Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore woman is taking legal action against Jason Billingsley, the man accused of assaulting her and later murdering tech CEO Pava LaPere, along with the property company that hired him. April Hurley survived a horrific attack in her West Baltimore home, where she was bound, sexually assaulted, had her throat slashed, and set on fire alongside another individual. Both victims were rescued by neighbors, saving their lives.
The following day, an arrest warrant was issued for Jason Billingsley, who had allegedly attacked Hurley and another man in the home before ultimately torturing them. Six days later, Pava LaPere, the CEO of EcoMap, was found beaten to death in her Mount Vernon apartment building. Police identified Billingsley as a suspect in the high-profile killing, leading to his capture after a dayslong manhunt in Bowie.
Hurley is now suing Billingsley, along with the property management company Eden’s Homes and the home’s owner, Property Pals, seeking compensatory damages. Renowned civil rights attorney William “Billy” Murphy Jr. is representing Hurley in the lawsuit, citing negligent hiring, premises liability, and breach of lease on the part of the companies. Hurley spoke emotionally at a press conference, condemning the companies for their role in the tragic events.
Billingsley, a convicted felon and registered sex offender, was released on parole in 2022 after serving time for sexual assault. Despite his criminal history, he was hired as a maintenance worker without a thorough background check, enabling him to gain access to Hurley’s apartment by posing as maintenance. The lawsuit asserts that the companies overlooked crucial details in hiring Billingsley, leading to the harrowing ordeal endured by Hurley and the subsequent murder of LaPere.
The lawsuit highlights the need for stricter regulations regarding the hiring of individuals with violent criminal histories, such as Billingsley. Hurley’s attorneys emphasize the importance of conducting thorough background checks and screening processes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The lack of scrutiny in hiring practices ultimately allowed Billingsley to commit heinous acts and claim the life of an innocent victim.
In the aftermath of these incidents, questions have arisen about the police response and handling of the cases. Hurley’s attorney raised concerns about the delayed public alert regarding the initial assault and the subsequent murder, questioning the disparity in treatment between the two incidents. Authorities defended their actions, stating that the nature of the crimes did not initially warrant a public alert, a decision that has since been scrutinized in light of the tragic outcome for LaPere.
Moving forward, the lawsuit serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of negligence in hiring practices and the need for accountability in preventing similar incidents. Hurley’s pursuit of justice underscores the importance of holding individuals and companies accountable for their role in enabling violent offenders to perpetrate further harm in society. The legal battle ahead sheds light on the pressing need for reforms in screening processes and the hiring of individuals with criminal backgrounds to safeguard the community from such devastating events.