Latest Headlines
- Semi, Pickup Crash Closes Highway 29 For Hours In Cantonment
- Now That Matt Gaetz Has Resigned After Being Picked For Trump’s AG, Who Will Seek His Seat?
- Thursday Afternoon Update: CSX Railroad Crossing Closures
- Update: Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz Resigns From Congress After AG Nomination
- New ‘Wind Phone’ In Cantonment ‘Connects’ Grieving Families With Deceased Loved Ones
- Jay Couple Wins State Agriculture Competition, $45,000 Prize
- Century Paying $500 COVID-19 Stipend To Some Employees
- Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Creating Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza
- New Details Emerge In Fatal DUI Crash That Killed 14-Year-Old Cantonment Boy; Driver Released On Bond
- Cantonment Rotary Donates To Hurricane Relief
State Seeks To Reimpose Patrick Gonzalez Death For Deaths Of Byrd And Melanie Billings
January 31, 2020
Friday, the State Attorney’s Office filed a motion to reinstate the death penalty for Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. for the 2009 deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
Gonzalez was sentenced to death back in 2011, but the Supreme Court later struck down Florida’s death penalty process in 2016. That ruling found that a jury must be unanimous in finding that aggravated factors existed and be unanimous in their decision for impose the death penalty.
The Gonzalez jury was unanimous in finding that there were aggravating factors in the Beulah couple’s death, but they split 10-2 on the vote for the death penalty. He petitioned the court and was granted a resentencing hearing late this year where jurors will revote on the death penalty.
But with a new Supreme Court ruling that allows the judge reinstate the death penalty, Eddins believes a judge could sentence Gonzalez to death without a jury.
“The new decision…makes it clear that the constitutional requirements were fulfilled in the Gonzalez case,” the motion filed Friday states. “A jury made the instant, unanimous findings of the existence of aggravated circumstances.” The court, “carefully considering the evidence, made a constitutionally proper section decision in imposing a death sentence.”
Gonzalez and four other men entered the home to steal a safe that they thought contained $13 million, according to court records. Byrd and Melanie Billings died after each being shot multiple times. The couple was known for adopting special needs children.
Comments
13 Responses to “State Seeks To Reimpose Patrick Gonzalez Death For Deaths Of Byrd And Melanie Billings”
Infidel numero uno, How do you know this? Are you speaking from experience?
Death should be by firing squad.
I’ve always been in favor of the death penalty but now it seems too easy and the legal procedure is too long. If they do get the death penalty, they should get one appeal. If it fails, take them right to the gallows!
His mom was my taekwondo instructor. Sad to see that his life came to this point.
GROAN, another delay because of inept politicians at our state level.
Sure seems that at least one of the many lawyers who are lawmakers would have seen the “Unanimous” jury vote wasn’t constitutional before putting that into law.
Yes, time to put this guy Off of the Taxpayer’s Payroll and terminate him.
Was the first of subsequent “Witchcraft” accusations from our sheriff.
Also “Mexican Mafia” and “Ninjas”.
“HUMDINGER” of a mess from beginning to hopefully a Swift and Certain Ending.
Revoke is breathing privileges!
The love of money is the root of all evil.
But I say lock him up with no parole. 60 or 70 years in prison is much worse than the death penalty.
THEY NEED TO SPEED UP THE DEATH ROW PROCESS!!!!!!!!!!!
THEY SIT ON DEATH ROW FOR YEARS AND CENTURIES. SHOULD BE 90 TO 180 DAYS THEN PUT THEM IN SPARKY OR INJECTION.
He sits languishing in prison now, if reinstated, he will languish on death row for how many years??? Either way it seems there is no justice for the killing of Byrd and Melanie.
They should give him the death penalty! Money is the route to all evil.
Eliminate his need of good oxygen
Kill him
Ridiculous. The State Attorney’s office must be bored and is looking to handle appeal after appeal (as is the procedure with all death penalty cases) .
It makes no difference if he dies a natural death as a regular convict or sitting on death row. (except for lawyers cashing in big time) .