by Jessica Taloney
Published: Thu, August 13, 2009 - 4:21 pm CST
Last Updated: Thu, August 13, 2009 - 4:56 pm CST
The children of Byrd and Melanie Billings are asking a judge to block the release of video and pictures captured by surveillance cameras in the couple's home the night they were murdered.The images, along with other evidence in the case, were expected to be made public as early as Friday.
In a motion filed Wednesday by the family's attorney, Ashley Markham and her husband, James, said the "images are extraordinarily graphic and include footage of the minor children."
Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot to death in their Beulah, Florida home July 9. Nine of the couple's children were home when police say seven men dressed as ninjas broke into the house, killed the couple and stole a safe.
Monday, the Florida State Attorney's Office will release new information in the case including transcripts of interviews with the suspects, but a judge has delayed the release of crime scene photographs.
Leonard Gonzalez, Jr, Leonard Gonzalez, Sr., Wayne Coldiron, Donnie Stallworth, Frederick Thornton, Gary Sumner and 16-year-old Rakeem Florence all pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of capital murder and one count of home invasion robbery.
The trials are scheduled to begin in October, but attorneys on both sides of the case say it will take much longer to prepare. State Attorney Bill Eddins says it will be at least a year before a jury hears the case.
Statements, Evidence Released In Billings Murder Case
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