Saturday, August 29, 2009

Billings 911 Call Is Released

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Chilling 911 calls have been released in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings. The court put a reproduction ban on all surveillance video and scene photographs, except for those two calls.

In crime scene photos taken from the Billings' home, it appeared to be like any other. A watermelon slice is seen on the counter, and a kid's cartoon was playing on TV.

The only thing out of place, were the fact Byrd and Melanie Billings had just been killed in cold blood.

Here's part of the 911 call placed by Ashley Markham, the Billings' daughter:

Daughter: "Hi, I need someone to go out to my parent's house. I was on the phone with my sister trying to get in touch with them, and she said they are on the bathroom floor and there is nobody there. She said they were dead and I don't know what she is talking about."

Dispatcher: "What's their names?"

Daughter: "Melanie and Byrd Billings."

To prevent reporters from taking pictures with cell phones, the state attorney's office required the media to put all devices in a brown envelope, but they allowed reporters to take notes.

In the couple's bedroom, we saw that Byrd Billings' body was found face-down with his hands under him, bound with a single zip tie. Melanie Billings' body was found face up, with her right shoulder slumped against the bedroom wall.

The most heart-grabbing message was in a painting on the couple's bedroom wall that read, "Just one lifetime won't be enough for us."

The gruesome nature of the crime is not keeping away members of the public who want to see the material.

"Because of situation with family, number of children involved in the home, has garnered great amount of interest, more so than other cases in the past," said Greg Marcille, Florida State Attorney.

Many of the children the Billings' had adopted had special needs. Several toys were laying on the home's floors. One was splattered with blood.

Seven people have been arrested and charged with the Billings' murders. Leonard Gonzalez, Jr., Leonard Gonzalez, Sr., Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, Gary Sumner, Frederick Thornton, and Rakeem Florence have all been charged with two counts each of first degree murder, and one count each of home invasion robbery.

The six men could face the death penalty if convicted. Florence, 16, could face life in prison if convicted.

Pamela Long Wiggins has been arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact, first degree. She remains in the Escambia County Jail under $500,000 bond. Her husband, Hugh Wiggins, has been a person of interest since the beginning, but hasn't been arrested.

Henry "Cab" Tice is a former business partner of Byrd Billings. Officials say he allegedly stole thousands from Billings. He's charged with theft.

Sheriff David Morgan also said Tice admitted to being connected to the Mexican Mafia.

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