Teen To Be Tried As Adult In Billings Murders

August 5, 2009

Rakeem Chavez Florence, 16, will now be tried as an adult in connection with the deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

florencerakeem.jpgFlorence appeared for the first time in adult court on Tuesday; he had been held in the Juvenile Detention Center since his arrest in Okaloosa County on July 14.

Escambia Circuit Court Judge Parnham ruled that Florence would be charged as an adult.  It was the last initial appearance for the seven suspects in the July 9 Beulah murders.

He has since been transferred to the adult population at the Escambia County Jail where he is being held without bond. His next court appearance is an arraignment hearing on August 28 in front of Circuit Judge Paul Rasmussen.

Florence reportedly knew three of the other murder suspects –  Donnie Ray Stallworth, 28, Lamont Sumner, 30, and Frederick Lee Thornton Jr., 19 through Sumner’s Fifth Dimension auto detailing business in Fort Walton Beach.

Comments

2 Responses to “Teen To Be Tried As Adult In Billings Murders”

  1. A. Davis on August 6th, 2009 9:46 pm

    I wonder if this or any of the persons could have been identified through their ninja outfits? Are did they just tell on theirselves? And has Gonzalez jr said anything about being there? I dont know none of these people even look like they would be together. Who ever had the bright idea to bring this kid is a sick person. Did this child know what was going to happen. This is a waste of life now he is 16 and lost his life also. If he stays in for 20 – 30 years what will he do when he gets out? I guess I only feel for him because I remember how DUMB I was when I was 16 and that is scary. These other sick people took 3 lives away and need what they get.

  2. century resident on August 5th, 2009 7:58 am

    Welcome to the real world! Talk about growing up fast! Moms and dads — be careful who your child’s friends are.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News