Russell Williams - an awful story

This man has committed atrocious acts. I cannot believe this. It is simply fodder for a Law and Order episode. To go from stealing panties, to sexual assault, to murder is a scary thought. As he escalated, the violence was added to his modus operandi.

WE PASSED THE SCENE: Tweed's #37, search for evidence Oct. 1st

What can we learn from it?

What I find interesting are the victims in the court room. Bravely facing this man. Good for them. To face their attacker and face their fears is important. It will haunt them if they do not. They have to take their power back from this man who assaulted them, psychological and physical assaults that can send them into developing issues.

For the parents of the victims, I feel the greatest grief. I hope they can climb out of it.
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The trial was covered in real time...it spoke of photos of him masturbating while wearing women's under wear. The underwear he stole.
CoveritLive.com wrote:

The brother and mother of Jessica Lloyd sat, staring at him, showing virtually no emotion, as Lloyd's mother held on to a large framed photo of her late daughter.
Count 79 is the second sexual assault. Laurie Massicotte was the victim. She was attacked September 30, 2009. A publication ban protecting her name was revoked after she spoke to Maclean's.

Russell Williams in the news

A 21-year-old woman, whose name was was originally protected by a publication ban, awoke. She was immediately tied up, blindfolded, sexually assaulted, and warned that if she didn't co-operate, she and her baby would die. The intruder took repeated photos of the woman's naked body before fleeing the scene.
Astonishingly, authorities now claim that Williams returned to that same house two more times in the days after the assault, searching for keepsakes.

One victim, who has kept her right to privacy, has launched a public suit ($2.4 million for the "harsh, vindictive, malicious, horrific and reprehensible" assault. Good for her. I hope she gets satisfaction.

Six weeks after the arrest William's wife, Mary Elizabeth Harriman (Heart and Stroke Foundation associate director),  took over his share of the family home. Rumours are that it was a deal to shield his assets. According to Ontario Family Law she'd have the right to half the home. It sounds suspicious to me. The home was bought for $693, 819! Some needs to pay for the therapy this victim will need. I know how difficult it was when my parents died of natural causes. This trauma can haunt for ever.

The charges:

• two counts each of sexual assault and unlawful confinement
• 61 of breaking and entering
• 11 of attempted breaking and entering 
• 10 of breaking and entering with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He pled guilty to all of them. In fact confessed, they say, once arrested. No wonder he tried to commit suicide in jail. While teachers teach Internet Safety, it is time to teach safety in face to face situations, in rural areas. The OPP apologized to Miss Massicote. With unreported thefts in the beginning of this saga, and break-ins, they didn't realize the extent of the problem. We have to report.

The Fifth Estate has a photo timeline on the Williams case: I'd rather focus on the timelines of the young lives we have lost. 

The body of Jessica Lloyd (left) was located off Carry Road, The Globe and Mail reports, in the Municipality of Tweed.    Corporal Marie France Comeau, the other victim.

What have we learned? Just like all situations... 

Shout No. Go. Tell.

This is what we taught students in the early days of my teaching career.  

A wolf in seemingly respectable clothing. Many children are sexually assaulted by people they know. William's neighbour was one victim, as well.

Some has to speak truth to power. This man victimized some one under his command. Atrocious. Did no one know? I am dubious.

For more information: read these links.

5th Estate: Map of break-ins

• Col. Williams biography
• Fifth Estate: Col. Williams timeline
• Timeline: Key moments in the case
• Map: Orleans break-ins
• Map: Tweed break-ins
• Defence Department Williams biography (now removed from DND website)