7/25/11 Trial of Pamela Long Wiggins- UPDATE: Found Guilty

[pinkinablueworld]

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110724...ing-Monday?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Trial set to begin 7/25/2011 in Escambia County.

My sister is in the jury pool tomorrow. I hope they pick her!

 

[megamami]

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110725...de-case?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

"Prosecutors say she helped the mastermind of the crime, Leonard Patrick Gonzales Jr., by hiding a stolen safe in her backyard and transporting guns used in the robbery to Mississippi for hiding.

In his opening statements, State Attorney Bill Eddins described Long as a friend of Gonzales and said she was aware of the crime when she helped to conceal evidence.

"She clearly knew Gonzales had been arraigned for murder," Eddins said. "

This story goes on to say that PL was a little testy with the court officials since she had leg shackles on and they wouldn't give her a pen. Seems kind of strange that her husband (?) wouldn't make bail for her ...

 

[daisy7]

Testimony has began in the trial of Pamela Long.
She's the last person to face charges in connection with the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

(snip)

http://www.weartv.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wear_vid_16852.shtml

 

[daisy7]

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Pamela Long Wiggins went to court Monday in handcuffs, which were removed before jury selection. She was left in leg irons however. That was something she complained about to Judge Nick Geeker. Long’s trial is the last in the Billings murder case.

(snip)

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/pensacola/last-trial-in-billings-murder-under-way

 

[daisy7]

The prosecution has rested in the trial of Pamela Long, 49, who is charged as an accessory after the fact in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

Judge Nickolas Geeker listened to several motions from defense attorney Gene Mitchell after the prosecution finished its case. Geeker denied each motion.

The defense has not started its case. Mitchell asked for a 30-minute break. Court resumed about 2:30 p.m.

Fifteen people testified this morning in the case, including sheriff's deputies, a Drug Enforcement Agency intelligence analyst, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent and an ATF firearms examiner.

(snip)

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110726...ngses-case?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

 

[daisy7]

Jurors are listening to closing arguments this afternoon in the trial of Pamela Long, who is charged as an accessory after the fact in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

The prosecution and defense have rested. Long, 49, decided not to testify.

Judge Nickolas Geeker said he will hand the case over to the jury Wednesday morning to begin deliberations.

(snip)

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110726...ngses-case?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

 

[daisy7]

The jury is deliberating the fate of Pamela Long, the last defendant charged in connection with the 2009 shooting deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

The jury left the courtroom at 9:19 a.m. to start going over the case.

(snip)

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110727...iberations?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

 

[redfish]

Guilty!!! Good job ECSO and prosecuters!

 

[daisy7]

Jurors have convicted Pamela Long for being an accessory in the 2009 deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

Six jurors had deliberated about an hour today before reaching their decision that she helped hide a safe owned by the Billingses and took guns to Mississippi following the couple's death.

She faces 45 years in prison on the charges when she is sentenced Sept. 2.

(snip)

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110728...ng-guilty-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

 

[megamami]

I thought the part of the article below was interesting/strange

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110729...-finds-Long-guilty?odyssey=mod_sectionstories

"Long's family believes she was "railroaded on a trumped-up charge," said the Rev. Frank Macon, who spent this week in the courtroom with Long's family.

He said the family believes that the State Attorney's Office violated a use-immunity agreement Long had with prosecutors. He said the family thinks prosecutors improperly used statements Long made during their investigation of the murders against her during her trial.

"It's not sour grapes on the family's part, but they sincerely believe that she was at best a material witness and her rights have been abused in this, we believe," Macon said."

The article goes on to say that they did have a 'use-immunity' agreement with PL but since her husband/boyfriend, HL, told them incriminating info that she was also telling them, they could use his statements against her. But why was HL granted immunity and still hasn't been charged in his role in this crime? He went to MS with the guns with her and it was his friend that they brought the guns to...
Surely someone else has talked about his involvement besides himself???!!!
Is it just that he was smart enough to tell on himself first (with the immunity deal already in his pocket??)

Could he potentially be charged in the future?
It sounds so strange that there will be closure like this ...

 

[Curious Me]

Jurors have convicted Pamela Long for being an accessory in the 2009 deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.

Six jurors had deliberated about an hour today before reaching their decision that she helped hide a safe owned by the Billingses and took guns to Mississippi following the couple's death.

She faces 45 years in prison on the charges when she is sentenced Sept. 2.

(snip)

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110728...ng-guilty-?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Good news that she did not get away with her part in it.

 

[pinkinablueworld]

http://ricksblog.biz/pam-wiggins-daughter-hugh-wiggins-knew-everything/

Interesting article on Rick's blog. Although he can't verify this was actually written by PL's daughter, she does have a 16 year old daughter.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - An Albany woman, charged in connection with the murders of a Pensacola couple is serving 28 years in prison.

The judge sentenced Pamela Long Friday morning for helping the people who killed Byrd and Melanie Billings back in July of 2009.

Authorities say Long helped hide the safe stolen from the Billings' home and disposed of handguns used in the murder.

http://www.walb.com/story/15391875/albany-woman-sent-to-prison

 

[Gene]

Since she is now 49 years old a 28 year prison sentence is nearly a life sentence. However, how much of that 28 year sentence will she actually serve?

 

[OneLove]

Guess this puts to rest her delusions of grandeur. Anyone know what her life behind bars is like? Anyone know where her partner in crime who escaped justice is these days and what he is doing? I can't help but wonder if he has maintained communication with her or if he abandoned her.

 

[Rizzy]

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130704...o-hid-safe-guns-in-Billings-case-loses-appeal

Woman who hid safe, guns in Billings case loses appeal
Jul. 3, 2013 10:31 PM

Written by
Eric Heisig

*snip*

In her appeal, she argued that she should have been granted immunity in exchange for cooperation with the state. But the state argued the prosecution obtained its incriminating information against her from another source, Hugh Wiggins, her husband.

The higher court rejected the argument and issued its decision Monday.

 

[pinkinablueworld]

http://www.weartv.com/news/features...illings-murders-dies-59219.shtml#.Vb_vBrdUx-U

Pam Wiggins, 54, died July 24, 2015, while incarcerated for her involvement in the deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.