By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
Jason Billingsley, the man accused of murdering tech founder Pava LaPere, pleaded guilty to the brutal attack and torture of a Baltimore man and woman on Aug. 26. The 33-year-old entered a guilty plea on two counts of attempted murder tied to home invasion and arson.
Survivors April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore accused Billingsley of tying them up in a West Baltimore home before soaking them with gasoline and setting them and the house on fire. Hurley also alleged that Billingsley sexually assaulted her and slashed her throat. She bears a scar on her neck from the incident today.
“We are relieved that Jason Billingsley pleaded guilty today,” said Hurley’s attorneys William “Billy” Murphy, Andrew O’Connell, Malcolm Ruff and Phylecia Faubias in a statement. “Our client, April Hurley, is now one step closer to justice for the brutal attack in which she was raped, tortured, set on fire, had her throat slashed and was left to die— a horrific assault that has forever changed her life.”
Gilmore and Hurley’s attack took place on Sep. 19, 2023. Six days later, LaPere was found dead on the rooftop of her Mount Vernon apartment building, after being strangled and beaten to death.
Only then did Baltimore police publicly identify Billingsley as a suspect in the cases and a threat to the public. Police apprehended Billingsley on Sep. 27 in Bowie, Md.
In April, Gilmore and Hurley sued Eden’s Homes and Property Pals, the manager and owner of their Edmondson Avenue home and Billingsley’s employer. The lawsuit accuses the companies of negligence and property liability. Gilmore and Hurley are seeking compensatory damages in excess of $75,000.
“Yet, no sentence can undo the trauma she endured— not only at the hands of Jason Billingsley but also due to the negligence of those who were responsible for the property where she lived,” Hurley’s attorneys added. “We will continue to hold Eden’s Homes and Property Pals accountable and press them to do what is right by adequately compensating Ms. Hurley for the devastation she has suffered.”
These violent acts are not Billingsley’s first encounter with the justice system. In 2015, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but 16 years of the term were suspended. In 2022, he was released after collecting enough good conduct credits.
Billingsley is set to appear in court for the first-degree murder charges stemming from the death of LaPere on Aug. 30, the same day he will be sentenced for his attack on Hurley and Gilmore.
“The horrific acts of false imprisonment, assault and attempted murder have left a lasting impact on the lives of not only the victim but our city as a whole. This outcome reflects our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for victims and holding violent offenders accountable for their actions,” said Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates in a statement. “Our hearts continue to be with the survivors, and we hope this verdict brings them, their loved ones and their community some measure of closure and healing.”
The post Jason Billingsley pleads guilty to attempted murder of West Baltimore couple appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
