Baltimore, Maryland – Two individuals who survived a vicious attack allegedly carried out by Jason Billingsley in September have taken legal action against him and the companies that employed him as a building maintenance worker.
Billingsley, 32, is facing charges of first-degree murder in connection to the death of Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere. Additionally, he is charged with attempted murder, rape, and arson for the assault on April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore, which occurred days prior to LaPere’s tragic demise at her Mount Vernon apartment building.
According to court documents, Billingsley, who presented himself as a maintenance worker at Hurley’s Upton apartment building, violently assaulted both women, leaving Hurley with a lasting scar on her throat. The survivors managed to escape the basement apartment through a window after being strangled, sexually assaulted, and set on fire.
Hurley expressed gratitude for surviving the traumatic event, attributing her survival to a miracle. She condemned the actions of Billingsley and placed responsibility on her former landlord and property manager for hiring him, insisting that the attacks could have been prevented.
In their legal complaint, Hurley and Gilmore allege that Property Pals LLC, the building’s owner, and Eden’s Homes, the property management company, bear responsibility for Billingsley’s actions due to employment ties. The complaint points to negligence in hiring, supervising, and overlooking Billingsley’s criminal history.
Attorneys representing Hurley emphasized the impact of the attack on her well-being and ability to work, painting a picture of a brutal home invasion that resulted in physical and emotional trauma. The lawsuit highlights the need for employers to conduct thorough background checks, despite laws aimed at providing opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals.
Billingsley’s criminal record includes a conviction for a first-degree sex offense in 2013, raising questions about oversight and decision-making in his hiring process. The introduction of legislation to limit early release credits for certain sex offenders following the incident underscores the need for accountability and reform in the criminal justice system.
Criticism directed at Baltimore Police for delays in notifying the public about the attempted murder underscores broader concerns about public safety and victim protection. While the police department is not implicated in the lawsuit, questions about the handling of the case and potential racial considerations loom large.
As the legal proceedings progress, more information is expected to come to light, shedding light on the motivations behind the attacks and the systemic issues that allowed such a tragedy to occur. The intertwined narratives of survival, justice, and accountability form the backdrop for a story that challenges assumptions about safety, responsibility, and the limits of the law.