Alleged Leader In Couple Deaths Calm In Interview

The alleged ringleader of group of men
charged in the July home-invasion deaths of a Panhandle couple
appears confident and relaxed in an lengthy videotaped interview
with detectives.
The 70-minute interview with Leonard Gonzalez Jr. was recorded
July 11 and released to the media by the State Attorney's office on
Tuesday as part of public information request.
Gonzalez is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and
faces the death penalty if convicted in the July 9 shooting deaths
of Byrd and Melanie Billings. The couple, known for adopting many
young children with special needs, were killed by a group of masked
intruders.
During the interview, Gonzalez told investigators that Billings
had business ties to the Mexican Mafia and that he believed the
couple were victims of gang-related hit.

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