PENSACOLA, Florida (WALA) - UPDATE: 3:42 p.m. More experts have been called to the stand to testify in Patrick Gonzalez, Jr.'s murder trial. Gonzalez, Jr. is the alleged ringleader in the July 2009 murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
2:57 p.m. The safe stolen from the home of the Billings has been unsealed. Investigators say the suspects thought the safe had millions of dollars in it, but it did not.
2:14 p.m. The Prosecution continues to call witnesses, including several members of the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
2:00 p.m. Stephen Hartley, a Pensacola business owner is called to the stand. He testifies that Ms. Wiggins' van was on his business property, covered by a car cover, shortly after the date of the murders. It was later confiscated by investigators.
Fifth Dimension Body shop continues to come up throughout the proceeding.
Several witnesses have testified that some of the meetings conducted by Gonzalez, Jr. were at the business. Those meetings were held to discuss plans to commit the crime.
1:50 p.m. Escambia County homicide investigator Lee Tyree has taken the stand.
1:42 p.m. Witness Shane Lynes takes the stand. Lynes is a special agent with the ATF.
1:20 p.m . Court has resumed following a lunch break. Witness Eddie Dinson of Moss Point, Miss., has taken the stand. Dinson says he had several guns that were confiscated by ATF.
The guns connected to the crime have been entered into evidence.
11:52 a.m. The zip tie that was used to bind Byrd Billings has been displayed to the jury.
The projectiles, from the bodies of Byrd and Melanie Billings, were also entered into evidence.
Additional projectiles were taken from the home.
Investigators say they had to remove carpet and padding from inside the home to get all the projectiles.
The judge has just taken a break for lunch.
Court will resume at 1:15.
11:41 a.m. A local body shop owner testified that Leonard Patrick Gonzalez wanted him to change two tires on a van.
Gonzalez wanted that done a day after the murder.
"He walked in, threw a twenty on the counter, and said, 'If anyone asks, you haven't seen me,'" said Autoworx store owner Dan Blocker. "I didn’t know at the time about the case."
Blocker said when he heard about the murders on local media outlets, he called police.
An investigator who helped conduct the autopsy is now on the stand.
11:14 a.m. Several witnesses have taken the stand to testify in the trial on Patrick Gonzalez, Jr., the alleged ringleader in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
Various investigators within the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office have given their testimonies on how they collected evidence at the scene.
Their testimonies are moving swiftly because each one is responsible for separate duties.
11:03 a.m. During cross examination, Florence told defense attorneys that he and Thornton are like brothers.
Florence fathered a child by Thornton’s sister.
When defense attorney John Jay Gontarek asked Florence whether he gave his testimony to get a shorter sentence, the 16-year-old said that was not the only reason.
"I did it because it was the right thing," said Florence.
Florence did admit to the court that he hopes to get youth offender status and gain a shorter sentence in exchange of his testimony. The teen admitted that he was scared when the crime happened.
10:26 a.m. Rakeem Florence told prosecutors that he had a mask on when he went into the home. Florence says Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. told him what door to enter and kick it in to gain entry.
Florence says when he went inside the home, Byrd and Melanie Billings were on the ground. Florence says he heard three shots and he was instructed to carry the safe out of the home.
At that time, Florence says all the people involved loaded up "in the big red van" and left.
"It was instructed for me and Mr. Thornton to burn the clothing," said Florence on the stand.
9:42 a.m. Rakeem Florence has now taken the stand. He is the youngest suspect charged in the Billings' murders, being 16-years-old at the time.
Florence told prosecutors that he also had several meetings with Gonzalez, Jr.
Florence said after the murders, he lied to law enforcement authorities about his involvement. Florence told investigators initially that he went to the home to get drugs. But after the influence of his mother, Florence then told the truth about his involvement.
Florence testified that he was recruited to participate in the murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
He has pleaded guilty to second degree murder. He will not face the death penalty.
9:27 a.m. Witness testimony resumes Wednesday morning in the murder case of Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. He is the person accused of murdering Byrd and Melanie Billings in July 2009.
Watch the testimony live here .
Prosecutors finished questioning Frederick Thornton Tuesday afternoon. He is also accused in the couple's death and is testifying against Gonzalez.
Defense attorneys will begin their cross examination of Thornton Wednesday.
Background:
Byrd
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