Judge: Video of murders can be viewed

PENSACOLA, Fla. - All eight defendants in the Billings murders were in court Friday, to hear the ruling on evidence in the case. The Billings' family was trying to stop the release of surveillance video, which showed children's faces and the gruesome murders.

The judge ruled the images will be available for the media and public to view. However, he ruled that no one can make copies of those images to print, broadcast, or publish on the internet.

Melanie Billings' daughter, Ashley Markham, believes some privacy must be maintained.

"I believe it's a fair compromise. I believe it's in the best interests of our privacy, and also the media's interest for public knowledge," said Markham. "I feel like we have been through enough already. and having to relive it every day would be more traumatic to us."

The attorney representing media, including the Associated Press, is pleased with the court order.

"The compromise sort of prevents overuse, visual overuse of the images, but it lets people see it and report on it, in writing at least," said attorney Dennis Larry.

Since the beginning of the case, the only surveillance images released to the public were those of the suspects crossing the Billings' lawn. However, interior surveillance pictures reportedly show how the Billings were killed.

The state attorney's office says the video will first be viewed by each defense attorney by Monday evening. Then the media and members of the general public can view it, beginning Tuesday.

Also, the order also allows for crime scene photos to be viewed within the same guidelines.

Leonard Gonzalez, Jr., Leonard Gonzalez, Sr., Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, Gary Sumner, Frederick Thornton, and Rakeem Florence have all been charged with two counts of first degree murder, and one count each of home invasion robbery. The six men may face the death penalty if convicted, and Florence, 16, may face life in prison.

Pamela Long Wiggins is charged as an accessory after the fact, first degree. Her bond was recently increased from $10,000 to $500,000, because she was a possible flight risk. The discovery documents also released the fact that Wiggins' husband, Hugh Wiggins, has been a person of interest since the beginning.

Henry "Cab" Tice is also a person of interest in the case. Authorities say Tice was once in business with Billings, and allegedly stole thousands from him. According to Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, Tice also admitted to being involved with the Mexican Mafia.

The trials for the two Gonzalez, Coldiron, Stallworth, Sumner, and Thornton are scheduled for November. Florence's trial is scheduled for October.