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Killer's wife wants divorce papers secret

OTTAWA, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- A convicted Canadian killer's wife is fighting to keep her divorce papers secret, citing her fragile emotional state.

Mary Elizabeth Harriman's lawyers filed documents Thursday arguing all the details of her divorce should be sealed, The Ottawa Citizen reported. The newspaper and other media want access to them.

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Her husband, Col. Russell Williams, a decorated pilot and base commander, was sentenced to two life terms in October for killing Jessica Lloyd and Marie-France Comeau and for sexual assaults. Harriman filed her intention to seek a divorce in December.

Harriman's lawyers argue she will suffer "irreparable harm" if the file is not sealed. A hearing is scheduled for March 24.

In a redacted version of his affidavit, psychiatrist Wayne Quan wrote, "I believe that if pushed further by constant invasions of her privacy, there is a very strong possibility that Harriman will deteriorate and be incapable of functioning at her current level of ability."

The Citizen's lawyer, Richard Dearden, said the paper would review the new evidence before responding.

Harriman also wants her records sealed against a lawsuit by one of Williams' sex-assault victims who says the transfer of the couple's home to Harriman's name was a fraudulent attempt to evade claims.

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