FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
December 9, 2011
For More Information, contact:
Luther
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 2
Strange
Alabama Attorney
General
AG ANNOUNCES CONVICTION OF DALLAS COUNTY WOMAN
FOR CONSPIRACY, SOLICITATION TO MURDER, FORGERIES
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange today announced the
conviction of a Dallas County woman for conspiracy and solicitation to murder, and
forgeries related to life insurance fraud. Marie Billingsley, 59, was found guilty
yesterday by a jury in Dallas County Circuit Court of one count of criminal conspiracy
to commit murder, one count of criminal solicitation to commit murder, and three
counts of second-degree forgery.
The Attorney General’s Office presented evidence in a two-day trial that began
on Wednesday about Billingsley’s scheme to murder a woman and collect $800,000 of
life insurance. She was convicted for conspiring with her son to commit the murder. A
charge for conspiracy is pending against Jerry Billingsley, also of Dallas County, but no
trial date is set. Marie Billingsley also solicited a third person to assist in the murder.
The person solicited instead informed authorities of the murder plot. Although the
third person did not know the victim’s name, special agents of the Attorney General’s
Office worked to locate and identify the victim, thus preventing the murder. Using this
limited information the agents further discovered Billingsley’s forgeries of multiple
insurance policies.
“I am pleased that the jury found this defendant guilty and that she has been
brought to justice and will be punished for these terrible crimes,” said Attorney General
Strange. “I am especially proud of the outstanding work of our special agents, whose
diligence and skill uncovered this plot and saved a woman’s life.”
A sentencing date is not yet set. Upon her conviction Billingsley was
immediately taken into custody and incarcerated in the Dallas County Jail. She faces
potential penalties of 10 years to life imprisonment for each conviction of conspiracy
and solicitation, which are class A felonies; and one year and one day to 10 years
imprisonment for each of the three convictions for second-degree forgery, which are
class C felonies.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorneys General Andrew
Arrington and John Hensley of his Violent Crimes Division and special agents of his
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov Page 2 of 2
Investigations Division. He also thanked the Mobile office of the U.S. Alcohol Tobacco
and Firearms Bureau and the 4th Circuit Drug Task Force in Marion.
