Fla. couple who adopted 12 children found slain

[islandmonkey]

http://ricksblog.biz/

1)Tice arrest report
August 7 2009one Commented
Categorized Under: Escambia County, May 11 2009
On 5/22/08, Tice wrote twelve checks to Worldco that were returned non-sufficient funds. Total checks is $17,342.51. They were to pay for vehicles and services conducted through Worldco and Hispanic-American Auto Sales.

Billings had provided legal copies of the checks to the ECSO in 2008.

Read HENRY_TICE



2) Newsweek reports Tice investigated in Ala. too
August 7 2009No Commented
Categorized Under: Escambia County, May 11 2009
Newsweek has an online article on the Billings case. Senior Reporter Catharine Skipp spent nearly two weeks in the area working on the story. In it, she reports:

Another individual made similar allegations against Tice to police in Foley, Ala., home to another of his businesses. There, Det. Larry Dearing confirmed to NEWSWEEK that Tice is under investigation for allegedly smuggling 23 vehicles worth $61,000 to buyers in Mexico (though he has not been charged). The two acquaintances say Escambia County sheriff’s detectives recently informed Billings that they were making progress in their investigation. Perhaps Tice was “worried about [Billings] testifying” against him, speculates one. What’s certain, says the other, is that Tice “hates [Byrd] Billings with a passion.”

Read the article.

Popularity: 1% [?]

[Magnolia]

Did they let Tice bond out?
I feel certain he has moved all of his assets to South America.  It is said he has a wife there.
Even if they collected his pass port, I am sure he has a spare.  He'll be outa here!

[Fanny Mae]

The DEA is not interested in this case because of stolen cars and bad checks. Mexican Mafia or not, that is not why they were called in. JMO

[Fanny Mae]

Did they let Tice bond out?
I feel certain he has moved all of his assets to South America.  It is said he has a wife there.
Even if they collected his pass port, I am sure he has a spare.  He'll be outa here!

I haven't heard if he has been bonded out or not. Guessing that he has since his bond is so low. Maybe one of his Mexican Mafia friends coughed up the money. 

He wouldn't necesarily need a passport. Nothing to stop him from hoping on somebody's yatch and heading south.  Where's Pamela these days?

I guess his new wife is a rich woman if he has all his assets down in Columbia...or not. JMO

[cece]

Thanks Cece for the updates.......my laptop bit the dust this am, and I snuck one away from a co-worker for a bit

Oh, IM, I'm so sorry about your puter.  I hope you are back up & running soon.  I know what that is like!

[cece]

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/crime/Business_Associate_Arrested_For_Theft

Business associate
arrested for theft

Updated: Friday, 07 Aug 2009, 5:49 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 07 Aug 2009, 5:34 PM CDT

    * Christina Leavenworth
    * Liz Nelson
    * Photojournalist: Franz Barraza

PENSACOLA, Fla. - A former partner of Byrd Billings is now a person of interest in the Billings murder case. Sheriff David Morgan said authorities are questioning Henry "Cab" Tice, a former business associate of Billings. Authorities say Tice stole thousands from Billings.

"What we're doing, is going through any family member, associate, business associate, that Mr. Billings may have had. Anyone through those associations who may or may not have had anything to do with murder," Said Morgan.

Tice came on the radar when a theft investigation started around a year ago. He was arrested Thursday on a grand theft charge.

Investigators say he wrote Byrd Billings nearly $20,000 worth of bad checks. Deputies say Billings wasn't the only person Tice owed money to.

Sheriff Morgan said, "He was into the Mexican Mafia, his words not ours, for loans between $20,000 to $50,000. He was in the process of repaying them because of bad decisions he'd made through the car business, and again in association with Mr. Billings."

The sheriff said they don't believe Billings had any ties to the Mexican Mafia.

FOX10 News has also learned the Foley Police Department is also investigating Tice for the theft of 23 cars. Sources tell us Tice shipped those cars to Mexico.

Tice posted a $5,000 bond Thursday night on the Escambia County theft charge, but deputies are watching him to make sure he stays close.

"He's under travel restrictions; he's made frequent trips to Columbia and Mexico. We've directed him not to leave country again," Morgan said,

The Billings family issued this statement in response to the arrest:

"We are pleased that the investigation is continuing as to the May 2008 complaint filed by Bud Billings related to the theft of the cars. We have faith that Sheriff Morgan will be diligent in determining whether there is any connection between Cab Tice and the murders. At this point the family is watching the investigation unfold and learning of the new developments along with the rest of the public."

[cece]

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1175969.html

More severe charges sought in slaying of Florida Panhandle couple
By MELISSA NELSON
Associated Press

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Prosecutors said Friday they want to upgrade charges to capital murder for two more of the eight suspects in the deaths of a Panhandle couple known for adopting many children with special needs, and investigators questioned another man about the slayings and said there could be more arrests.

Police questioned Gulf Shores, Ala., car dealer and businessman Henry Cabell Tice, 61, after he turned himself in at the Escambia County Sheriff's Office on Thursday night, spokesman Ted Roy said.

Tice was arrested on a warrant for writing $17,341 in bad checks to Worldco Financial Services Inc., an auto financing company owned by Byrd and Melanie Billings, who were killed last month.

Tice posted $5,000 bond and was released Friday. Tice told investigators he had just returned from a business trip to Colombia and was in debt to members of the Mexican Mafia, Roy said.

Tice has not returned phone messages left by The Associated Press at his home.

Investigators have said security cameras from the Billings' home showed the men dressed in "ninja garb" - all black clothing and masks - and that they entered the home, shot and killed the couple and left within four minutes. Nine of the couple's 17 children were home and in other parts of the sprawling estate during the home-invasion. The couple had four biological and 13 adopted children.

Sheriff David Morgan said Thursday that Tice told investigators he had "father and son relationship" with Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr., the 35-year-old karate instructor investigators have described as the group's ringleader. Another of the eight suspects arrested in the killings has told investigators that it was Gonzalez who shot and killed the couple.

In court Friday, Frederick Lee Thornton, 19, and Gary Lamont Sumner, 30, made brief appearances as state Attorney Bill Eddins requested their arraignments be delayed one week so that he could take the case to a grand jury. Court proceedings for several other of the men arrested in the case were also delayed Thursday.

Eddins has said he will ask the grand jury to indict the group for capital murder, a move that could allow him to seek the death penalty. Seven men, including a 16-year-old who prosecutors have decided to charge as an adult, had faced second-degree murder charges. Eddins is now asking the grand jury to upgrade the charges.

Under Florida law, only a grand jury can indict a defendant for capital murder. If convicted, the penalty is either death or life in prison.

Also charged as an accomplice in the case is Pamela Long Wiggins, 47, an antique shop owner who had rented a home to Gonzalez. Investigators found a safe from the Billings' home in her backyard. Wiggins' attorney has pleaded not guilty on her behalf.

[cece]

Copy of arrest warrant:

http://ricksblog.biz/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/HENRY_TICE.pdf

[cece]

http://www.pnj.com/article/20090807/NEWS01/90807006&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Murder suspects in court

August 7, 2009


Two men accused of participating in the deadly July 9 home invasion at Byrd and Melanie Billings’ home appeared in court today.

Gary Lamont Sumner, 30, and Frederick Lee Thornton Jr., 19, were arrested on charges of murder in the daylight robbery that resulted in the shooting deaths of the Beulah couple.

State Attorney Bill Eddins asked the judge to postpone arraignments for the two men until after the grand jury meets Tuesday.

Both are scheduled for arraignment on Aug. 13 along with suspects Leonard Gonzalez Jr., 35, Leonard Gonzalez Sr., 56, Pamela Long Wiggins, 47, and Wayne Coldiron, 41.

Sumner — who owns a car-detailing business in Okaloosa County — was accused of driving a blue sport utility vehicle that transported men to the Billingses home.

[Magnolia]

In August 1999, Tice gave numerous checks written on his
AmSouth account totaling $174,000 to Dan Jaquish, whom Tice
described as his "best friend" and a frequent business
associate. Jaquish is also a wholesaler (and a retailer) of
used automobiles; he does business under the name "Auto
Outlet." The checks were drawn on Tice's business account at
AmSouth and were made payable to "Auto Outlet." According to
Tice, these checks were security for a loan Jaquish had made
to Tice and Jaquish was to hold the checks and cash them
later. Tice claimed that he and Jaquish then made other
payment arrangements for the alleged loan, and, he said, both
he and Jaquish agreed that Tice would stop payment on the
checks he had issued as security for the loan.

Two years after the stop payment Jaquish cashed the checks at an
AmSouth bank.  Tice won a judgement against AmSouth for $174,000
plus $290,000 for the mental anguish, but a higher court reversed the
decision on appeal.

[Fanny Mae]

In August 1999, Tice gave numerous checks written on his
AmSouth account totaling $174,000 to Dan Jaquish, whom Tice
described as his "best friend" and a frequent business
associate. Jaquish is also a wholesaler (and a retailer) of
used automobiles; he does business under the name "Auto
Outlet." The checks were drawn on Tice's business account at
AmSouth and were made payable to "Auto Outlet." According to
Tice, these checks were security for a loan Jaquish had made
to Tice and Jaquish was to hold the checks and cash them
later. Tice claimed that he and Jaquish then made other
payment arrangements for the alleged loan, and, he said, both
he and Jaquish agreed that Tice would stop payment on the
checks he had issued as security for the loan.

Two years after the stop payment Jaquish cashed the checks at an
AmSouth bank.  Tice won a judgement against AmSouth for $174,000
plus $290,000 for the mental anguish, but a higher court reversed the
decision on appeal.

It looks like a pattern, that has been going on for many years, doesn't it MAGNOLIA?

[Fanny Mae]

In August 1999, Tice gave numerous checks written on his
AmSouth account totaling $174,000 to Dan Jaquish, whom Tice
described as his "best friend" and a frequent business
associate. Jaquish is also a wholesaler (and a retailer) of
used automobiles; he does business under the name "Auto
Outlet." The checks were drawn on Tice's business account at
AmSouth and were made payable to "Auto Outlet." According to
Tice, these checks were security for a loan Jaquish had made
to Tice and Jaquish was to hold the checks and cash them
later. Tice claimed that he and Jaquish then made other
payment arrangements for the alleged loan, and, he said, both
he and Jaquish agreed that Tice would stop payment on the
checks he had issued as security for the loan.

Two years after the stop payment Jaquish cashed the checks at an
AmSouth bank.  Tice won a judgement against AmSouth for $174,000
plus $290,000 for the mental anguish, but a higher court reversed the
decision on appeal.

There was a local politician in Mobile by the name of Jockicsh that was in a bit of hot water at one time. Although his first name is not the same, I have often wondered if they were not somehow related and had changed the spelling of the name as some folks do with an odd name. Just a thought.

[cece]

[cece]

More Details On Tice Connection To Billings; Read Arrest Report

August 8, 2009

http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10001

(looks like just more of the same)

[Fanny Mae]

Thanks CECE,for all of your reports this morning. 

[cece]

Thanks CECE,for all of your reports this morning. 

Always my pleasure!  Hope you  & all monkeys are having a fabulous weekend.   

[cece]

Billings Theft Suspect Tice Had Previous Problems With Worthless Checks

August 9, 2009

http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10024

[cece]

http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10024


Dateline NBC interviews Cab Tice

August 8 20092 Commented

Categorized Under: Escambia County, May 11 2009

The Mobile NBC affiliate – WMPI 10 – has started running promo pieces for the Monday Dateline NBC show that will focus on the Billings murders (see). Dateline has an exclusive interview with Cab Tice. In the clip shown, Tice is choked up, nearly sheds a tear, when he talks about Bud and Melanie Billings.

Henry “Cab” Tice was arrested Thursday night for grand theft. The charge stems from his business dealings with Byrd Billings’ business Worldco Financial Services. Tice told ECSO about his connections with the Mexican mafia and how he had borrowed $50K from them. Tice is free on a $5K bond.

In a Newsweek article on the double homicide, an unnamed source said, “What’s certain is that Tice hates [Byrd] Billings with a passion.” What I have reported is that Cab Tice has been the prime target in an investigation to whether the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings were a contract hit. People questioned by investigators have told them that Tice was involved.

In the NBC 15 clip, Tice says “That anybody would say that I had anything to do with the murder of Bud or Melanie is a liar.”

The Dateline show runs 9 p.m. – Monday, August 10. It should be a humdinger.

[cece]

http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/story/Killer-Connection-to-Billings-Couple/hjYHIQND60Cpxp2T2GgIpg.cspx

Killer Connection to Billings Couple?

Last Update: 8/08 12:02 am

[cece]

Hope everyone is enjoying their day!