CNN TV
SCHEDULE ANCHORS & REPORTERS CONTACT US HLN


October 21, 2010

Live trial on In Session Next Week! Florida v Leonard Gonzalez Jr.

Posted: 05:04 PM ET

Pensacola, FL – In August 2009, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said at a press conference: “we are very anxious to share this story with Escambia County and the nation…it’s going to be a humdinger.” That time has now come with the capital murder trial of Leonard Gonzalez Jr., one of seven defendants charged with murdering Melanie and Byrd Billings.

On July 9, 2009, dressed as ninjas and wearing black masks, Gonzalez and seven others crept into the Billings' home.  Once inside, prosecutors allege it was Gonzalez Jr. who shot and killed the couple while one of their special needs children looked on.  According to witness statements, it's alleged the gang of "ninjas" entered the home with hopes of stealing the family's home safe which they believed contained upwards of 13 million dollars.

The safe at the center of the ordeal was found with nothing more than prescriptions for the children, assorted business paper work and sentimental family jewelry. From beginning to end the entire attack lasted four minutes. Ironically the Billings' home was equipped with a sophisticated video surveillance system which failed to save their lives. 

According to CNN, the couple cared for thirteen special needs kids, nine of whom were home at the time.

Described by prosecutors as the triggerman and mastermind of the double murder of Melanie and Byrd Billings, Leonard Gonzalez Jr. now faces the death penalty in Pensacola, Florida.

- In Session Correspondent Jean Casarez

Filed under: Case Updates


Share this on:
Plain Clothes Hero   October 22nd, 2010 10:05 am ET

God Bless these two individuals. They had such big hearts and they were so viciously taken from this world. Terrible. I hope this animal is found guilty and given the death penalty. He deserves nothing less.


Theresa Fogelman   October 22nd, 2010 11:15 am ET

Those pole were cruel they deserve the same mercy they had for the billings


HDG   October 22nd, 2010 2:43 pm ET

So instead of making their own money, they try to come and steal someone else's. That's just great! Death penalty all the way.


Dee   October 25th, 2010 11:09 am ET

These people don't deserve to live. To murder a couple who have done nothing but good for a bunch of special needs kids that no one else was taking care of is the lowest of the low. If they wanted money that much, why didn't they get a job – oh wait, that would be doing something legal and they don't know he meaning of the word.


Gort01   October 25th, 2010 12:58 pm ET

wow, did they really think a home safe could hold 13 million dollars cash....omg...


Gort01   October 25th, 2010 1:10 pm ET

The "victim" was thrown from the vehicle? No set belts....I think she is partially responsible for her own death...how long wil it be before people start to WEAR THEIR SEAT BELTS...its aggravating as heck...we have know about the life saving effects of wearing seatbelts and yet today in 2010...people still dont.


true pensacolian   October 26th, 2010 6:25 am ET

so glad to see that this trial has come due. i was horrified when it happened and still feel uneasy about the whole situation. god bless their family and all the little ones. daughter, stay strong. you will get through this and your parents are proud of you. to the murders, take your punishment, yall have to be the worst of the worst when it comes to being a criminal. all of you are low life's and cowards. how dare yall to think you could get away with this crime and live off the money you thought you would get!! none of you are men (or women), all of you are low down criminal misfits! shame on all of you!!! i support the death penalty and each of yall deserve it in my opinioun.


Chris   October 27th, 2010 1:09 pm ET

It is discouraging to me to have listen to defense lawyers try to change the facts and alter the truth to defend their clients. Seems to me defense lawyers should be held in contempt for some of their amazing comments


wondering woman   October 28th, 2010 9:17 am ET

Shame on the people that Gonzalez tried to recruit that did not accept his offer, and then didn't go to the police so that it could of been stopped. To some extent they ended up getting recruited with their silence.


Lois Rogers   October 28th, 2010 3:09 pm ET

I think Mr Gonzalez think this is a joke what they did all should be in jail for the rest of there lives


Leave Your Comment


 

Comments are moderated by CNN, in accordance with the CNN Comment Policy, and may not appear on this blog until they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting. Also, due to the volume of comments we receive, not all comments will be posted.


subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

 This is your online home for In Session on truTV’s up-to-the minute, comprehensive coverage of legal issues, trials and news from America’s courtrooms.  Our anchors, analysts and producers are teaming up here to give you updates on the stories that matter to you.

Be sure to tune in to In Session on truTV from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET.

On Twitter
Millionaire gets 16 years for DUI death… at home http://t.co/gwG63gdh John Goodman to be released from jail on $7M bond
Twitter icon HLNTV 6:30 am ET May 16, 2012 RETWEET
.
RT @drdrewhln: Jose Baez: I was Casey’s harshest critic - Take a look at this - http://t.co/9rVf6vbR #CaseyAnthony
Twitter icon HLNTV 6:05 am ET May 16, 2012 RETWEET
.
Deliberations in the #TammiSmith case has ended for the evening. They deliberated for 1-hour, 14 minutes, 53 seconds. They are set to...
Twitter icon InSession 7:33 pm ET May 15, 2012 RETWEET
.
@conniegail421 There are enough. Originally there were 9, but only 8 jurors can deliberate.
Twitter icon InSession 7:16 pm ET May 15, 2012 RETWEET
.
#TammiSmith: RT @bethkaras: The jury started to deliberate at 3:15 pm local time (6:15 pm ET). One of the four men was selected as the......
Twitter icon InSession 7:14 pm ET May 15, 2012 RETWEET
.
Contact us
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP