A second defendant has been found guilty by a jury in the murders of a Florida couple who were known for adopting special-needs children. Wayne Coldiron was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion robbery in the deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings on July 9, 2009 in their Pensacola area home. Nine of their children were home at the time.When given the opportunity, Coldiron did not say anything to the court before he was sentenced.
Circuit Judge Nick Geeker sentenced Coldiron to two-consecutive life sentences for the first-degree murder convictions and 15 years on the home invasion charge. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty because there was no evidence that he knew before the robbery that the murders were going to take place.
During the trial, Coldiron's defense attorneys tried to show that he was coerced into participating in the home invasion as the last minute by the ringleader, Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. They claimed Gonzalez threatened Coldiron's family and suggested involvement by Mexican drug lords in the plan.
Collecting Mexican Drug Money?
Gonzalez told the group that they were collecting drug money for the Mexicans and there was an estimated $13 million in the home, according to testimony during the trial.
The robbers ended up taking a small safe that contain children's prescription medication, paperwork and jewelry. Another safe, located elsewhere in the house and missed by the ninja-dressed gang, contained $164,000 from Byrd Billings' auto-financing company.
Thus far, two of the robbers have been found guilty by jury, two pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the others and five more still face trial. None of the remaining defendants will face the death penalty.
Five More Trials Scheduled
Donnie Stallworth will go on trial in February on the same charges that Coldiron faced. In April, Gary Sumner and Leonard Gonzalez Sr., father of the mastermind of the robbery, will face trial together.
Finally, in May Pamela Long Wiggins will face trial for being an accessory after the fact. The safe stolen from the Billings' home was found buried in her backyard. Investigators also found the murder weapon in her car.
Frederick Thorton, 19, and Rakeem Florence, 16, pleaded guilty to second degree murder and agreed to testify against the others.
See Also:
Coldiron Gets Life in Billings Slayings
A Look Back at the Billings Murder Case
Background:
The Deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings
What Is Your Opinion?
Discuss The Billings Case
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Photos: Family Photo
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