Commentary: Special Circumstances and An Utter Failure

 Because Maryland does not have capital punishment and the crimes were particularly heinous in nature, “Maryland v. Billingsley” could have easily been upgraded to a federal case. Stalking and murder is one matter. Aggravated rape as well as aggravated attempted murder via arson and aggravated battery via arson are quite another, especially when combined with aggravated stalking and aggravated murder. 

Also, at least CEO LaPere is hopefully at peace. Jason Billingsley’s other female victim, by contrast, has to relive every day what she endured; and while his male victim also suffered, he wasn’t raped. 

Maryland failed three families either way.