Murder case against ex-commander who flew Queen Elizabeth II delayed until April

Elite Canadian officer’s murder trial delayed

BELLEVILLE, Ontario — A preliminary hearing in the murder case against a former Canadian military commander who once flew Queen Elizabeth II and other dignitaries around his country has been delayed until late April.

Col. Russell Williams was the commander of Canada’s largest Air Force base until he was charged last month with the murder of two women, including one under his command, and the sexual assault of two others.

Williams appeared before the court in Belleville, Ontario, briefly Thursday via a video link from the Quinte Detention Centre where he is being held in isolation. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit and appearing unshaven, his military buzz cut grown out, he stood before the camera with none of the crispness usually displayed by military officers.

He was told his case was put off until April 29 and was asked if he understood that meant he would be remanded in custody until then.

“Yes, thank you,” he said in a strong, polite voice.

He was not asked to enter a plea. His case was put over until next month to allow his lawyer to digest what was described in court as a substantial disclosure package. The judge imposed a publication ban on other details.

Williams, 47, is charged with the first-degree murder of Jessica Lloyd, 27, whose body was found last month, and Marie Comeau, a 38-year-old corporal found dead in her home in November. Both women were asphyxiated. Comeau was under Williams’ command

Authorities said Williams came to the attention of police during a roadside canvas on Feb. 4, six days after Lloyd was deemed missing.

He is also charged with forcible confinement, breaking and entering and sexual assault after two women were sexually assaulted during two separate home invasions in the Tweed, Ontario area in September 2009.

Williams was once an elite pilot who flew prime ministers. He was the commanding officer of the royal tour flights that flew Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip when they visited Canada in 2005 to celebrate the 100th birthday of the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta.

The 23-year military veteran was appointed as the base commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Trenton, Ontario last July. Trenton is Canada’s busiest Air Force base and provides logistical support for Canada’s missions in Haiti and Afghanistan.

The charges against Williams has left Canada’s military in a state of shock.

Lt. Col. Tony O’Keeffe, military officer assigned to observe the hearings, said Thursday that Williams appeared to be a shadow of the man he once described as an intellectual and professional.

O’Keeffe, who has visited Williams in jail several times, said after Williams’ last court appearance in February that he considered him a friend. O’Keeffe said Thursday he could no longer consider him as such, saying he “no longer has empathy” for Williams.

He said Williams has not asked him any questions about his family, nor about the mood at the Trenton base.

“He hasn’t said a word,” he said. “I’m guessing he’s not getting a lot of rest.”