Live Blog from the anchor desk 7/15/09
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg]
Tonight we’re following the latest in the double-murder of Melanie and Byrd Billings, a Florida couple known in their community for adopting special-needs children. The Billings were shot to death in their nine-bedroom home last week. The investigation has been heating up.
Want to know what else we're covering tonight? Read EVENING BUZZ
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
And take a look at our live web camera from the 360° studio. Watch the WEBCAM
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
Mike, Syracuse, NY, Somebody who had intimate details of the Billings' home, their safe, and their finances must have informed these criminals.
and there may be 2 more????????? what gives??
What possess people to do this??? and thank Anderson for asking our questions????????
Hey there everybody and good evening Anderson
OK, now I can hardly wait to hear what the other motives. From the beginning David Morgan has led us to believe there is a LOT more to this than we can imagine, at this point. I like David Morgan–cool, calm, articulate, on point, well-spoken....
@Casey Jones Palm Springs CA, yes i am wondering the same thing. and yet, was there a lot of money? the house looks palatial. too many question marks in this case.
It hard to watch this unfold about the terrible killings in Florida. It is so sad.
Nice word from Sheiff!!! I like what he said to Anderson! Thank you David Morgan! 🙂
Thank God we live in a tech age where cameras and video record everything and you will get caught if you are doing bad things.
It also protects us from the bad people...they don't want to get caught so they stay away.
Did the Billings family know any of the suspects?
@Penny, I think they had the alarm system for to track the children. since some were of special needs, and since children always wander off, they used the alarm system to make sure they knew where the children were. It's like a super expensive baby monitor.
Thank God those security cameras were not turned off
@ David, Indiana
So much evil and insanity makes me indignant.
Why do people go mad and lose all sense of value that life have?
Life is so good!
I'm impressed 360 got this live interview with David Morgan. Congratulations.
It is so difficult to accept and understand when bad things happen to good people and the Billings seemed to be two of the best.
@Casey, that's what I was thinking. How much cash and jewlery did they expect to find to make it worthwhile for 8 people to split?
Why did these people have such a big house and elaborate alarm system? Were they wealthy?
Is it possible at all that they had drugs in the house or some other illegal activity?
Why would these criminals know to attack them? Just asking.
yes, lots of questions. there are a lot of potential theories – some make sense and some don't. i guess as facts do or do not reveal themselves, some of the theories will either prove or disprove themselves. but it doesn't really make sense.
@Casey, there are some truly stupid people out in the world....I'm not surprised.
Evening Anderson, Randi, Isabel. I find the murder of this couple in Florida incomprehensible. What was the reason for this? Money?
@Casey, I completely agree...however sadly money is what makes the world go round...or at least a lot of people think that! I think its a little ridiculous that people are willing to kill for any amount of money. I've always believed that no amount of money is worth a person's life.
Good evening Anderson. The more this story in Florida unfolds the more bizarre it's becoming...
This case makes no sense. It sounds so terribly calculated. Buy why? Who could possibly have anything against these people. If they had to steal, steal. Why kill the parents? It sounds a bit Helter Skelterish. None of this makes sense. How much did they think they could get away with? The family consisted of 16 children, many with special needs. Unless I missed something after diapers, groceries, power, and water (to name only a few of the bills) there's not a lot left over.
Hi, Anderson and friends. There is a special place in hell for the murderers of this giving couple. The death penalty isn't cruel or unusual if it is equal to or less than what was done to the victims.
Cute kids. This story makes me sick, to think that people would do something like this to 16 kids
Anderson,
Hi! It's great to see you on tonight.
It's hard to believe so many arrests for one horrible, senseless crime–especially when the original motive has been said to be robbery.
Good evening. Another arrest in the Florida killings? How many more people were involved in this? My heart breaks for the children.
The Pepsi commercial released today really is difficult to watch. I can remember when the original video clips were released after the accident. In those clips, you do not realize just how bad it really was. No wonder Michael Jackson suffered so much pain.
Good Evening Anderson!!! and all bloggers!
Can't believe the turns the story continues to take! this has to be the sickest story! As a nurse I just cant believe why they would wanna kill them if you wanna rob them fine but to take them from their children and dev. challenged children that is just sicko!!!!!!! The world we live in is falling a part! Thank God the daughter is taking over! Gode lover her!!! Where have we gone wrong raising young????
Hello Bloggers: What's sad about the Billings murders is that it took all of 10 minutes to break in, get the safe, and kill two innocent people.
Bless Ashley for keeping those kids together and keeping them happy and healthy! What a big undertaking...I can't imagine how she is getting through all of this!
Hey AC just wanted to say rip michael we miss u so much god bless u and your children and family
How much money would you have to steal in order to make it worthwhile for 7-8 people? Money doesn't seem like a plausible motive, honestly. It just sounds stupid.
Kathy, Chicago
I think they have steal their money, jewels or something really bad things to do murder couple. They break-in the house.
Hello Everybody!
"People in Hell want ice water' -doesn't that ring true....
I'm tired of these con artists/evil people who will flat face lie to you....Madoff, my boss, these killers...etc.
We have to get rid of these people from our society permanently and then we can trust people for what they say (face value) again.
Hi all.
This story is getting stranger by the day!
"People in hell want ice water..." I need to write that one down.
Good evening all!
What a bizarre story.
Oh my gosh!!!!!! I am really shocked police arrested Pamela L to murder the Billings! I am really furious at 8 people murdered the couple!
@Kathy, the police say that there are multiple motives but they think that the main motive was robbery.
this story gets more disturbing as it unfolds..... :/
@Kathy, I think they are mostly saying money...sadly isn't it always about money?
I want to see a picture of the juvenile suspect. If a person (kid or whatever) is capable of committing murder, then I want his/her picture to be public. AND, I want to know who the parents are...
Good evening Anderson and all! Hope everyone had a great Wednesday!
I really hope that they get to the bottom of this horrible act of violence against this poor couple! Their kids definitely deserve to see justice brought for their parents.
Hi AC! I keep missing why they were killed. Does anyone know?
Hi Anderson, 360 team, and all bloggers. The murder of this couple, leaving those kids without parents, is beyond horrible. No matter how you feel about the death penalty, you have to agree that this crime is what it's for.
Hey sweet peeps! 😛
Hopefully your Wednesday was awesome. 🙂
Helloooo Anderson, Randi Kaye, Ed Henry, David Gergen and my friends Twitter/Facebook Bloggers!!!!!
This afternoon, I turned on my tv and watch Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, They found interest of person, not arrest yet. My heart goes to their daughter and 16 children, My thought and prayers with Billings's families. 🙁
Evening Anderson!
Evening David (Indiana) and friends!
What a day! At least here ...
Evening Anderson and everyone. Two more days until Friday!