BELLEVILLE, Ont. — The former commander of Canada’s largest military airfield was committed Thursday to stand trial on murder, sex assault, and break and enter charges.
Col. Russell Williams was a rising star in the military before being charged in February with first-degree murder in the deaths of Jessica Lloyd, 27, and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, 37.
On Thursday the former commander of CFB Trenton waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which is held to determine whether there’s enough evidence to move forward to trial.
His next appearance is set for Oct. 7 in Ontario Superior Court.
Lloyd’s brother, Andy Lloyd, 30, said after months of brief video appearances that are just adjourned, he’s glad there is some movement in the case.
“It feels kind of good, actually, to know the process is actually starting now,” he said outside court.
Lloyd said he has faith in the police and the Crown.
“I have a good feeling that something good is going to come out of it,” he said.
Williams appeared Thursday via video from the detention centre where he’s being held. He squinted at the camera and all he said was, “I can, thank you,” when the judge asked if Williams could hear him.
In addition to the murder charges, Williams faces various charges in sex assaults against other women, and 82 other charges related to break and enter, some of which reportedly involved lingerie.
The Crown made some minor amendments to six charges.
Comeau was found dead in her home in Brighton, Ont., last November.
She was a flight attendant at CFB Trenton and served aboard the same military VIP flights Williams piloted for much of the 1990s, ferrying the Governor General, the prime minister and other dignitaries on domestic and overseas trips.
Court documents show Williams is alleged to have burglarized Comeau’s home some 10 days before she was found dead on Nov. 25. The information does not specify what was allegedly stolen.
It’s alleged Williams burglarized the Tweed home of the first alleged sexual assault victim twice after the Sept. 17 assault. The court documents also show police believe he robbed the home of his second alleged assault victim twice before the Sept. 30 attack in the woman’s home.
Some break-and-enter charges centred around the Ottawa neighbourhood where Williams once lived. A man whose house was among those burglarized said he and his wife came home one day to find family pictures on their bed and underwear drawers of his wife and daughters open.
In addition, Williams and his wife, Mary-Elizabeth Harriman, are facing a $2.45-million lawsuit filed by one of Williams’ alleged sex assault victims, identified only as Jane Doe. The 21-year-old woman claims the “horrific and reprehensible” alleged sexual attack has left her fearful and suicidal.
Harriman, who has not spoken publicly since the charges were laid against her husband, says in an affidavit filed with her statement of defence that she is devastated.
Those allegations have not been proven in court and Williams has not yet filed a statement of defence.