Billingsley pleads guilty to attempted murder on Edmondson Avenue

By Racquel Bazos
– 26 August 2024
Attempted murder | Court | Everyday stories | Homicides | Non-fatal shootings | Shootings | Suspects | Victims |

Jason Dean Billingsley pleaded guilty on August 26 to two counts of attempted first-degree murder for attempting to burn a woman and her boyfriend alive after sexually assaulting them in September 2023.

Billingsley, 33, was charged with attempted premeditated murder, first-degree assault, first- and second-degree rape, third-degree sex offense, burglary, first-degree arson, use of a firearm in a serious crime of violence, false imprisonment, possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure and possession of a weapon with a felony conviction in connection with the brutal attack in the 800 block of Edmondson Avenue.

Baltimore District Attorney Ivan Bates said in a press release: “This outcome reflects our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for victims and holding violent offenders accountable for their actions. Our thoughts continue to be with the survivors and we hope this verdict brings some measure of closure and healing to them, their loved ones and their community.”

Billingsley and his defense attorney Jason Rodriguez are scheduled to appear in court on August 30 for Billingsley to plead guilty to the murder of technology CEO Pava LaPere. The killing occurred just three days after the incident in that case.

Billingsley was convicted of a first-degree sex offense and sentenced to 14 years in prison in February 2015, but was released in October 2022. Prior to the tragic events in September 2023, Billingsley had completed the terms of probation, parole, and sex offender registration.

A bill to eliminate the sentence reduction credits that allowed Billingsley to be released before his original sentence date has been referred to the Maryland General Assembly committee for consideration. The Pava Marie LaPere bill would prohibit sentence reduction credits, or “good time credits,” for defendants convicted of first-degree rape or first-degree sexual assault.
Judge Robert K. Taylor, Jr. presided over the hearing on Monday.

There are no notifications available for this specific case yet. Please check back later for updates. Thank you.