- Murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings
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Byrd and Melanie Billings Died Pensacola, Florida Cause of death Shooting Body discovered At home Home town Beulah, Florida The murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings occurred on or about July 9, 2009, in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Byrd Billings, 66, and his wife, Melanie, 43, were found shot to death on July 9, 2009.[1] The suspects, dressed in "ninja garb",[2] stole a safe and other items during the break-in at the sprawling Billings home west of Pensacola. Nine of their children were home at the time, but were not hurt by the intruders.[1] The family's attorney said that the safe contained jewelry, family papers, and prescription medications.[3]
Seven men have been charged with first-degree murder and home invasion robbery, and an eighth suspect has been charged of being an accessory after the fact.[4] Prosecutors allege that Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. recruited his father, Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr., and five others in the plot.[5] The Billings had given Gonzalez Jr. money for a martial arts studio and Gonzalez reportedly had a key for their residence.[1]
Byrd S. Billings divorced Cynthia Reeve Billings in January 1993.[6] Four months later, he married Melanie Billings.[6] The wealthy couple were known for adopting children with special needs. They had a total of 16 children, 12 of whom were adopted.[7][nb 1] Byrd Billings owned several businesses, including a used car dealership.[8]
In October 2010, Gonzalez Jr. was on trial for first-degree murder facing a possible death sentence in Escambia County Circuit Court in Pensacola.[9] The Billings had 16 cameras located around the residence to help them observe their children, and some of the video footage was shown in court.[9] Gonzalez Jr. was identified in one video by Frederick Thornton, one of his accomplices, as the person who shot Byrd Billings.[9]
On February 17, 2011 it was announced that Gonzalez Jr. was to be sentenced to death for the first degree murders.
Notes
- ^ Other sources report the Billings had 15 children (2 biological, 13 adopted)[4] or 17 children (4 biological, 13 adopted).[5]
References
- ^ a b c Martinez, Edecio (July 22, 2009). "Wealthy Fla. Couple Not Killed by Contract Hit, Say Police". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07/22/crimesider/entry5179371.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Kates, Brian; Schapiro, Rich (July 14, 2009). "More arrests in murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings; assailants in 'ninja garb' captured on video". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/07/14/2009-07-14_fourth_arrest_in_murder_of_byrd_and_melanie_billings_assailants_in_ninja_garb_ca.html. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
- ^ "Florida slayings investigation is 'like master's-level chess' - CNN.com". CNN. July 18, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/17/florida.couple.funeral/index.html. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
- ^ a b "Surveillance video shows Florida couple, gunmen". CNN. August 29, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/28/florida.slain.couple/index.html. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ a b "Prosecutors: Mastermind Got Dad to Drive Getaway Car by Telling Him Billings' Kids Were Abused". CBS News. August 24, 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/24/crimesider/entry5262030.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ a b "Byrd Billings Adoption Fraud Case". NorthEscambia.com. http://www.northescambia.com/?p=9576. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ "Arrests in Florida double murder". BBC News. July 14, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8150524.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
- ^ "Billings Murders: Man with "Mexican Mafia" Ties Questioned". CBS News. August 10, 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/10/crimesider/entry5230162.shtml. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Video shows team of 'ninjas' breaking into house, shooting man". CNN. October 26, 2010. http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/26/florida.couple.slain.case/index.html?hpt=T1. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
Categories:- 2009 deaths
- People from Florida
- People murdered in Florida
- 2009 murders in the United States
- 2009 in Florida
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