Judge rules Russell Williams divorce proceedings to stay under wraps
Posted April 14, 2011 6:35 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An Ottawa court has ruled that divorce proceedings involving convicted sex killer Russell Williams and his wife will remain under a publication ban.
The former colonel’s wife, who can now no longer be named, had argued for a seal, or at least a publication ban, on her financial and medical records.
That covers a domestic deal the couple signed shortly after Williams was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two eastern Ontario women.
Justice Jennifer MacKinnon has ruled that the domestic contract will remain under a publication ban until it is tendered as an exhibit in the case.
She also sealed sensitive portions of Williams’ wife’s personal medical information which had been put before court.
Williams was a rising star in the military and commander at Canadian Forces Base Trenton before being sentenced to life in prison for the murders, a pair of sexual assaults and dozens of fetish break-ins.
Lawyers for several media outlets have been arguing against the ban.
Media lawyer Richard Dearden told The Canadian Press the outlets “are pleased that the Judge has denied the request for a sweeping sealing order but are analysing whether the various non-publication orders minimally impair freedom of the press.”
