Jason Billingsley sentenced to life in prison for murder of Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere
BALTIMORE -- Jason Billingsley, the man who killed young Baltimore tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to her murder on Friday.
"Acceptable justice may have been served today, but it will never fill the void and erase the grief or replace the impact that Pava would have had given the full life that she so deserved," said Frank LaPere, Pava LaPere's father.
LaPere was found beaten and strangled on the roof of her Mount Vernon apartment building in September 2023 after friends reported her missing. Investigators connected Billingsley to the murder through surveillance.
Billingsley was charged with first-degree murder.
"Justice has been served for Jason Billingsley's heinous crimes," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. "He should have never been released in the manner he was, and his victims paid the price when he decided to take advantage of that to further terrorize our city. It is my sincere hope that his admission and the court's rightful decision to put him away for life, multiple times over, will bring a small amount of peace to Pava LaPere's family, and to April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore."
Guilty of another violent attack
Billingsley pleaded guilty to the attack of a Baltimore couple, which included April Hurley, earlier this week, which prosecutors said occurred just five days before LaPere was killed. He received two additional life sentences for the violent assault in West Baltimore where he set the couple on fire.
"I will never be the same person," Hurley said. "The impact that this attack has had on my life has been nothing short of devastating. I now live in constant fear."
Billingsley will serve the life sentence concurrently.
"I do not suspect that he will be able to even see the twinkle of light until he's done 60 years, which would put him at 93 years of age," Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said.
Billingsley apologizes to LaPere's family
Billingsley addressed LaPere's family saying, "I hold myself accountable. I'm very remorseful. I sincerely, deeply apologize."
LaPere's father said he did not buy Billingsley's apology.
"I find it difficult to accept that statement knowing that this is not a one-time crime," Frank LaPere said. "I don't think this is a person who can understand remorse or really feels it."
Billingsley's prior convictions
Court records reveal that Billingsley is a convicted felon and registered sex offender who was released on parole in October 2022.
His criminal history includes a 2009 guilty plea to first-degree assault, for which he initially received two years of supervised probation. After violating probation terms, he was convicted of second-degree assault in 2011 and served a two-year prison sentence.
Shortly after his release, Billingsley was convicted of attempted rape. He received a 30-year sentence for that crime, but a plea deal suspended all but 14 years. Due to "good time credits," he was mandatorily released after serving only nine years.
The case raised questions about the criminal justice system and early release policies, leading to legislative change.
Pava LaPere's legacy
LaPere was a well-known champion for Baltimore who founded startup EcoMap Technologies and was named to Forbes' 30 under 30.
Since her murder, the Pava Marie LaPere Act was passed by the Maryland General Assembly. It prevents convicted sex offenders, like Billingsley, from receiving diminution or "good behavior" credits to get out of prison early.
"Diminution credits are good in certain respects, horrific in others," said Caroline LaPere, Pava LaPere's mother. "Unfortunately, we represent the horrific."
LaPere's family will continue to honor her through her company, the legislation passed in her name, and through countless ways she touched the community.