GUILTY: Wayne Coldiron Convicted In Billings' Murder

3:55 p.m.
Circuit Judge Nick Geeker has sentenced Wayne Coldiron to two life sentences for the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings. Coldiron was also sentenced to a 15 year concurrent sentence for the home invasion robbery.

3:45 p.m.
A jury has found Wayne Coldiron guilty of two counts of first degree murder and one count of home invasion murder.

9:30 a.m
Jurors are deciding the fate of Wayne Coldiron, the second of seven men to stand trial for the home invasion murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

Jury deliberations began this morning, after three days of testimony.

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.

Coldiron has not denied his participation in the robbery that led to the Billings’ death, but his attorney has described him as an unwilling participant. “He had no way out,” his defense attorney told jurors during opening statements on Tuesday. “He was pulled into something on July 9. He was pulled into something he didn’t want to be involved in,” the attorney said.

Assistant State Attorney John Molchan acknowledged that Patrick Gonzalez Jr., the alleged mastermind of the home invasion, was the triggerman who killed Byrd and Melanie Billings but said Coldiron, 42, was an active participant, carrying a 357 pistol into the home.

"The robbery was designed with maximum shock and awe," Molchan told the jury.

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, who was convicted of capital murder in October,.to death.

Two other defendants, who admitted to entering the home armed with guns, are also awaiting their sentence. 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.

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.