BELLEVILLE, Ont. – A judge ruled Thursday that accredited journalists covering the Col. Russell Williams case will be allowed to use electronic devices to file updates from the courtroom.
Williams, the former commander of Canada’s largest military airbase, says he will plead guilty to killing two women, sexually assaulting two others and committing a long list of fetish burglaries. He will appear in court in Belleville, in eastern Ontario, on Monday to enter his plea.
Thursday’s hearing was hastily arranged last week after reporters arriving to cover Williams’ trial were told they could not use electronic devices in the courtroom. A reporter with Postmedia News requested permission from Justice Robert Scott to send live electronic updates through Twitter from the courtroom during the proceedings using a BlackBerry. Other reporters had asked to use laptop computers to take notes on the high-profile case.
The judge heard legal arguments from media lawyers Thursday.
Williams will appear next week under high security. His lawyer, Michael Edelson, told court his client will plead guilty to all counts.
Two indictments filed in court charge him with: two counts of first-degree murder; two counts of sexual assault; two counts of forcible confinement; and 86 counts of break-and-enter and theft in deviant fetish raids of women’s underwear and other items.
The case has made headlines around the world because of the double life it’s alleged Williams led as a respected and decorated military official.
Having joined the Canadian Forces in 1987, he was considered a rising star, fast-tracked for senior command.
Before taking command of the Canadian Forces Base Trenton airbase in Ontario, he was hailed as a star pilot who had flown Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, the prime minister, the former governor general and other dignitaries on official trips.
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