Man accused of killing Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere pleads guilty to attack of Baltimore couple

BALTIMORE -- Jason Billingsley, the man accused of murdering tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere, pleaded guilty to brutally attacking a Baltimore couple last year.

Jason Dean Billingsley, 33, made the plea on the opening day of his trial in Baltimore, as he faced counts of attempted first and second-degree murder. 

In September of last year, Billingsley was accused of holding April Hurley and Jonte Gilmore captive in the basement of a West Baltimore home. In addition, Billingsley is accused of sexually abusing Hurley, slitting her throat, dousing Gilmore and Hurley in gasoline, and lighting them both on fire.

That assault occurred just five days before the murder of Pava LaPere, who was found dead at her Mount Vernon apartment building. 

Billingsley is set to return to court on Friday to be tried for LaPere's murder. 

Attorneys William 'Billy' Murphy, Andrew O'Connell, Malcolm Ruff, Phylecia Faubias released a statement, saying in part, "We are relieved that Jason Billingsley pleaded guilty today and will spend the rest of his natural life in prison. Our client, April Hurley, is now one step closer to justice for the brutal attack in which she was raped, tortured, set on fire, had her throat slashed, and was left to die—a horrific assault that has forever changed her life."

LaPeres family also released a statement ahead of Friday's court proceeding 

"It has been 339 days since our daughter and sister, Pava Marie LaPere, was murdered.  Each one of those days has been extremely painful and difficult to endure.Pava's death has deeply impacted our family, her friends, EcoMap Technologies, The Johns Hopkins University, the City of Baltimore, and the State of Maryland where she was making a significant impact to improve lives and communities.  Justice may be served, but it will never fill the void, erase the grief, or replace the impact Pava would have had if given the full life that she deserved.We will share more of our thoughts on Friday, August 30, when we return to Baltimore for the next court proceeding."