man’s hands but by his lens. Their lives were ended for no more reason than the sexual gratification of this man.
“Russell Williams is simply one of the worst offenders, ever, in Canadian history. He is one of the handful of despicable, heinous, self-centred individuals who terrorized and traumatized victims and killed some of his victims without a shred of remorse.”
Even Williams’ defence lawyer, Michael Edelson, could find little good to say about his client.
“As defence counsel for Mr. Williams, we acknowledge that the Crown’s presentation of the evidence against him with its graphic descriptions, disturbing photographs and chilling narratives of his sinister crimes has left a deep and indelible mark on everyone associated with this case,” he told Justice Robert Scott.
When passing judgment on Williams, Judge Scott was also left with the mystery of how the elite pilot who had flown the Queen, Prime Minister and other dignitaries during their official travels could suddenly embark on such a dark path.
“The depths of the depravity demonstrated by Russell Williams have no equal,” the judge said.
“One suspects that he has contained for most of his adult life sexual desires and fetishes. However, in 2007, these inner thoughts began to control his private actions, pushing him deeper and deeper into criminal behaviour, which culminated in the brutal and senseless murders of two innocents.
“Russell Williams lived a charmed life — the best of education, a leader of men and women, a respected rising star in our beloved armed forces. His double life fooled most people.
“Russell Williams’ fall from grace has been swift and sure.”
Outside court, a large contingent of Ms. Lloyd’s family and friends, some of whom had made emotional victim impact statements in court on Wednesday, were as satisfied as could be in such circumstances.
“As long as he dies in jail, I’m happy,” said Andy Lloyd, Ms. Lloyd’s brother. “This is the best thing that’s happened to our family since this stuff has happened…. We just want to be normal again.”
At CFB Trenton yesterday, the base where Williams once commanded 3,000 men and women, it was announced that he will face a military court martial to strip him of his rank and his decorations and force him to pay back salary he has continued to collect since his arrest on Feb. 7.
It will strip him of the four yellow stripes on the cuffs of the blue air force uniform he was so often pictured in during his ceremonial duties.
The image of the crisp uniform and smart salutes Williams once embraced has been replaced by the haunting and preposterous photographs released in court, self-portraits he took of himself masturbating in little girls’ underwear and women’s lacy bras.
“I shall spend the rest of my life regretting above all that I have ended two vibrant, innocent and cherished lives,” he told Judge Scott.
