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Russell Williams charged in 2 x murders, confinement, sexual assault.

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old medic said:
They are just reprinting the official bio, found here;
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/page-eng.asp?id=964
Which is why geeks like me PDF them before they disappear get reprinted.  ;)
 
As with any organization with as many people as the CF employs, you will get occurrences like this.  It is very regretable, but not a reflection of the CF as an organization.  Hopefully, whomever is in charge of headline creation for the various news agencies will bear that in mind. 
 
I tried to be subtle when I asked where the presumption of innocence was,because I didnt see it in the news media nor here at army.ca. These charges are a gutshot to his family who if they are smart wont read the public comments in the papers. Whether Colonel Williams is guilty of an offense or not is not up to us to judge at the moment. Give the man some courtesy, if for nothing else his service to Canada.

When I heard about this case the Duke Lacross rape story came to mind. The students while not very smart events showed they werent guilty of the crime the media and prosecutor condemned them of. In the end everyone had egg on their face and reputations were ruined. I would rather give Colonel Williams the benefit of the doubt now rather than looking like an idiot later.
 
Service to your country doesn't exempt one from being a criminal. You're right to suggest withholding judgement and so far I haven't a lot of posters jumping to conclusions. I think that drawing parallels to any other cases - including the Duke Lacrosse case - also leads people to make assumptions. Let's let the case unfold as it will and try to stick to the facts.
 
tomahawk6 said:
I tried to be subtle when I asked where the presumption of innocence was,because I didnt see it in the news media nor here at army.ca. These charges are a gutshot to his family who if they are smart wont read the public comments in the papers. Whether Colonel Williams is guilty of an offense or not is not up to us to judge at the moment. Give the man some courtesy, if for nothing else his service to Canada.

The same allegations against any citizen would have the exact same effect upon their family.

We can't say on the one hand - "His service to his country has nothing to do with this so leave it out of the equation" ... while on the other hand saying "give the man some courtesy, if for nothing else his service to Canada". That is wanting to have our cake and eat it too.

If the former Comd 8 Wg, had been charged with the exact same things and was the CEO of "Google", Ford, or Bombardier for example ... the headlines would ALL read exactly the same way they are reading now ... "CEO of Bombardier charged with 2 counts of first degree murder" etc etc.

His position and rank within the CF are being mentionned exactly because of "who" he was and the position of authority and trust he held. Exactly as they would be for similar stature public sector or private sector persons who would find themselves charged with like crimes.

So far, the media is stating the facts. I'm hearing a lot of "charged with" and "unsolved major crimes are being revisited in areas where he previously worked" ... those are facts. Those facts are also no different than what would be in the news for anyone else.

So far, I haven't seen a single paper declare him guilty. I have seen a whole whopping lot of articles and newsstories containing statements such as "none of these allegations have been proven in court". I heard those exact same statements in stories long prior to Williams' arrest. In stories about unemployed pers charged with murder, doctors charged with murder, poloticians charged with murder (Colin Thatcher anyone?).

Of course part of the story is "who he was and what poition he happened to be employed in" just as it would be for anyone else, but so far - I haven't seen a single thing saying any crime occured "because he was military or because of the position he held".

He is charged with multiple crimes. He has yet to be proven guilty in a court of law. He was employed in a position of authority and trust within the CF. Those are facts. He does not deserve any more "leeway due to service" than the "unemployed plumber charged with multiple murder" or "postal employee charged with multiple counts of murder" would.

And, it is quite "normal" for LE for look back into prior possible associations with other crimes for ANYONE charged with similar crimes.

My thoughts and prayers for the victims' families in these allegations and anyone else affected. 

Just my .02 cents worth.
 
Nemo888 said:
.....in 2000 there was a suspicious missing person that I thought was a murder.
Where was the Col. in 2000/2001?
Gee, you could check the Colonel's bio...two whole posts above your query

....or you could live by your own avatar sub-text*



*
Nemo888
Stupid people don't know they're stupid.
 
"We rely on each other. We work closely together. These people are our neighbours, friends and family,'' said the mayor. "This is just one individual who has been charged. It should not be a reflection of how the community perceives the base.''

I'm glad someone said it. I was thinking "Ah crap, looks like it's the Somalia/CAR treatment for this current generation."

Hopefully everything is taken care of justly and not at the mercy of media hype.
 
rmc_wannabe said:
I'm glad someone said it. I was thinking "Ah crap, looks like it's the Somalia/CAR treatment for this current generation."
Hopefully everything is taken care of justly and not at the mercy of media hype.

Really? I haven't seen a single news outlet - electronic, print, or televised - come even close to suggesting that this event is related "to his service" or "systemic of military service" or "representative of military service".

As I stated earlier - I've yet to see anyone state or imply that any crime occured BECAUSE he was military or even to associate the crimes "with the military". But, I have seen them associate the "suspect himself" with the military and, sadly, that is a fact but is not unlike the fact that would be reported no matter where he worked or no matter the position he held.

Please point out to me where exactly, any media (or member posting here on the site) has associated "the military" with the "commission" of the crimes as was the case with Somalia in the medias insistance on "systemic military problems caused this". 

I have yet to see anyone attempt to "tar the rest of us" with the "accused's brush" as it were.

 
Public Affairs Guidance

8 February 2010

Charges laid against Col Russell WIlliams, 8 wing commander, trenton.


SITUATION

On February 8, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) charged Col Russell Williams, Commander 8 Wing, with two counts of first degree murder and other charges.

The OPP has the lead, and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) has assisted and continues to assist the OPP with their case.

A news conference was held at 1300hrs on 8 Feb 2010, which involved the OPP Deputy Commissioner, Case Manager and chief of local police. During the news conference, the OPP mentioned that the CFNIS has assisted and continues to assist the OPP as required. The fact that the CFNIS was mentioned demonstrates that the CF is engaged and is taking this issue very seriously.

A statement by Chief of the Air Staff regarding the arrest was issued through Marketwire at 1530hrs on 8 Feb 2010, to which reference can be made if requests are received for Air Force comment on this issue.

It is anticipated that this issue will attract interest from the media and the general Canadian public.

PURPOSE

This Public Affairs Guidance (PAG) is intended to provide CF members and DND personnel with guidance for dealing with media and public queries related to the arrest of COMD 8 Wing. 

PA GUIDANCE

All are reminded that, in accordance with DAOD 2008-2, CF members and DND employees should not offer personal opinion or comment on details related to these projects that fall outside of their areas of expertise or responsibility. This also applies to base newspapers.
Media Queries

It is reasonable to expect the media to request interviews with and invite comments from members of DND/CF.  The best way to ensure that queries are addressed by the appropriate DND/CF spokesperson and that key leaders remain informed, is to refer questions from reporters to the MLO at 1-866-377-0811 (anywhere in Canada) // 613-996-2353 (locally and international).

The MLO is the coordination centre for media that have any questions related to DND/CF.  The office is always manned and is run after hours on a duty officer basis.  The reporter’s request is then logged and sent to the appropriate account(s) for action. 

A biography and photo of Commander 8 Wing are available on the 8 Wing website: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/page-eng.asp?id=964
Beyond this, CF members cannot comment or speculate on this serious issue due to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.

Questions about the police investigation should be directed to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Constable Chris Dewsbury, Northumberland OPP, 613-475-1313.

Highlights are mine.

Feel free to interpret the directive as you see fit. Seems pretty clear, cut and dried to me.

Now, Milnet.ca takes your privacy and confidentiality seriously. Having said that, anyone that thinks they are anonymous on the internet, Milnet notwithstanding, better think again.

Milnet.ca Staff
 
rmc_wannabe said:
I'm glad someone said it. I was thinking "Ah crap, looks like it's the Somalia/CAR treatment for this current generation."

Hopefully everything is taken care of justly and not at the mercy of media hype.

I really dont think we have to worry about the airborne consequences happening in this case.  We are living in different times now.  As a result of Afghanistan, the Canadian public has become much fonder of its military and, in particular, seems to have adopted the army in a special way.

This simply was not the case back in the early 90s.  Its ironic, because back in the 90s the CF was engaged in peacekeeping missions that make the public feel all warm and fuzzy, and yet, we didnt see the type of support and admiration that we do now, while engaged in a warfighting mission - something that Canadians tend not to feel warm and fuzzy about.
 
ArmyVern said:
Really? I haven't seen a single news outlet - electronic, print, or televised - come even close to suggesting that this event is related "to his service" or "systemic of military service" or "representative of military service".

As I stated earlier - I've yet to see anyone state or imply that any crime occured BECAUSE he was military or even to associate the crimes "with the military". But, I have seen them associate the "suspect himself" with the military and, sadly, that is a fact but is not unlike the fact that would be reported no matter where he worked or no matter the position he held.

Please point out to me where exactly, any media (or member posting here on the site) has associated "the military" with the "commission" of the crimes as was the case with Somalia in the medias insistance on "systemic military problems caused this". 

I have yet to see anyone attempt to "tar the rest of us" with the "accused's brush" as it were.

You may want to read this Vern.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/murder-charges-may-unfairly-tarnish-militarys-reputation/article1462181/
 
FSTO said:
You may want to read this Vern.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/murder-charges-may-unfairly-tarnish-militarys-reputation/article1462181/

Note the title of the article you linked. Note the word "unfairly".

Now read the article and see where (ie who) the comments regarding "this may very well tarnish ...". Not exactly your average Canadian "without" an agenda is he?. One man's comment.

Now, the overall gist of that article is is a reminder to "NOT tar us all with the same brush".

But unless and until such evidence emerges, the military, like the accused, should be presumed innocent.
 
ArmyVern said:
Note the title of the article you linked. Note the word "unfairly".

Now read the article and see where (ie who) the comments regarding "this may very well tarnish ...". Not exactly your average Canadian "without" an agenda is he?. One man's comment.

Now, the overall gist of that article is is a reminder to "NOT tar us all with the same brush".

Oh I see that Ibbitson does the CYA thing at the end. But even interviewing Staples (who has an agenda as big as a CVN) goes a long wasy (to me) towards displaying this reporters true colours.
 
The case against the colonel: 'Lingerie break-ins' and a 'treasure trove' of photo evidence

(Here reproduced in accordance with the Fair Dealing provision (29) of the Copyright Act.)

Christie Blatchford

Published on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 12:00AM EST Last updated on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 8:13AM EST


Colonel Russell Williams has given police a lengthy and wide-ranging statement about four dozen so-called "lingerie break-ins," two home invasions that turned into bizarre sexual assaults last September, and the murders of two young women, one a military steward with whom he may have flown. Several sources have also told The Globe and Mail that the 46-year-old commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton took detectives to the body of Jessica Lloyd, a 27-year-old who suddenly disappeared on Jan. 29 after texting a friend she had safely arrived home. The Globe has also learned that while Col. Williams was in countless photographs in the base newspaper, The Contact, since taking over the job last summer - there is hardly an issue without at least several pictures of the lantern-jawed veteran - more ominously, he was also an avid amateur photographer. Sources say that he photographed the murders and sexual attacks. His computer, once examined by forensic specialists, is expected to yield what one source called "a treasure trove" of evidence.

After Sunday's extraordinary interview with officers from the OPP's criminal behavioural analysis section, Col. Williams was formally charged with two murders - Ms. Lloyd's and the Nov. 25 slaying of Corporal Marie-France Comeau - and the two unusual sexual assaults in nearby Tweed, Ont., last fall.

The key officer in the room was Detective-Sergeant Jim Smith, who last year had obtained a statement in the abduction and murder of eight-year-old Tori Stafford of Woodstock, Ont., last summer. According to those close to the investigation, Col. Williams' statement was delivered in a crisp, almost business-like fashion, less out of contrition, it appeared, than out of a sense of duty ingrained during a 22-year military career. Because of his seeming frankness and willingness to talk to investigators, while police are checking into other unsolved cases at bases where Col. Williams was previously posted, he isn't considered a suspect in any of those.

Yet all the while he was allegedly and abruptly acting out his fantasies, Col. Williams was also filling his calendar with the busy quasi-social whirl of a base commander, a role with a huge grip-and-grin component. Between the Nov. 25 slaying last year of Corp. Comeau and the disappearance of Ms. Lloyd late last month, for instance, Col. Williams was cheerfully posing with a variety of visiting base guests, among them Santa Claus and former Chief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier, then on his book tour; taking part in myriad events, including a "jail and bail" charity fundraiser in which he was photographed being arrested and put behind fake bars for "being too young to be a Wing Commander," kicking off a curling bonspiel, and writing a year-end letter to the men and women under his command.

Ms. Lloyd was abducted from her house, the tire tracks left behind in the snow the first link police ever had - though they didn't know it at first - to the eminently respectable base commander.  Last Thursday, police set up a version of the familiar RIDE spot check, a sort of mobile version of a door-to-door search, along rural Highway 37, which runs north from Highway 401 at Belleville to the municipality of Tweed. They were looking to match the unusual tire treads found outside Ms. Lloyd's house. Col. Williams, behind the wheel of his Pathfinder and not the BMW people most often saw him drive, happened to get caught in that roadside check. If it was the first indication he could have been involved, it was not the last.  The 37-year-old Corp. Comeau had been under his command; Ms. Lloyd lived just off Highway 37 close to Belleville, and the two women who were sexually assaulted in September lived on the street in Tweed, Cozy Cove Lane, where Col. Williams and his wife, who works in Ottawa and lives there during the week, have a cottage. Detectives also had descriptions of lingerie and other intimate souvenirs reported missing by the two Tweed women who were assaulted in their homes last fall. Although the victims' faces were covered, as was their attacker's, they were able to tell police that they had been "posed" and photographed by their assailant.

Given the sudden escalation in violence between the September break-ins/assaults and the lethal attack upon Corp. Comeau in November, police believed at first they likely were dealing with two different perpetrators. Corp. Comeau was a steward on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to India in early November. By the time the Prime Minister headed to China the next month, her body had been discovered by her boyfriend in her Brighton, Ont., home.  Given the statistics on domestic murders, suspicion naturally fell upon the boyfriend, at least in the public eye and among the air crew who were on the PM's flight to China, but a search of his home quashed that, sources told The Globe, and he was quickly cleared by police.

It is the dichotomy between the commander's accomplished life and the allegations against him now which has left those who knew or worked for him reeling. He is described by subordinates as both friendly and thoroughly professional.  Although the job of commander kept Col. Williams so busy he was often the last to leave the office, he also continued to fly the CC150 Airbuses that are flown by 437 Squadron, Corp. Comeau's squadron, to keep his pilot status current.

 
leroi said:
The Globe has also learned that .....more ominously, he was also an avid amateur photographer.
I'm not sure which point is more worthy of a facepalm, the Globe's brilliant sleuthing (his photography interest is in his official bio), or that clearly one shouldn't trust those amateur photographers.

Yes, I caught the point about the victims being posed for photographs. I just think the "ominous" is a bit over the top.

As for Staples' comment, I think even he realized he had nothing of value to say; he just felt a need to mumble anything potentially anti-military.



Although I do have concerns about stamp-collectors.....and those alleged bird-watchers  :orly:
 
Little late but......

Media Advisory
Media Availability with Chief of the Defence Staff

MA – 10.005 - February 10, 2010

8 Wing/CFB Trenton – There will be a media availability today with General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff.

WHEN:  4:30 p.m., February 10, 2010
WHERE:  Passenger Terminal off Highway 2, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton

-30-

For more information:

Capt Annie Morin, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton Public Affairs Officer
Tel: (613) 392-2811, ext. 4565, Cell: (613) 243-7330
E-mail:  annie.morin@forces.gc.ca
 
Reproduced in accordance with the Fair Dealing provision (29) of the Copyright Act.



Chief of defence staff to comment on charges against Col. Russell Williams

(CP) – 2 hours ago

CFB TRENTON, Ont. — Chief of Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk will speak to the media at CFB Trenton, Ont., this afternoon about the first-degree murder and sexual assault charges against Col. Russell Williams.

Williams - the commander of CFB Trenton - is charged in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd of Belleville, whose body was found Monday near Tweed, and the Nov. 25 death of Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, whose body was found in her Brighton home.

Williams is also charged in two sexual assaults in Tweed in September and will appear in court via video on Feb. 18.

Lloyd's funeral will be held on Saturday afternoon in Belleville.

Belleville lawyer John Wonnacott, who represented Williams at his court appearance Monday, said he has not been retained to represent Williams.

But he did say Williams is in civilian, not military custody.

Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
 
Reproduced in accordance with the Fair Dealing provision (29) of the Copyright Act.

Accused colonel's past in Manitoba to be probed

Unsolved disappearance of woman in 1992 could be examined

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | 2:22 PM CT

CBC News - Col. Russell Williams, centre, speaks to Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk, left, and Defence Minister Peter MacKay during a visit to CFB Trenton on Jan. 17.Col. Russell Williams, centre, speaks to Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk, left, and Defence Minister Peter MacKay during a visit to CFB Trenton on Jan. 17. (Combat Camera)

The investigation into a military commander charged with murder in the deaths of two women will extend to places he has lived in the past, including Portage La Prairie, Man.

Col. Russell Williams, 46, of Tweed, Ont., the top commander at 8 Wing CFB Trenton, was arrested Sunday in Ottawa.

He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38.
Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38, left, was slain Nov. 25, 2009. The body of Jessica Lloyd, 27, right, was found by police Monday morning.Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 38, left, was slain Nov. 25, 2009. The body of Jessica Lloyd, 27, right, was found by police Monday morning. (Canadian Press)

Williams was stationed in Portage La Prairie, about 70 kilometres west of Winnipeg, between 1990 and 1992.

Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kristine Rae said the investigation would eventually review unsolved crimes in locations where Williams has lived. But right now it is focused on the current charges before the courts, she said.

"A time period before we start reviewing other unsolved crimes? I can't give you that," she said. "I just know it's going to take quite a bit of time for that to be done.

"But as the investigation progresses we're going to be reviewing other areas of where he has been located to see if there's any unsolved crime, and compare those to see if there's any similarities to what we have here."
Woman missing in Manitoba

The Ontario police have received inquiries from law enforcement agencies in some of the locations Williams has been stationed in during his career, but she would not say if any of those came from Manitoba.

However, there is at least one outstanding case from Winnipeg during that time. Janice Louise Howe, 35, was last seen leaving her parents' Fort Garry home in August 1992.

Her car was found the following morning near Kenora, Ont., but she has never been found.

Retired RCMP superintendent and criminal profiler Glenn Woods said that in cases of serial sex-offenders, police use the violent crime linkage system to look for unsolved crimes with similarities to the offender's other crimes.

"If you have an offender … who you feel has done something like this in [their] mid-40s, they didn't just wake up this year and decide that they're going to do that," he said.

"These are thoughts and fantasies they've had for years and years."

Woods said police also look for similarities in how the crime is carried out, for example, the things the offender does to try to keep from getting caught.

"So if you have someone who is a sexual sadist, you will see elements of sexual sadism in almost all their crimes, depending on how much they are allowed to get away with," he said.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2010/02/10/mb-williams-investigation-portage-manitoba.html#ixzz0fAkI1iTI


Link to Official Winnipeg Police Services Janice Louise Howe information



 
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