A Multnomah County judge has locked in the murder trial of William Albert "Billy Jack" Haynes Jr. for April 26, 2027 through May 7, 2027, after the court ruled he is now fit to help in his own defense. Haynes, 72, is accused in the February 2024 killing of his wife, 85-year-old Janette Becraft.
Judge Angela Lucero set the dates on Friday after court filings stated Haynes had "gained fitness to proceed" following a certified evaluator's report and a February status hearing, according to KATU. The order gives prosecutors and defense attorneys a firm two-week window to line up jury selection, legal motions and witness testimony.
Competency Review And State Hospital Stay
Lucero had earlier ruled Haynes unfit to stand trial in May 2025 and ordered him sent to the Oregon State Hospital for evaluation and treatment, reporting by FOX 12 shows. At a February status hearing, the judge and mental health evaluators revisited those findings, and the court concluded his condition had improved enough for the criminal case to move ahead.
Arrest, Charges And Neighborhood
Portland police say officers were dispatched on Feb. 8, 2024 after reports of gunfire and found Janette Becraft dead at the scene. Haynes surrendered after a multi-hour standoff, according to AP. He was formally charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon on Feb. 28, 2024, per UPI. Local reporting placed the incident in the 6000 block of SE 100th Avenue in the Lents neighborhood, according to the Portland Mercury.
What’s Next
Lucero's order reserves a two-week trial slot starting April 26, 2027, but the case will only proceed if Haynes remains legally competent to stand trial; the court can revisit his competency at any time, a point noted in the filing covered by KATU. Expect the usual run of pretrial deadlines, evidence exchanges and any additional competency-related motions to surface on the Multnomah County docket as both sides gear up for the scheduled start date.
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