Billingsley Pleads Guilty to Edmondson Avenue Attempted Murder

Thank you for reading Baltimore Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

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

Billingsley, 33, was charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, first- and second-degree rape, third-degree sex offense, home invasion, first-degree arson, firearm use in a felony violent crime, false imprisonment, possession of a deadly weapon with intent to injure and firearm possession with a felony conviction for the brutal assault on the 800 block of Edmondson Avenue.

Baltimore State’s 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 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.”

Billingsley and defense attorney Jason Rodriguez are expected to return to court Aug. 30 for Billingsley to plead guilty to the murder of tech CEO Pava LaPere, which occurred just three days after the incident in this case.

Billingsley was convicted of first-degree sex offense and was sentenced to 14 years in February 2015, but he was released in October 2022. Before the tragic incidents in September 2023, Billingsley had been compliant with parole, probation and sex offender registration requirements.

A bill to eliminate the diminution credits that allowed Billingsley to walk free earlier than his original sentence date was signed into law in May. The Pava Marie LaPere Act disallows diminution or “good time credits” for defendants convicted of first-degree rape or first-degree sexual offense.
Judge Robert K. Taylor, Jr. presided over the hearing Monday.