Man on trial for ‘21 Merrillville hotel slaying
Barry 'Blu' Billingsley, 45, of Merrillville, is charged with murder, aggravated battery and a gun enhancement in the Oct. 2, 2021, shooting death of Anthony Gibbs, 36, of Highland. He has pleaded not guilty.
Deputy Prosecutor Maureen Koonce — with co-counsel Judy Massa — told jurors in opening statements Monday that it was a 'senseless killing' by Billingsley, who was 'quick to anger' and 'eager to kill.'
He fired four times, killing Gibbs with a shot to the face, Koonce said.
He was later arrested in a traffic stop with a distinctive jean jacket and a baseball cap with the character Animal from The Muppets. The video showed he had the gun in a pocket when he opened fire. The jean jacket had a hold in it and tested positive for gun residue, she said.
Defense lawyer Casey McCloskey — representing Billingsley with attorney Sonya Scott-Dix — declined to make an opening statement to jurors.
Police were called to the Economy Inn, 8275 Louisiana St., and found Gibbs 'unresponsive' around 6 p.m. on the sidewalk outside, shot in the face and leg, according to court documents.
His girlfriend was sitting on stairs nearby, shot in the foot, the affidavit states. Her pit bull was also wounded in the leg.
The case has been rescheduled or delayed several times with lawyers clashing in legal filings and various unsuccessful motions to throw out the case. Judge Gina Jones declared a mistrial in January after a lawyer had a medical emergency.
The trial continues this week.
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