Murder case against Canadian ex-commander who flew Queen Elizabeth II postponed until Aug. 26

Elite Canadian officer’s murder hearing postponed

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 the country has been postponed until next month.

Col. Russell Williams was the commander of Canada’s largest Air Force base until he was charged earlier this year with the murder of two women and the sexual assault of two others. He was also charged with 82 break-ins.

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. He was told his case was postponed until Aug. 26. He was not asked to enter a plea.