Billings suspect pleads no contest

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - One of seven suspects accused of brutally murdering a Florida Panhandle couple in front of their children has entered a new plea.

Frederick Thornton was initially charged with two counts of first degree murder: one each for Byrd and Melanie Billings. Thursday, he changed his not guilty plea to one of no contest to second degree murder.

He was originally looking at the death penalty. Now, he's looking at an agreement that may get him a lesser sentence.

Thornton entered the plea, but still didn't quite understand the charged.

"How could I be charged with murder?" he asked the judge.

"If you were participant in an ongoing felony, during which a person or persons were killed, you are responsible for the killings, even though you may have no been the person who actually committed the killings," the judge replied.

The state attorney says Thornton was inside the home when Bud and Melanie Billings were brutally killed. That's why Eddins went to Thornton and offered a deal. In return, he'll have to testify against his co-defendants during their trials.

"It allows me to have a person that was honest in the house, with them, that knows what happened in the house and in detail," State Attorney Bill Eddins said.

For Thornton, it could mean less time behind bars.

"He gets the right let the judge know he's testified truthfully against co-defendants. That allows him to ask the judge to consider that and impose a more lenient sentence," added Eddins.

Many of the Billings family members watched as he made his plea. The state attorney says the main man they are focused on is the alleged ring leader, Leonard Gonzalez, Junior. The family is all for the plea deal if it could help bring a guilty verdict against Gonzalez, Jr.

"We believe that is helpful to us and will enable us to lay out, in clear detail, the facts of the case. We feel that this was appropriate disposition in overall case," said Eddins.

For now, Thornton will return to jail, while the state uses his help to build their case against the other seven defendants.

The judge ordered a pre-sentencing report and will set sentencing at a later date. Thornton is still facing life in prison at this time.

Other suspects

The remaining six murder suspects in the case have pleaded not guilty to two counts each of first degree murder, and one count each of home invasion robbery.

They are Leonard Gonzalez, Sr., Leonard Gonzalez, Jr., Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, Gary Sumner, and Rakeem Florence. The five men may face the death penalty, while Florence, 16, may face life behind bars.

Another person of interest, Henry "Cab" Tice, has been questioned in connection to the case. Tice was a former business partner of Byrd Billings, and allegedly stole thousands from him.

Sheriff David Morgan said Tice was into the Mexican Mafia, and allegedly owed tens of thousands of dollars to them. The sheriff went on to say they don't believe Billings had any ties to the Mexican Mafia. Tice is charged with theft.

Pamela Long Wiggins has been charged with being an accessory after the fact, first degree. She's in the Escambia County Jail, under $500,000 bond. Her husband, Hugh Wiggins, is also a person of interest in the case.