Col. Russell Williams, Canadian Air Force Commander, Gets Life for Fetish-Fueled Murders

BELLEVILLE, Ontario (CBS/AP) Col. Russell Williams, an elite commander of Canada's largest air force base, tearfully apologized for his fetish-fueled crimes, moments before being sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years for murdering two women.

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.

On Thursday, Ontario judge Robert F. Scott sentenced Williams after the disgraced commander 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."

Justice Robert 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."

Williams pleaded guilty Monday to murdering Jessica Lloyd, 27, whose body was found in February, and Marie Comeau, a 37-year-old corporal under his command who was found dead in her home last November. Both women were asphyxiated.

Prosecutors spent much of the week revealing graphic evidence of the former elite military pilot's secret life at a sentencing hearing that often reduced the victims' family members to tears.

Lieutenant-General Andre Deschamps, Chief of Air Staff for the Canadian military, said the military has been "deeply shaken" by Williams.

"We don't understand why," Deschamps said. "This individual was a man of tremendous capacities...I still can't reconcile the two people we've seen."

Deschamps said they can now fire Williams and remove his medals.

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