Man convicted of killing Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere sentenced to life in prison

Jason Billingsley, a Baltimore man, was sentenced to three life sentences after pleading guilty to the 2023 murder of tech entrepreneur Pava LaPere. Billingsley had been released early from prison after a sexual assault conviction before committing the murder. He also raped another woman, attempted to kill her and her male friend, and set fire to an apartment. The crimes led to changes in state law. Billingsley pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to three life sentences, two of which are back-to-back. LaPere, CEO and co-founder of EcoMap Technologies, had been named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30.” Her family and the victim of the attempted murder spoke at a news conference, expressing the impact the crimes had on their lives. Billingsley had previously been released early from prison for first-degree sexual assault in 2013 – a sentence of 30 years with 14 years suspended. He was released five years early in 2022 through “diminution credits” for good behavior. Maryland passed the Pava Marie LaPere Act, eliminating diminution credits for those convicted of first-degree sex offenses. Billingsley was sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences for the murder and two concurrent life sentences for the attempted murders. He also has parole violations. LaPere’s family called for similar laws in other states to prevent first-degree sex offenders from receiving diminution credits.

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