Jan 9, 2008 4:50 pm US/Central
Twice-Convicted Killer Arrested For Dallas Murder
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Police in Dallas believe that a man twice convicted of murder may have killed again.
Darrell Billingslea was recently paroled for two murders in 1989 and 1990. Shortly afterwards, he began correspondence with Jessica Lewalling, a northeast Dallas apartment resident. They had been in touch with each other for several months, according to police.
However, Lewalling is now dead, and Billingslea is the prime suspect in the murder.
Lewalling and her boyfriend, Demetrius Cooksey, were doing a favor for the ex-con, giving him a place to stay on Tuesday night.
According to authorities, Billingslea suddenly attacked Cooksey without warning before turning a knife on Lewalling. Cooksey survived the attack. Lewalling died in her apartment.
Cooksey said that he was stunned when the twice convicted killer started slashing and punching him from behind. He recalled, "I was like, 'Man, what's going on? What's wrong with you, man?'"
Cooksey then continued, "[Lewalling] started yelling, telling him to stop. He didn't say nothing at all. It happened so fast. I don't know what I was thinking. I was thinking, just go get some help. I ain't have no weapons or nothing."
Dallas officers arrested Billingslea without incident on Wednesday afternoon.
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