Lizzie Kaboski

CROWN POINT — Four family members of a 36-year-old man shot to death in 2021 shared their memories with the father, brother, son and nephew they now live without at the sentencing hearing Wednesday for the man who was convicted in his murder.

"It's just not fair. Just because somebody decided to take his life," Tammy Gibbs, mother of victim Anthony Gibbs, said in court. "Who is he to take my child's life?"

Barry Billingsley Jr., 45, of Merrillville, was sentenced to 82 years in prison: 63 years for murder and 18 years for a firearm enhancement in the death of Gibbs, of Highland, whom he shot Oct. 2, 2021, outside the Economy Inn, 8275 Louisiana St. in Merrillville, along with Gibbs' girlfriend and her dog who both survived. After years of delays and one mistrial , the c

See Full Page