Billings Murder: Testimony Begins In Second Trial

10:50 a.m.
Testimony began Tuesday morning in the murder trial of Wayne Coldiron, the second of seven men to stand trial for the home invasion murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

The victims' adult daughter, Ashley Markham, was the first witness called to testify. Markham explained that surveillance cameras inside her parents' home were installed to watch the special needs children who were adopted by the Billings.

Markham, who at the time lived in Perdido with her husband, recalled the night of July 9, 2009, telling jurors she learned about the home invasion and murders when she tried to call her mom and instead one of her special needs brothers answered the phone. "He was very frantic and screaming into the phone," Markham told the jury.

April Spencer, a nurse who lives on the Billings' property, testified that one of the Billings' daughters ran to her house to get help.

"When she came to the door she was just pounding and pounding and pounding on the door," said Spencer, who testified that she then went to the Billings' house and found Byrd and Melanie Billings lying dead in their master bedroom.

9:45 a.m.
Opening statements are underway in the murder trial of Wayne Coldiron, the second of seven men to stand trial for the home invasion murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

The Billings, a couple well known for adopting special needs children, were shot to death in their home in Beulah, Florida 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 began his opening statement explaining how Patrick Gonzalez Jr., who was convicted in October, brought together a "gang" of seven men to execute the robbery and murders. "The robbery was designed with maximum shock and awe," Molchan told the jury.

Molchan acknowledged that Gonzalez Jr., 36, was the triggerman who killed Byrd and Melanie Billings but said Coldiron, 42, was an active particpant, carrying a 357 pistol into the home.

During the defense's opening statement, Coldiron's attorney did not dispute Coldiron's participation but described him as a late participant who became involved weeks after the others. Coldiron's attorney also described the former day laborer as fearful. "He had no way out," the defense attorney told jurors, trying to convince the jury that Coldiron believed he'd be killed if he backed out of the home invasion. "He was pulled into something on July 9th. He was pulled into something he didn't want to be involved in," the attorney said.

Melanie Billing's adult daughter, Ashley Markham, is expected to be among the first witnesses to take the stand when testimony begins later today. Two other defendants, who admitted to entering the home armed with guns, are also expected to testify. Rakeem Florence, 18, and Frederick Thornton, 20, were allowed to enter pleas to lesser charges of second-degree murder in exchange for their testimony against their co-defendants.

Coldiron faces mandatory life in prison sentences if convicted of two counts of first-degree murder. Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Nick Geeker will decide on February 17 whether to accept a jury's recommendation to sentence Gonzalez Jr. to death.

Donnie Stallworth, 29, the fifth person accused of entering the house, is scheduled for trial on first degree murder charges on February 28.

Gary Sumner and Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr., who investigators believe were the getaway drivers, still face trial.