Sheriff: Suspects trained before Fla. couple slain

[Story]

Interesting twist on home invasions - the bad guys actually practiced what they were going to do.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...Zg-cwD99ES3FO2

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — Investigators say a group of men charged in the slaying of a Florida couple known for adopting special needs children trained for a month to rob the couple's home.

Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot to death at their home near Pensacola last week by several intruders caught on surveillance cameras. Seven men are jailed in the case on charges including murder.

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan told the CBS "Early Show" on Wednesday that investigators believe the group trained together for at least a month before the attack.

Morgan said investigators believe they know who shot the couple but he declined to give more details.

The couple had 17 children — four biological and 13 adopted. Nine children were at the home when the Billingses were killed.

[Halftrack]

Looks like their training wasn't quite enough.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=307189&src=110

Cops: Fla. slaying suspects didn't expect cameras
Associated Press
Published: 7/15/2009 3:07 PM

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The accomplice assigned to turn off surveillance cameras before an elaborate, deadly break-in at a sprawling Florida Panhandle home never showed up, but the seven people accused in the crime apparently did not know that, authorities said Wednesday.

Melanie and Byrd Billings, known for adopting a large brood of children with special needs, were shot to death about a week ago. An extensive surveillance system captured footage of masked men -- some dressed as ninjas -- slipping into front and back doors at the home and stealing a safe, among other items.

The men were in the nine-bedroom house for just four minutes and on the property for 10, Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said. Video captured during that time led investigators to a red van used as a getaway car and eventually to the suspects.

Morgan said investigators have been pondering "the huge gap" in what was otherwise a precise, methodical crime for which the suspects had trained 30 days. They were a loosely connected group of mostly day laborers who knew each other through a power washing business and an auto detailing operation.
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[falcn]

Wow those people didn't stand much of a chance. I wonder if they knew the victims and targeted them for a specific reason?

The murderers are disgusting human beings....

[mrjam2jab]

Originally Posted by falcn

Wow those people didn't stand much of a chance. I wonder if they knew the victims and targeted them for a specific reason?

Cant imagine bad guys would train a team for a month just for a random home intrusion...

[ungawa]

Morgan said investigators have been pondering "the huge gap" in what was otherwise a precise, methodical crime for which the suspects had trained 30 days. They were a loosely connected group of mostly day laborers who knew each other through a power washing business and an auto detailing operation.

WTF? How do you get so many crooks and murderers together by almost random chance at a power-washing business?

[Kenshin]

There must have been something really important that they wanted to steal or someone really must have wanted that poor couple out of their way. If these are runt of the mill criminals its kinda scary that they prepared in this manner. But this kinda story sets off all sorts of alarms for me.

Personally i hope they all spend the rest of their natural lives in a 8x8 box with a crapper.

[King 5.45]

Originally Posted by Kenshin

There must have been something really important that they wanted to steal or someone really must have wanted that poor couple out of their way. If these are runt of the mill criminals its kinda scary that they prepared in this manner. But this kinda story sets off all sorts of alarms for me.

Personally i hope they all spend the rest of their natural lives in a 8x8 box with a crapper.

NB: http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/contribute/#comment-4219

[Story]

Originally Posted by King 5.45

NB: http://eggcorns.lascribe.net/contribute/#comment-4219

Poor Buffy. She shouldn't have cut all those English classes.