Couple who adopted 12 children shot to death #2

[Gene]

Sheriff Morgan compared these senseless murders to the Copote Book "In Cold Blood".

http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/50687167.html

The more I learn about what happened in the Billings case, the more I can see the connection with the book. If you have not read the book in a while, you might like to see a synopsis.

http://www.allreaders.com/topics/Info_21234.asp

In the book, the Clutter family, the best loved family in their small Kansas town is targeted by seasoned criminals. The criminals plan the crime in detail while in prison. The book develops the main characters in detail. One killer is a small, but charming pyschopath. The other is a pill (asprin) popping hardened criminal who had a terrible childhood to forget.

The killers have been lead to believe that there is a safe in the Clutter house containing untold riches, by someone who has previously worked for the Clutter family. This same person later gives them up to the police, leading to their arrest, conviction and execution. After the crime the killers flee to another country (Mexico) until their money runs out and they return to the USA to be arrested.

The Billings killings have so much in common. The criminals trace their connection back to prison where Gonzales Sr and Jr were "reunited'. The criminals have planned their act in detail, we have heard that they have practiced for a month. One of the killers is a small but charming psychopath. They target one of the leading citizens of a small community and remove their safe. We are told that other countries are involved. I could go on, but I guess that most people here know the story well?

Morgan obviously knows the details of this crime in far more detail than we do, but I expect that as we go along, we will be seeing other similarities to the book.

 

[SuziQ]

here is a bit more information about all the liens and weird documents.




source:http://www.adl.org/Learn/ext_us/SCM.asp?xpicked=4&item=20

still reading ...

This is what I recalled Domestic Terror groups doing to their local Mayors and such.

 

[elainebenice]

This was new to me:


http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1018506.ece

I knew of Pashu and Markham Auto sales, and the finance company, but they had interest in a pawn shop, too?

I really have no idea what types of businesses the Billings owned or what business dealings they may have been involved in, but I will say that the area of Pensacola where their car dealerships were located (along with most of the car dealerships in Pensacola) is not the nicest area of town and has quite a few pawn shops. I think someone mentioned something earlier about many of these businesses being on smaller, residential-type lots and some have "homes" on them that are now used for the business. Also, I haven't done much, but the little checking I did on the finance company leads me to believe this is most likely a larger company with other locations around the country and the Billings owned a "franchise" in Pensacola (this could be completely wrong, just based on 1st glance). It wouldn't surprise me AT ALL if we find out that this finance company is considered to be a "predatory lender." Before anyone gets too worked up, I'm not accusing the Billings of doing anything illegal or "predatory" (as you would normally think of the term), but this is typically how businesses like payday loan, title loan, check cashing and some pawn shops are referred to by regulatory agencies and in a legal sense. As a public interest atty, I unfortunately have to deal with "customers" of these businesses every single day and am very familiar with their practices. Their finance company may be nothing more than a separate company they used to assist the customers of their car dealerships with getting financing and never conducted any type of transaction that would fall under the predatory lending umbrella, but I won't be surprised at all if we find out they were doing some predatory lending-type transactions.

All I know for sure is that there is a LOT more to the Billings' story that will become more clear as time goes on and I'm not convinced at all whether "the rest of the story" had anything to do with these murders. It could all just end up being a strange side note to this tragic story, but I think it will bug the crap out of me until I figure out how all of these weird pieces of the puzzle fit together.

 

[SuziQ]

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090715/NEWS01/90715005

(snip)
Gary Lamont Sumner, 30, and Frederick Lee Thornton Jr., 19, are expected to make their first appearances at 1:30 p.m. at the M.C. Blanchard Building in downtown Pensacola.

They will appear via video conference from the Escambia County Jail where they are each being jailed on two counts open counts of murder.

 

[SuziQ]

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090715/NEWS01/90715003/Suspects-cooperating

(snips)
Four of the suspects in the death of Byrd and Melanie Billings are cooperating with investigators, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said this morning.

Morgan also said investigators are nearing the arrest of an eighth person in Thursday’s slayings. He said investigators are awaiting word from the State Attorney’s Office before they make the arrest.

 

[VespaElf]

IF you know for a fact what his prior " business" was, then telling the TRUTH is not slanderous. How can we find out more about the crime if you are withholding information? Whatever he " did ", he was not in prison for it, so how bad could it be??

I think you should either tell what you know, or remain silent altogether if you can simply " hint" at some kind of impropriety.

THANK YOU!!! Thats what Ive been trying to say!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CHICANA]

copied dont know how to bold i always mess it up

I honestly would never speak to my father again if he interfered with my relationship with my children.

And that is a Parents biggest fear and I believe might be the reason a lot do not rescue grandchildren because sometimes in family courts good people still lose even to very bad parents.I love my son to death but if he was a danger to my grandson I would fight him tooth and nail if I thought he was being put in jeopardy. But its weird because when I was a mom I did feel the same way you do,Now when I became a grandmom I understand it more now.

I've been a grandma for 6 months now and if I knew my grandson was being abused I would call the police and have them investigate it. If necessary, I could take care of my grandson without fighting for custody. I don't need papers or child support, he's family. I would never try to interfere just because I disagreed with her parenting or thought I could do it better.
The girls in this case were around 11 & 17, IMO if their father was dangerous, they would have been taken when they were smaller. IMO (and based on experience with my teen) kids this age think the 'grass is greener' anywhere but with their parents. IDK, but I get the feeling it could be as simple as the girls not liking Dad's rules or expectations and Grandpa taking their side. I picture a big family fight, then an "I'll show you" on the part of Byrd since he has the $$ to get what he wants. In family court, sometimes it isn't always the better parent that wins, it's the one with the better lawyer.

 

[VespaElf]

I've been a grandma for 6 months now and if I knew my grandson was being abused I would call the police and have them investigate it. If necessary, I could take care of my grandson without fighting for custody. I don't need papers or child support, he's family. I would never try to interfere just because I disagreed with her parenting or thought I could do it better.
The girls in this case were around 11 & 17, IMO if their father was dangerous, they would have been taken when they were smaller. IMO (and based on experience with my teen) kids this age think the 'grass is greener' anywhere but with their parents. IDK, but I get the feeling it could be as simple as the girls not liking Dad's rules or expectations and Grandpa taking their side. I picture a big family fight, then an "I'll show you" on the part of Byrd since he has the $$ to get what he wants. In family court, sometimes it isn't always the better parent that wins, it's the one with the better lawyer.

You couldnt just "take"your grandson,you would & do need "papers"!!!!!!!!Its not about child support!!! Unless you know something we dont you cant make ANY statement about the Billings family custody issues!

 

[passionflower]

How did the Billings get so wealthy?
Does anyone know from the beginning before
they adopted all the children?
Would they get government help and SS for each child?
That house and property alone is worth a bundle?
Just thinking out loud.......

 

[Midwest MOM]

I know an Ann Simmons in Chumuckla, if its the same one I know her husband and her ran a drywall company his name was Charlie Simmons and he passed away a few years back. If anyone could post their address as you have it I will look it up and the map and tell you if its the same people.

Hi Dood, I just wanted to say thank you for all the help you have been giving in this case. Glad you are diving in:woohoo:
Posting addresses is not a good idea- links work well
you can find out a lot on whitepages.com utilizing name, then do a reverse search using the phone numbers and addresses or any other names that come up in those catigories(such as her husbands) Another site I really like, but havent heard others using is zabasearch.com-it will give you past phone numbers and addresses however if you have a common name, it only works well it you have the birthday or approx age.

Quick question for you that had me up all night. regarding LPG I know that the Poffs was his mom and stepdad, I dont recall anything about siblings? either step or bio. I may have missed that info.... Do you have any info on that? I saw LPG SR sister on the news (did not speak highly of either) any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[Gypsy Road]

How did the Billings get so wealthy?
Does anyone know from the beginning before
they adopted all the children?
Would they get government help and SS for each child?
That house and property alone is worth a bundle?
Just thinking out loud.......

I think the "how did the Billing's get so wealthy" question has been answered several times by people who knew the family personally. Apparently Byrd was a hard working man and entrepreneur who owned many businesses. His wealth built up over time.

 

[elainebenice]

Hi Dood, I just wanted to say thank you for all the help you have been giving in this case. Glad you are diving in:woohoo:
Posting addresses is not a good idea- links work well
you can find out a lot on whitepages.com utilizing name, then do a reverse search using the phone numbers and addresses or any other names that come up in those catigories(such as her husbands) Another site I really like, but havent heard others using is zabasearch.com-it will give you past phone numbers and addresses however if you have a common name, it only works well it you have the birthday or approx age.

Quick question for you that had me up all night. regarding LPG I know that the Poffs was his mom and stepdad, I dont recall anything about siblings? either step or bio. I may have missed that info.... Do you have any info on that? I saw LPG SR sister on the news (did not speak highly of either) any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

The address of the property is listed in the document granting a security interest in it.....just fyi....and I posted a link to mapquest showing the exact location of the home in the 1st thread for this topic. I'll go back and find it.

Here's the link - http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Jay&state=FL&address=2787+Hwy+182&zipcode=32565

 

[mom23gr8kids]

Just wanted to let everyone know that the sheriff is planning to hold another press conference @ noon.

Ashley did a beautiful job this morning at her press conference. I know Bud and Melanie would be so proud of her.

 

[raines67]

That same person that posted that very creepy video on youtube posted another today. I don't know how to link, but I found it by doing a search for Billings murders. She mentioned Jr. being a victim. I was hoping that youtube would have not allowed them to post any more.

 

[Sam Jones]

Pensacola News Journal

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090715/NEWS01/907150328

 

[raines67]

I looked at that youtube poster's profile and there is a comment by the poster that mentions a video tape in the safe that was stolen. Not sure if this was discussed, if so I'll delete.

 

[LaceSprocket]

CNN HLN said that Sheriff Morgan will announce who the 8th person is and show a photograph during the news conference happening at 1:00 p.m EST today.

He said it is a "person of prominence" in the Pensacola area.

 

[daisy7]

My DSL is back and I finally watched that YouTube video. Yes, it is disturbing!!

There were a few posts in thread #1 about how it looked like Tabatha (current wife of Jr.) and that she must have created this video. I don't understand how anyone could say it resembles her, when the video only shows her eyes.

Also, she repeatedly refers to CPS in the video. If it was a Floridian, she would have referred to DCF.

Unless anyone has any evidence that Tabatha created this video, can we lay this rumor to rest?:blowkiss:

 

[chattycathy]

Sorry to interject but lpg jr did not have any siblings with the same father. As far as half or step siblings from the poffs I am not 100% but I don't believe so either.

 

[SuziQ]

Link to presser

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090715/NEWS01/90715008