Murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings explained

Murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings
Location:Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Date:July 9, 2009
Fatalities:2
Assailant:-->
Susperp:-->
Weapons:Gun
Numparts:8
Dfen:-->
Motive:home invasion
Accused:see Perpetrators
Charges:first-degree murder and home invasion robbery

The murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings occurred on or around 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]

Victims

Byrd Starling Billings divorced his second wife Cynthia Reeve Billings in January 1993.[4] Four months later, he married his third wife, Melanie Anne Billings (née Brock)[4] [5] who already had two biological children from previous relationships, Ashley Markham[6] and Nicole "Nikki" Billings (died in 2008).[7] [8] [9] Melanie was 17 years old when she gave birth to Ashley and 19 years old when she gave birth to Nikki.[6]

Byrd Billings reportedly had two biological children also (not with Melanie Billings).[10]

They had a total of 16 children, including each other's stepchildren and adoptive children.[11] [12] One source said 13 of the children were adopted.[13] Before the couple's murder, three of their adopted children, many of whom had special needs, had died.

At the time of their death, Melanie Billings owned a used car lot and Byrd Billings had a company named Worldco Financial Services.[5] [14] Byrd Billings was also a used car dealer and former strip club owner.[5] [15]

Trials and sentencing

Seven men were charged with first-degree murder and home invasion robbery, and an eighth suspect was charged with being an accessory after the fact.[16]

In October 2010, Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. was on trial for first-degree murder facing a possible death sentence in Escambia County Circuit Court in Pensacola.[17] 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.[17] Gonzalez was identified in one video by Frederick Thornton, one of his accomplices, as the person who shot Byrd Billings.[17]

On February 17, 2011, it was announced that Gonzalez was to be sentenced to death for the first-degree murders. On April 10, 2014, Gonzalez's conviction and sentence of death were affirmed on direct appeal by the Florida Supreme Court.[18]

Perpetrators

A total of eight people were convicted for planning and participating in the crimes. The five criminals who entered the Billings' home, the two criminals who drove the getaway vehicles, and the criminal who helped dispose of the stolen property, were all found/pled guilty and received the following sentences:[18] [19]

Notes

  1. News: Wealthy Fla. Couple Not Killed by Contract Hit, Say Police. August 29, 2009. CBS News. Edecio. Martinez. July 22, 2009.
  2. Web site: More arrests in murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings; assailants in 'ninja garb' captured on video. Kates. Brian. Schapiro. Rich. New York Daily News. July 14, 2009. January 28, 2010.
  3. News: Florida slayings investigation is 'like master's-level chess' – CNN.com . CNN . May 19, 2010 . July 18, 2009.
  4. Web site: Byrd Billings Adoption Fraud Case. August 29, 2009. NorthEscambia.com.
  5. Web site: As slain couple is buried, fuller portrait emerges. . usatoday.com. 2009. 15 April 2016.
  6. Web site: No Safe Place. https://web.archive.org/web/20130130060822/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32364584/ns/dateline_nbc-crime_reports/t/no-safe-place/#.VxFPtbxllZo. dead. January 30, 2013. Dateline NBC, nbcnews.com. 10 August 2009. 15 April 2016.
  7. Web site: Killings of Florida couple seen as clash of good and evil. NOLA.com. 15 April 2016.
  8. Web site: Billings' murders don't destroy family. 5 July 2014. Pensacola News Journal. 15 April 2016.
  9. Web site: Nicole Billings Obituary – Pensacola, FL – the Pensacola News Journal. the Pensacola News Journal. 15 April 2016.
  10. Web site: Documents: Florida slaying victims knew suspect. CNN. 15 April 2016.
  11. Web site: Police Probe Business Ties of Murdered Florida Couple With 16 Kids. Fox News. 25 March 2015 . 15 April 2016.
  12. News: Arrests in Florida double murder. 2009-07-14. BBC News. July 14, 2009.
  13. Web site: Blogger Stirs a City by Suggesting That a Florida Couple's Murder Was a Contract Killing. 17 August 2009. The New York Times. 15 April 2016.
  14. Web site: Byrd Billings Adoption Fraud Case. northescambia.com. 15 April 2016.
  15. News: Billings Murders: Man with "Mexican Mafia" Ties Questioned. August 29, 2009. CBS News. August 10, 2009.
  16. News: Surveillance video shows Florida couple, gunmen . August 29, 2009. CNN. August 28, 2009. Ed Lavandera.
  17. News: Video shows team of 'ninjas' breaking into house, shooting man . October 26, 2010 . . October 26, 2010.
  18. Web site: No. SC11-475 . . 2014-04-10 . 2024-02-03.
  19. News: Billings Home Invasion Update: Hung jury in murder of wealthy Fla. couple . Carlin Miller . . 2011-03-04 . 2015-01-02.
  20. Web site: Gonzalez Sr. Dies In Prison. Dave Dunwoody. 16 June 2015 . WUWF. 15 April 2016.
  21. Web site: Second Billings accomplice dies in prison. 24 July 2015. Pensacola News Journal. 15 April 2016.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.