Nicole Williams doesn't agree with facts related to murder, despite previous guilty pleas

The woman accused of setting up the attempted burglary that led to the murder of Glenn Walewicz three years ago doesn’t agree with the facts in her case despite previously pleading guilty.

The court proceedings involving the now-40-year-old Nicole Williams have already seen lengthy delays and her decision has pushed progress of the matter back again.

In August 2023, Williams pleaded guilty to charges of accessory to murder and being knowingly concerned in an attempt to commit an aggravated burglary.

Then in February 2024, documents were tendered to the ACT Supreme Court detailing the role she was said to have played in the shooting death of 48-year-old Mr Walewicz on 10 June 2021.

Her sentencing hearing was delayed at least twice this year, while she also unsuccessfully tried to be released on bail again before the hearing was scheduled for Wednesday (13 November).

However, that morning, defence barrister Skye Jerome told the Supreme Court that her client “does not agree to the schedule of facts”.

She said her client remembered signing a piece of paper with her previous lawyers but did not remember what it was.

Ms Jerome said it was now Williams’ “firm instructions” that she did not accept the basis of the facts that substantiated her charges.

She said as her client did not accept any of the facts, the sentencing hearing could not proceed, and she wanted to adjourn the matter.

Prosecutor Trent Hickey said it regrettably seemed to be the appropriate course of action.

Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson said as a matter of law, she would have to adjourn the matter.

She told the family and supporters of Mr Walewicz, who were present in the courtroom’s gallery, that the court “recognises the pain of the family”.

However, she said she had to apply the proper legal principles and “justice must be done in relation to everyone”.

“It is very, very unfortunate that the matter could not proceed today, but there is no legal alternative considering what has occurred,” Justice Loukas-Karlsson told the family.

The matter was adjourned for directions on 30 November. Williams remains in custody.

In early June 2021, Williams allegedly asked then-23-year-old Gary Taylor to liaise with her son, Jayden Douglas Williams, and a 17-year-old boy about conducting a home invasion for her.

On the evening of 10 June, the 17-year-old, a 12-year-old boy, Taylor and getaway driver Reatile Ncube met up at Williams’ home, where she told them to do a “run through” of two people’s home because they owed her money.

Williams also allegedly gave a .22 pump-action rifle to the 17-year-old and told both him and Taylor that she thought that one of the intended targets had a gun and might shoot at them.

Around 11:30 pm that evening, Ncube waited in the car while Taylor and the two teenagers walked up Mansfield Place in Phillip to carry out the home invasion, but the trio went to the wrong home and ended up knocking on the door of Mr Walewicz.

He called, “Who is it?” from inside his home before one of the intruders said, “Open up”. The 17-year-old fired a gun when he opened the door, hitting him in the neck.

He died shortly afterwards.

Six people were arrested over Mr Walewicz’s death.

Taylor was handed over 10 years in jail while the then-17-year-old shooter, who cannot be named due to his age, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

Jayden Williams was sentenced to two years in jail over his role, and Ncube was also sentenced to two years. The charge against the 12-year-old boy was dropped.