Why in Heavens the press keep calling him "Colonel"

[Loralee Reach 245]

Col. Russell Williams to Plead Guilty: Lawyer

 

 

:sm185:

 

CBC News

The lawyer for Col. Russell Williams said Thursday that he intends to plead guilty to the murder, sexual assault and break-and-enter charges against him at a later date.

 

In a courtroom in Belleville, Ont., lawyer Michael Edelson gave the notification during what was Williams' first in-person appearance in front of a judge. No plea was actually entered Thursday.

 

Edelson said the decision was reached after reviewing thousands of pages of documents disclosed by the Crown and numerous meetings.

 

 

Colonel Russell Williams is seen leaving a Belleville, Ont., courtroom after his in-person hearing Thursday, Oct. 7. The lawyer for Col. Russell Williams said Thursday that he intends to plead guilty to the murder, sexual assault and break-and-enter charges against him at a later date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colonel Russell Williams is seen leaving a Belleville, Ont., courtroom after his in-person hearing Thursday, Oct. 7. The lawyer for Col. Russell Williams said Thursday that he intends to plead guilty to the murder, sexual assault and break-and-enter charges against him at a later date.

 

The hearing has now been adjourned. Williams' next court appearance is set for Oct. 18.

 

Williams, 47, has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of air force flight attendant Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37, who worked at CFB Trenton, and Jessica Lloyd, 27, of Belleville.

 

He has also been charged with home-invasion sex attacks on two women in September 2009 in eastern Ontario and with 82 breaking and entering charges.

 

Until Thursday, Williams had appeared only via video link from jail in Napanee, Ont.

 

Amid a heavy police presence, he arrived at the back of the Belleville courthouse in a grey van shortly before 8 a.m. ET. He was ushered into the building through a fenced-in area leading to a doorway.

 

Inside the courthouse, two metal detectors had been set up for the appearance and an overflow room was open with a video feed for the large crowds that were expected.

 

CBC News reporter Melanie Nagy said she had to take off her shoes, which were put through a metal detector. Once inside the courtroom, journalists had to turn off their cellphones and BlackBerry devices. They were given a four-page list of court rules.

 

Jessica Lloyd's mother entered the court carrying a framed picture of her daughter.

 

Williams wore a dark navy suit, and a collared white shirt with no tie. Silence fell as he entered the courtroom. He sat with his back to the gallery, a glass barrier between him and the public. As he waited for court to start, he sat head bowed, leaning forward.

 

Sentencing hearings in the case are expected to take four to five days, after which the judge will hand down the sentence.

 

With files from Amber Hildebrandt

[72Nova 116]

To answer your headline Loralee, he remains a commissioned officer, despite being imprisoned.

[Andee 220524]

Loralee: He will be dishonourably discharged from the military and will most certainly lose his rank after he is sentenced.

[WildTiger 1296]

The above is correct. Once convicted he will lose his rank, be demoted to 2nd Lt, lose his commission and all rights and benefits earned during his career. The media could simply refer to him by his name but reminding everyone that he is a senior military officer makes the story that much juicier. Unfortunately deviants such as Williams exist in all walks of society.

[Guest s******ecan****]

Personally I think it is useful to always remember him by his rank. It shows that no one is above the law, that monsters can come in many forms. This individual avoided early scrutiny in part because of his position, so it could be a reminder for us not to do so again.

[roamingguy 300292]

It is because as of yet, untill a guilty plea or finding of guilty, he is entitled to be presumed innocent untill proven guilty.

As for the military, if found guilty (or pleads guilty) Col Williams must return all salary earned from the date arrested till date found guilty.

Keep in mind, the rights he is afforded are the same rights all citizens enjoy, and the true test of a society when it can rise above it's revulsion, and afford a heinous accused criminal the same rights as your average law abiding ciitizen

RG

[Sappho 1247]

Personally I think it is useful to always remember him by his rank. It shows that no one is above the law, that monsters can come in many forms. This individual avoided early scrutiny in part because of his position, so it could be a reminder for us not to do so again.

 

 

I could not have said it better!