ason Billingsley, was released early from prison in October 2022, having served just seven years of a 30-year sentence for a violent sexual assault in 2013
The family of a murdered Baltimore tech CEO, whose alleged killer was out of jail early on "good time" credits, is pushing for change to the Maryland state law that allowed his release.
Pava LaPere's father stood alongside Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates Monday to announce new legislation named in her honor, nearly four months on from her death.
The new rules would prevent those serving time for first-degree sexual offenses from receiving "good time" credits.
"It means to me that no other family and no other father has to go through the loss that we have experienced," LaPere's father Frank said at a news conference Monday.
LaPere's alleged killer was out of prison early
The 26-year-old was killed in her apartment building on Sept. 22 2023, shortly after letting a man inside. She was found on the building's roof three days later, partially clothed and having suffered blunt force trauma to the face, head and body.
The suspect in the slaying, Jason Billingsley, was released early from prison in October 2022, having served seven years of a 30-year sentence for a violent sexual assault in 2013.
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He is accused of then targeting a couple in Baltimore on Sept. 19, with charges including attempted murder, arson and rape, before LaPere's killing a few days later.
"It is apparent that our current system is deeply flawed when an individual with a criminal record that shows their propensity to threaten public safety can be released from prison early," State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates said in a press release.
"While my office continues to do everything in our power to deliver justice on behalf of Ms. Pava Marie LaPere, it is paramount that we take this extra step to prevent such an atrocity from ever happening again in the State of Maryland."
Frank LaPere told reporters that his daughter was not Billingsley's only victim, but her grieving mother and brother were also victims.
"No sibling should use his most trusted confidant and best friend in the primes of their lives" LaPere added, becoming emotional. "And a father should kiss his daughter goodnight and not try to cry himself to sleep through avoidable grief."
LaPere added that Billingsley had already violated his parole and was still on the streets when he allegedly killed his daughter.
What do Maryland's current "good time" credit rules say?
Right now, only those serving sentences for first or second-degree rape, a first or second-degree sexual offense against a victim under the age of 16, or a subsequent conviction of a third-degree sexual offense against a victim under the age of 16 are exempt from receiving "good time" credits.
Inmates imprisoned for a lifetime sexual offender supervision violation also cannot receive credits.
Bates said that despite that, Billingsley "fell through the cracks," allowing him to go on to commit more violent acts.
The Pava Marie LaPere Act would add those convicted of a first-degree sexual offense, regardless of the victim's age, to the list of exemptions.
“It’s clear that in certain instances, our diminution credit system is not working as intended and needs to be amended,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott added in the press release.
“Although these credits are important for allowing and incentivizing the equitable rehabilitation of inmates serving time for lesser offenses, they should not be facilitating mandatory early release for anyone serving time for heinous crimes like rape and murder.
"We must do better by both our communities that are impacted by these systems and those people who are incarcerated who live it each day.”
The hope is that the bill will be passed by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session. Delegate Elizabeth Embry is supporting the legislation and told reporters that between 10 and 15 convicts would be impacted by the new rules each year.
Billingsley is next due to appear in court on March 4 in relation to LaPere's murder and the attack on Sept. 19 2023.