Russ Johnson

Col. Russell Williams — Brilliant police interrogation and confession

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• published: 13 Feb 2014
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Clearing out some of my crime files, I came across this video of the interrogation of Canadian Forces Air Force Colonel Russell Williams by Detective Sergeant Jim Smyth of the Ontario Provincial Police's Behavioural Sciences Unit. Here is a masterful deconstruction: A confident and cocky military man strode into the interview room and a broken and degenerate killer and sexual sadist shuffled out, after being prompted to confess his shocking crimes, as I wrote about it when I covered the case in 2010. Before agreeing to sit down with Det.-Sgt. Jim Smyth, Williams might have done well to have remembered the motto of 8 Wing, the Trenton, Ont., air force unit he commanded: in omnia paratus. "Prepare for all things." For on this afternoon, it was police, not the calculating, obsessive deviant who held all the cards. But at the start, at 3:03 p.m., Williams clearly feels he has little to worry about the bookish officer who is dressed in a jacket and tie, shuffling electronic recording equipment about a small white desk. As an air force commander who served on missions based in Camp Mirage, Canada's sensitive air base in the Middle East, he had previously undergone training on how to cope with interrogation if captured by an enemy combatant. Crown Attorney Lee Burgess paused the tape to note "how calm and cool" he looks, "even after all these heinous crimes," and even after preparing to destroy evidence of his attacks that very day. Williams, 47, likely felt he had the upper hand as he strode into the room, talking about how thorough police are being in their investigation into Jessica Lloyd's disappearance, saying he is "glad to see it." "Ever been interviewed by the police in a room like this before?" asks Det.-Sgt. Smyth casually as Williams takes off his yellow coat and drapes it over the back of a chair and sits down. "I have never been interviewed like this," he says, smiling and looking around the room. He spots the video camera lens above him and he stares into it and flashes a broad grin. It is as if he thinks he is adding to his secret video collection. "I guess the closest," he says, is when "I was interviewed by NIS for top secret clearance." It is a clever response, referring to the Commanding Officer National Investigation Service, a military police agency that works to ensure the appropriateness of personnel entering military command. It reminds the policeman of his rank and position. But over 18 hours, Williams disintegrates, trapped by the evidence, his own lies and the carefully laid questions. Williams was subsequently convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of forcible confinement, two counts of sexual assault and 82 counts of breaking and entering. He is currently serving a life sentence. This is the full and complete interview video that was entered into the official court record, edited by the court only. But be aware, this interview contains distressing conversations. For more information, visit http://www.adrianhumphreys.com. To read my exposés in the National Post, visit: http://news.nationalpost.com/author/ahumphreys/ As always, please like, share, comment and subscribe. Thanks for watching! - The Mob Reporter