Teen pleads no contest in Florida Panhandle couple’s death, could testify against 6 others

Teen pleads no contest in Fla. couple’s death

PENSACOLA, Fla. — A teenager charged in the home-invasion deaths of a Pensacola couple known for adopting children with special needs has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.

Seventeen-year-old Rakeem Florence, who faces life in prison, has agreed to testify against the other suspects. Florence was transferred to Santa Rosa County Jail after Wednesday’s plea. His attorney requested the transfer citing security reasons.

Florence and six other men were charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings. A woman has been charged as an accessory.

The suspects are accused of killing the couple in their home last summer while some of their nine young children with autism, Down syndrome and other special needs watched.

Information from: The Pensacola News Journal, www.pnj.com/