Author Topic: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty  (Read 4339 times)

Johnny Bravo

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PENSACOLA, Fla. —  A Florida grand jury indicted seven men Tuesday in the robbery and killings of a couple known for adopting special needs children, and a lawyer for the family acknowledged that a safe in the couple's home contained $164,000.

Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot to death July 9. Surveillance cameras captured men dressed as ninjas and wearing black masks entering the couple's sprawling house, stealing a safe and leaving in less than four minutes.

Family attorney Robert Beasley said in a statement that a second safe was not stolen and contained the money, but no drugs, guns or other items to suggest illegal activity. It's not known if the suspects were looking for the second safe, Beasley said. The one they left with had little in financial value.

"Contrary to rumors of as much as $12 million in the home the night of the murders, the second safe contained $164,000 in cash, some antique jewelry and assorted legal documents," the lawyer's statement said.

The money was a cash reserve for the family's financing business, Beasley said. The family ran Worldco Financial Services next to a used car lot they operated. Authorities have removed the money as possible evidence, he said
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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fightingquaker13

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2009, 01:27:19 PM »
PENSACOLA, Fla. —  A Florida grand jury indicted seven men Tuesday in the robbery and killings of a couple known for adopting special needs children, and a lawyer for the family acknowledged that a safe in the couple's home contained $164,000.

Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot to death July 9. Surveillance cameras captured men dressed as ninjas and wearing black masks entering the couple's sprawling house, stealing a safe and leaving in less than four minutes.

Family attorney Robert Beasley said in a statement that a second safe was not stolen and contained the money, but no drugs, guns or other items to suggest illegal activity. It's not known if the suspects were looking for the second safe, Beasley said. The one they left with had little in financial value.

"Contrary to rumors of as much as $12 million in the home the night of the murders, the second safe contained $164,000 in cash, some antique jewelry and assorted legal documents," the lawyer's statement said.

The money was a cash reserve for the family's financing business, Beasley said. The family ran Worldco Financial Services next to a used car lot they operated. Authorities have removed the money as possible evidence, he said

OK leaving aside the LEOs keeping the money as "possible" evidence (WTF?), this case is awful. I am generally opposed to the death penalty as a punishment, as it smack of vengange (vengance is mine saith the Lord and all that). I do, however support it when it can serve as a deterrant. In this case it was a cold blooded premeditated act where the people commiting it had to know enough about the family they were harming to realize what good folks they were. In this case, I would be in favor of the needle.
FQ13

Jackel

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2009, 02:50:31 PM »
dressed as ninjas?

what is that supposed to mean?
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Pathfinder

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2009, 06:10:10 AM »
dressed as ninjas?

what is that supposed to mean?

Criminals ain't usually the brightest bulbs in the pack. Although the planners here were on the ball - if not for a failed disabling of the security system they probably would not have been caught.

I think the comment meant that at least some of them were dressed in all-black - for a daylight attack! I've only seen a couple of stills from the security camera and none of the ones I saw were dressed that way, though.

Good point, thought, the reporter is assuming things - rather typical these days, lazy and sloppy.
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Kid Shelleen

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2009, 10:59:50 PM »
A dirty, rotten, filthy crime. The senseless taking of lives is a crime without excuse. I hope that the DA's case is rock solid and that the perps go down hard. >:(
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Johnny Bravo

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2009, 11:08:40 PM »

Enough said.
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

"An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject."

tt11758

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2009, 05:43:01 PM »
OK leaving aside the LEOs keeping the money as "possible" evidence (WTF?), this case is awful. I am generally opposed to the death penalty as a punishment, as it smack of vengange (vengance is mine saith the Lord and all that). I do, however support it when it can serve as a deterrant. In this case it was a cold blooded premeditated act where the people commiting it had to know enough about the family they were harming to realize what good folks they were. In this case, I would be in favor of the needle.
FQ13

You must admit, it does tend to cut down on repeat offenders.   ;D
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tombogan03884

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2009, 08:26:37 PM »
OK leaving aside the LEOs keeping the money as "possible" evidence (WTF?), this case is awful. I am generally opposed to the death penalty as a punishment, as it smack of vengange (vengance is mine saith the Lord and all that). I do, however support it when it can serve as a deterrant. In this case it was a cold blooded premeditated act where the people commiting it had to know enough about the family they were harming to realize what good folks they were. In this case, I would be in favor of the needle.
FQ13

Funny how the death penalty was used for thousands of years then you "sensitive types" decided you had a "better idea" and crime sky rockets.
Henry Ford you ain't.
What you touchy feely types can't get through your thick over educated under learned heads is that it has nothing to do with "Vengeance", "punishment" or rehabilitation. It is strictly about removing permanently from society an individual who refuses to abide by the rules that govern ALL societies, You don't Rape, murder, or rob, if you get caught, you die. simple.

fightingquaker13

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2009, 08:35:28 PM »
Funny how the death penalty was used for thousands of years then you "sensitive types" decided you had a "better idea" and crime sky rockets.
Henry Ford you ain't.
What you touchy feely types can't get through your thick over educated under learned heads is that it has nothing to do with "Vengeance", "punishment" or rehabilitation. It is strictly about removing permanently from society an individual who refuses to abide by the rules that govern ALL societies, You don't Rape, murder, or rob, if you get caught, you die. simple.

On this issue, it comes down to religion for me. The death penalty is like divorce, the Bible gives us permission to do both under certain circumstances, but its not pleasing to God. Back in the day, in a largely substistence society life in prison with no parole wasn't an option. Now it is. We should pursue that option if we can. If its not an option, than the death penalty should be employed. If death (as in the case of terrorism or well planned out crimes) will deter, than again, fine. Otherwise you don't kill if there is an alternative. Its not about what kind of person the criminal is, its about what kind of person you are, when he's at your mercy. I think we're just going to disagree on this one in most, but not all cases.
FQ13

tombogan03884

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Re: 7 Indicted in Murders of Florida Couple; D.A. Can Seek Death Penalty
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2009, 08:43:36 PM »
 It costs $68000 per year to keep a prisoner, with the possibility of him escaping and reoffending, versus $0.50 to put a bullet through his head eliminating all threat to society.
Takes a sick individual to think that it is "more humane" to lock up another human in a cage like a dog at the pound, don't you ever spout your hypocrisy about how SLAVERY is evil.
If your that sick you should seek help.

 

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