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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Hannah Neale

Delay as mastermind 'does not accept' part in innocent man's murder

The woman behind a failed home invasion that ended in murder "does not accept any of the facts" and pleaded guilty to the tragic crime without being taken through a vital document.

Nicole Williams, 40, previously pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder and attempted aggravated burglary.

The charges were laid following the June 2021 murder of Glenn Walewicz, who was shot dead in the doorway of his unit in a case of mistaken identity.

On Wednesday, Mr Walewicz's grieving family sat in the front row of the ACT Supreme Court public gallery as Williams' sentencing was delayed once again.

They had last been in court in February when the case was also delayed. At the time, Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson labelled the adjournment "unfortunate".

The judge echoed this on Wednesday: "It is very, very unfortunate that the matter could not proceed today, but there is no legal alternative."

Defence barrister Skye Jerome said she had spoken to Williams in the cells that morning after being brought into the case late last week.

Nicole Williams, right, masterminded the botched home invasion attempt that ended with the murder of Glenn Walewicz, left. Pictures ACT Policing, Facebook

Ms Jerome, instructed by Darryl Perkins, said Williams had not been taken through a supposedly agreed statement of facts "in any great detail" before pleading guilty.

"I now have great reservations about the basis of her plea," Ms Jerome said as she asked the court for a one-hour adjournment to go through the document with her client and take instructions.

"As I understand the situation currently there may be a need for a change in lawyers," she told the court.

After a break, Ms Jerome said she had now received "firm instructions" Williams "does not accept any of the facts which substantiate both charges".

The barrister told the court she had been instructed her client recalled signing a document with a previous counsel but "doesn't know what it is".

A still from CCTV footage of the murder of Glenn Walewicz. Picture supplied

The facts document in question, previously tendered to the court, states Williams recruited three assailants, including two children and Gary Taylor, to rob two known drug dealers.

Her adult son has been jailed for his involvement in aiding and abetting the attempted aggravated burglary.

On the night of the killing, Williams was said to have given a 17-year-old boy a .22 pump-action rifle, which he would ultimately use to shoot Mr Walewicz.

The document states she then placed a "crack pipe" in the mouth of a 12-year-old boy, telling him "don't worry" and to inhale, before sending him out with Taylor and the other juvenile.

Reatile Ncube, then aged 18, drove the trio of would-be home invaders to Phillip, where the robbers would go to the wrong address, and the 17-year-old would ultimately kill Mr Walewicz, 48, with a single shot to the neck.

Charges against the 12-year-old boy were discontinued.

The shooter has been sentenced to a total of 13 years imprisonment, while Ncube received a mostly suspended prison term for being an accessory.

Williams' case is set to go before a registrar next week.

  • Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
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