Baltimore, Maryland – Two individuals who survived a brutal September attack allegedly orchestrated by Jason Billingsley have taken legal action against him and the companies that employed him as a building maintenance worker. Billingsley, 32, faces serious charges, including first-degree murder in the killing of Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere, as well as attempted murder, rape, and arson in the attack against April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore in late September.
According to charging documents, Billingsley had been working at Hurley’s apartment building, where he posed as a maintenance worker before launching the violent assault. He reportedly strangled Hurley, sexually assaulted her, slashed her throat, and then set both her and Gilmore on fire in the basement apartment. Fortunately, the victims managed to escape through a window.
Hurley shared her harrowing experience at a press conference, recounting how Billingsley attempted to take her life and expressing frustration that the tragedy could have been prevented if proper measures were in place to prevent his hiring by the companies. The lawsuit filed by Hurley and Gilmore alleges that the building’s owner and property management company bear responsibility for Billingsley’s actions due to their negligence in hiring and supervising him without considering his criminal history.
Attorneys representing Hurley emphasized the lasting impact of the assault on her ability to work and family life, pointing out the physical scars she still bears from the attack. They detailed the chilling sequence of events during the attack, including Billingsley’s use of violence and fire to torment the victims.
The legal representatives also highlighted the need for employers to conduct thorough background checks, emphasizing that laws intended to provide employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals should not preclude comprehensive vetting procedures. Billingsley’s criminal background, which includes a past conviction for a first-degree sex offense in 2013, raises questions about the effectiveness of parole laws and the importance of ensuring public safety.
The lawsuit sheds light on the failure of law enforcement to promptly warn the public about the attempted murder of Hurley and Gilmore, initially classified as an arson. The implications of delayed information sharing in such cases underscore the need for transparency and proactive communication to prevent further tragedies.
As the case unfolds in civil court, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the motivations behind the attacks and the systemic failures that allowed such violence to occur. The parallels drawn between the treatment of different victims based on race and location highlight broader societal issues that must be addressed to ensure justice and protection for all individuals.