Billings Murder: Testimony Underway

10:00 a.m.
Testimony is underway in the capital murder trial of Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr. He is the first of seven men to stand trial for the slayings of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

Ashley Markham, the adult daughter of Melanie Billings, took the stand moments ago.

During opening statements, Florida State Attorney Bill Eddins described the violent details of the July 9 2009 murders. Eddins told jurors that Gonzalez Jr. cornered Byrd in Melanie Billings in their master bedroom and demanded money. When Byrd Billings said he didn't have any money, Eddins says Gonzalez Jr. shot him in the cheek as a warning then in the head.

Eddins told jurors that Gonzalez Jr. then turned to Melanie, who watched helplessly as her husband was murdered, and demanded the combination to a safe. Melanie said she could not remember the safe, and Eddins says she was shot in the face.

8:30 a.m.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today in the murder trial of Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr., the first of seven men to stand trial for the slayings of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

A 12 person jury and one alternate were selected late Monday afternoon after one day of questioning. Eleven women and two men were picked for the panel. The jurors do not know who among them is the alternate.

Byrd and Melanie Billings, a couple well known for adopting special needs children, were shot to death in their home on July 9, 2009. Nine of their children were in the house during the home invasion, but none of them were hurt.

Assistant State Attorney John Molchan has said he plans to call 40 witnesses during the trial. Melanie Billing's adult daughter, Ashley Markham, is expected to be the first person to take the stand when testimony begins today. The defendant's wife, Tabitha Gonzalez, is also on the witness list, as well as two other defendants Frederick Thornton, 20, and Rakeem Florence, who was 16 at the time of the murder. Thornton and Florence have already pleaded guilty to second degree murder.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Gonzalez Jr, and two other suspects who will be tried seperately, Wayne Coldiron, 42, and Donnie Stallworth, 29.

Two other men, Gary Sumner, 31, and Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Sr., 57, are also charged with murder.

An eighth suspect, Pamela Long Wiggins, is charged as an accessory after the crime.