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Title: New Charges in Y2K Plot
Source:
Ottawa Sun, January 5th, 2000
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Ottawa (Canada)
Sun
Wednesday, January 5, 2000
NEW CHARGES IN Y2K PLOT
Police suspicions heighten over alleged cop-killing conspiracy
By ANDREW PHILIPS, Ottawa Sun
BROCKVILLE -- Two men charged with conspiring to murder
a Brockville policeman during millennium celebrations now
face an additional charge of threatening to hurt another
man.
Lance Williams, 21, of Mallorytown, and Dillon Langlands,
18, of Brockville, each appeared in court briefly yesterday
on the conspiracy to commit murder charges.
They were arraigned on the threat charge in connection with
allegedly telling Peter Heathfield they would seriously
harm fellow Brockville resident John Gresswell.
A source said that Gresswell is Heathfield's older brother.
Gresswell yesterday declined to comment on the case or his
relationship with Heathfield.
"I've been advised not to make any comment at this
time," Gresswell said.
Williams and Langlands will return to court Friday for a
bail hearing while a Brockville youth, who is also charged
with conspiring to kill a cop, has a bail hearing scheduled
for Jan. 12. The 15-year-old, who can't be named under the
Young Offenders Act, has also been charged with marijuana
possession.
The alleged conspiracy came to light Thursday after a tipster
told police that two men were plotting to murder an officer
working at a mobile command centre near the New Year's Eve
celebrations on the waterfront and steal his cruiser.
Williams' attorney Michael O'Shaughnessy said he is still
waiting for disclosure from the Crown attorney's office.
"I'm confident after the bail hearing my client will
be released," O'Shaughnessy said.
O'Shaughnessy added his client is saddened by the charges.
"He's lucky he has a very supportive family,"
he said.
That support was evident yesterday as close to 50 friends
and relatives crammed into the small courtroom.
"I have no doubt this case will go to trial,"
O'Shaughnessy said.
"These are very, very serious allegations. The trial
will tell the tale."
Robert Barr, the lawyer representing Langlands, described
his client's experience as "difficult and harrowing."
The 18-year-old is a student at a local community college
working to upgrade his high school education, he said.
"Right now I'm focusing on getting him home,"
Barr said of his client, whose grandfather is a retired
United Church minister.
"Then time will be on our side and we'll be able to
look with a critical eye to the evidence."
Both lawyers refused to comment on suggestions the incident
may have been a prank, or that their clients may have been
involved in a role-playing game called Rifts.
"I don't have a sense and I won't comment until I have
an informed opinion," said Barr.
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