Bond Denied For Billings Murder Suspects

An Escambia County judge denied bond for Leonard Gonzalez Jr and Wayne Coldiron, two of the seven people arrested in the robbery and murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

Leonard Gonzalez Jr

During Tuesday's bond hearing, Gonzalez told the judge he's not guilty.

"The state's entire case is based on hearsay, circumstantial evidence and the confession of a mentally challenged person with a long history of making false statements and false confessions," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said he and his wife run a non-profit agency called Project FIGHTBACK. The self defense group teaches free abduction awareness and kidnap prevention techniques to children and self defense/rape awareness classes to women.

"From the very beginning, the investigators and Sheriff have focused their sights both entirely on me, even pushing me into the media before evidence was even gathered," Gonzalez said.

He shook his head while the judge read the charges.

"I am not guilty of the crimes of which I am being charged," Gonzalez said.

Sheriff David Morgan said Gonzalez was the ringleader of the robbery/home invasion of the Billings home in Beulah. The Billings were well known for adopting special need children.

Wayne Coldiron

Coldiron told the judge is a "plumber by trade" but was laid off because of the recession.

Coldiron dropped his head in disbelief when the judge announced he was denying bond

The judge appointed both Coldiron and Gonzalez a public defender. Both men are due back in court August 6.

The Sheriff's Office has also arrested Gonzalez's dad, Gary Sumner, Donald Stallworth, Fredrick Thornton and an unidentified 16-year-old. State Attorney Bill Eddins says he plans to charge all seven with capital murder.

News 5 first reported this story as BREAKING NEWS on wkrg.com.
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