Col. Russell Williams appeared in a Belleville, Ont. courtroom Thursday morning, where a judge decided to allow journalists to use their electronic devices to live report from inside the courtroom.
The former base commander faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of sexual assault and forcible confinement and charges related to 82 break-ins.
Williams' next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 18, where his lawyer has said he plans to plead guilty to murder charges relating to the deaths of 38-year-old Cpl. Marie-France Comeau and 27-year-old Jessica Lloyd, as well as the sex assault and break-in charges.
Judge Robert Scott said accredited journalists will be able to bring phones, BlackBerries and laptops into court for reporting purposes at the hearing.
Under the new ruling, the general public will not be allowed to use electronic devices at the court hearings, which will include an agreed statement of facts, and victim impact statements.
Lawyers representing media agencies were in court Thursday to argue against a previous ban on all electronic devices.
During one of Williams' recent court appearances reporters were asked to turn off their cellphones by court security. Some were told they could be barred from the courtroom if they failed to comply, and others were told laptops would not be permitted.
There are also questions around what journalists will be allowed to report, and what will be kept secret to protect the victims.
The Crown has renewed a publication ban on the name of one of the sexual assault victims, but another has waived the right to have her name withheld.
Williams, who joined the Canadian Forces in 1987, is alleged to have led a double life while running the CFB-Trenton airbase in Ontario.
Prior to that, Williams was a decorated pilot who flew Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other dignitaries on official trips.
