Comments on: Photos: Oprah Winfrey Show To Feature Billings Murder With Markham, Morgan

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:29:56 +0000

As I expected, finances came up during the show. No way do those kids get only $300/month SSI as Ashley claimed. Nor do I believe her claim that the family only got $1100 in donations. The trust that Oprah links to is one of three separate trust funds set up for these kids.
BTW, special needs kids who get SSI are eligible for a multitude of other services, including a state supplemental check per child per month, Medicaid, food stamps, & free lunch at school. If my tax dollars are already supporting the kids, why should I donate more? Let Ashley & family sell off some of their land or sell the businesses. That’s what the rest of us mere mortals would have to do.

By: TS

TS — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:47:22 +0000

I hope that Oprah gave them some money. I remember that she once gave a Porsche to a guy that lost like 100;lbs. I realize that she got a dealer to donate it I’m sure,’ However if she believes in this family she should donate some money to them as clearly she has much more then any of us do to donate.

By: Sammie

Sammie — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:36:50 +0000

What difference does it make how much they had “hidden” in a home safe. I have 10K “hidden” having found out after Katrina and Ivan that cash talks . And Sue, I don’t think anyone particularly cares if you’ll “be short on sympathy”… I hope Oprah DOES give an address to donate… I’ve seen those kids in action and I’ll personally donate to keep them together, loved, and healthy.

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:36:00 +0000

Air date is Wednesday, October 7th. No doubt Oprah will be very sympathetic to Ashley. Knowing her reputation and the reputation of Bud Billing’s businesses, I will be short on sympathy if there is mention of donating to a fund for the children. Anyone who feels compelled to give money to help a special needs child should consider donating instead to the ARC. That’s where you’ll find kids whose parents don’t have $164K hidden in a home safe.

By: daisydaisy

daisydaisy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:17:03 +0000

This family is going through a hard time right now financially, if you pay attention, Melanies will was not valid and everything has to be split 12 ways and anything with Buds 14 ways… so taking care of 9 children, all with some form of special need is not cheap, its not like a single mom who had 4 kids, these kids parents were murdered with them in the home, they are traumatized, you cant just up root them and they need all that space, at one time there were a lot more than that living there… Ashley & Blue are doing there best and are asking for a little help, its not easy believe me.. the money goes to the 9 children not Ashley & Blue, so its not like theyre trying to get “rich”.. the family is in a hard time, a very hard time, and I would like to thank the people who are supportive and ones that are able to help, and to those who want to run their mouths, put yourself in their shoes…

By: BrattGirl

BrattGirl — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:32:52 +0000

I think that is is great that Oprah is airing this story….. Everyone needs to know what kind of people the Billings were and how terrible these killers really are… Great job Sherriff Morgan…. Best Sherriff we have had in a while… Better than the last one… THATS FOR SURE !!!

By: A. Davis

A. Davis — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:52:16 +0000

How much money does this girl need I know single mom’s who raise 4 children on almost nothing. NOONE feels sorry for them. Maybe this girl needs to ask herself if she really wants to raise these kids and maybe they will have to move to a smaller home welcome to the real world sometimes people have to down grade.

By: Muffet

Muffet — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:34:17 +0000

One of the Byrd’s businesses was in Melonie’s name! The same money that came into the Billings household is still there and doesn’t need to be divided. The business was always in Melonie’s name. That means it’s not part of the estate. Furthermore, Melonie will get social security benefits and other social services for each one of those children. If it’s $1,500/month, that’s $13,500 a month coming in just from social security disability. She can’t raise 9 children on $162,000 per year? Ha!

By: Go Oprah!

Go Oprah! — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:21:10 +0000

Old Cherokee….no one called you a racist????? If anyone needs to get a life, then it probably should be everyone voicing their thoughts/opinions on any subject. JUDY C. MASEK …there were celebrities that supported McCain during the election, too…so did they have a hidden agenda??? People like/agree with whomever they choose and that is why this is the United States of America, home of the brave and land of the free! You guys and girls have a great night and God Bless!

By: Note

Note — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:55:47 +0000

CP, if you know about opinions, then you must also know about assumptions. I never said anything derogatory about Oprah, but I did commend Sheriff Morgan on a job well done. Nor did I mention that “something is bad, sorry, no good, or politically motivated.” I simply said I would not be watching. So what point did I miss?