Alleged leader in couple deaths calm in interview

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- The alleged ringleader of group of men charged in the July home-invasion deaths of a Panhandle couple appears confident and relaxed in an lengthy videotaped interview with detectives.

The 70-minute interview with Leonard Gonzalez Jr. was recorded July 11 and released to the media by the State Attorney's office on Tuesday as part of public information request.

Gonzalez is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and faces the death penalty if convicted in the July 9 shooting deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings. The couple, known for adopting many young children with special needs, were killed by a group of masked intruders.

During the interview, Gonzalez told investigators that Billings had business ties to the Mexican Mafia and that he believed the couple were victims of gang-related hit.

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