Monday, April 11, 2011

Dillard Sentenced To Life In Prison Without Parole For Daughter-In-Law's Murder:



Debra Y. Dillard (mug shot HCSO)


A woman from Moody who was convicted by a jury of murdering her daughter-in-law in November of 2009 has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A jury in Wright County convicted Debra Dillard of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for her part in gunning down Beck Lynne Dillard, 24, on Highway FF near Missouir 142 on November 13, 2009.

A passerby called 9-1-1 to report what they thought was a fatal car crash, but authorities were suspicious immediately because the wounds Becki suffered weren't from a car crash, but from two bullet wounds to the head.

Family members of the young mother told investigators that she left to buy makeup at Wal-Mart for her sister's birthday but she never made it to the party.

Investigators say Debra Yvonne Dillard, 53, told them that her boyfriend, Billy Joe Eastep, hated Becki and followed her down Highway FF and pulled her over.

Court documents say that Eastep began yelling at Dillard and as she turned to walk away from the confrontation he allegedly shot her in the back of the head.  Sheriff Mike Shannon says that after Becki fell to the ground, Eastep walked over to where she lay and shot her once more in the head.

Billy Joe Eastep (mug shot HCSO)
According to the probable cause statement, Debra Dillard sent signed confessions to several people implicating herself in her in Becki's murder.

Becki Dillard worked as a hairdresser at Wal-Mart in West Plains and had  two little boys, Cobey 4, and Kryckett who had just turned 1 at the time of their mother's murder.

Howell County assistant prosecutor Josh Corman said Justin Dillard told jurors during the week long trial that he and his mother were home watching a movie at the time of his wife's murder.

Corman says investigators have never found out what led to Becki's murder,  "The defendant confessed, then tried to retract her confession.  In a written statement she said now Becki can't hurt anyone anymore.  She's [Debra Dillard] probably the only one that can tell you why she did it," said Corman.

Eastep, 42, was also charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for Becki Dillard's murder, however that charge was amended to conspiracy to commit murder.  He entered an Alford plea (an Alford plea is where the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the state has enough evidence to secure a conviction) in March and was sentenced to ten years in prison.

6 comments:

  1. Why wasn't Debras little girl... I mean "son" ever charged as well.

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    1. He had no idea. He lied for his mother because he still believes she is innocent. He was a mommas boy and did not think his mother would ever do anything like that. Just was a crappy father, but he loved Becki and the kids. Can't blame him for the actions of his mother. If he knew anything about it, he would have been charged also. It's just like saying you killed someone, didn't tell your kid but told everyone else, should your kid go to jail, no

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    2. Becki's mom and dad got the kids. Thank God. I saw his interview and it just seemed off.

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  2. You should fix this article Krycket was a girl

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