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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. The suspects, dressed in "ninja garb", 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.〔 The family's attorney said that the safe contained jewelry, family papers, and prescription medications. ==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. Prosecutors allege that Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr., recruited his father, Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Sr., and five others in the plot. The Billings had given Gonzalez Jr. money for a martial arts studio and Gonzalez reportedly had a key for their residence.〔 Victim Byrd S. Billings had divorced Cynthia Reeve Billings in January 1993. Four months later, he married Melanie Billings (née Brock).〔 The wealthy couple were known for adopting children with special needs. They had a total of 16 children, 12 of whom were adopted. Byrd Billings owned several businesses, including a used car dealership. In October 2010, Gonzalez, Jr. was on trial for first-degree murder facing a possible death sentence in Escambia County Circuit Court in Pensacola. 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.〔 Gonzalez Jr. was identified in one video by Frederick Thornton, one of his accomplices, as the person who shot Byrd Billings.〔 On February 17, 2011, it was announced that Gonzalez, Jr. 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. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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