BELLEVILLE, Ontario — The former commander of Canada’s largest air force base said Thursday that he deeply regretted his “despicable crimes,” moments before he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years for murdering two women.
Col. Russell Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two sexual assaults and 82 counts of breaking- and-entering, during which he took hundreds of undergarments from women and young girls.
Ontario judge Robert F. Scott sentenced Williams after the disgraced former elite pilot tearfully addressed the court, lamenting his crimes and the pain he has caused the victims and their family and friends.
“I stand before you indescribably ashamed,” Williams said, his voice cracking. “I know that the crimes I have committed have damaged many people.”
Scott said he believes Williams is sincere in his regrets, but nonetheless declared him a “sick and dangerous” man. “Russell Williams will forever be remembered as a sadosexual serial killer,” Scott told the court. “The depths of the depravity shown by Russell Williams have no equal.”
