Baltimore, Maryland – Two individuals who were the victims of a violent attack in September are taking legal action against the suspect, Jason Billingsley, as well as the companies that employed him. Billingsley, 32, is accused of first-degree murder in the death of Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere and faces additional charges related to the attack on April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore.
According to charging documents, Billingsley worked as a maintenance worker in Hurley’s apartment building before carrying out the violent assault. He allegedly strangled, sexually assaulted, and set fire to Hurley and Gilmore, who managed to escape through a window. The victims have since filed a lawsuit claiming that the companies that employed Billingsley share responsibility for the incident due to negligence in hiring and supervision.
The lawsuit alleges that Property Pals LLC and Eden’s Homes, the building owner and property management company, respectively, failed to conduct adequate background checks on Billingsley, who had a history of violent offenses. Hurley’s attorney Malcolm Ruff emphasized the severe impact of the assault on his client, both physically and emotionally.
Billingsley, who was previously convicted of a first-degree sex offense, was released from prison in 2022 after earning diminution credits. Legislation to ban such credits for certain sex crimes, including the one committed by Billingsley, was introduced by state lawmakers but did not progress during the recent session.
Criticism has been directed at the Baltimore Police for their handling of the case, particularly regarding the delay in informing the public about the attack on Hurley and Gilmore. Police Commissioner Richard Worley faced backlash for comments made during the investigation, which were later deemed as victim-blaming and prompted an apology.
Despite the close proximity of the two incidents, the handling of LaPere’s case, who lived in a different neighborhood, has raised questions about racial disparities in the response to crimes. Attorneys involved in the civil case anticipate further revelations as the legal process unfolds, shedding light on the connections between the different events.