Former WWF wrestler Billy Jack Haynes has been ruled mentally unfit to stand trial in the m*rder case of his wife, Jan Becraft. The decision came from Judge Angela Lucero on Monday, May 13, according to multiple local news sources.
Haynes, whose real name is William Albert Haynes III, had been charged with second-degree m*rder and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the February 2024 shooting death of his 85-year-old wife. The incident occurred at their home in Portland, Oregon.
According to police reports, authorities responded to a call at 6000 SE 100th Avenue just before 10 AM. When officers arrived, Haynes was uncooperative, leading to a standoff that required a tactical team and crisis negotiators. After two hours, Haynes, 70, was taken into custody. The neighborhood was ordered to shelter in place during the standoff.
Jan Becraft was found dead in the home. The Medical Examiner later confirmed that she died from a gunshot wound. Haynes pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial had been scheduled for December 2024, but it has now been postponed indefinitely. Haynes has been ordered to undergo further evaluation at Oregon State Hospital. Legal proceedings will remain paused unless and until he is declared fit for trial.
Brilynn Matthieu, a neighbor who knew the couple personally, spoke to Portland’s FOX 12, saying, “It’s a tragedy all around. Finally, being able to process the severity of the proximity of how close we were in nature. It’s my dad and I live and help take care of them. Recently, I was just taking care of his wife who had ongoing dementia. I was pretty decently close to both of them and loved them very much.”
Haynes was once a major star in pro wrestling, known for his time in the WWF (now WWE) in the late 1980s, as well as stints in WCW (as the masked Black Blood), Florida, WCCW, Jim Crockett Promotions, New Japan, and the Portland territory.
He was trained by Stu Hart and spent time in Stampede Wrestling, often teaming with Bruce Hart. He had runs across many territories, including feuds in Florida and with the Von Erichs in Texas. In Jim Crockett Promotions, he teamed with Wahoo McDaniel in a feud against Ole and Arn Anderson. He left the promotion before a planned program with The Barbarian due to backstage issues.
Haynes’ most well-known national run came in the World Wrestling Federation from 1986 to 1988. He feuded with Hercules Hernandez, most notably at WrestleMania III in a match focused on the Full Nelson submission. He also challenged Randy Savage for the Intercontinental Championship at house shows.
His run ended reportedly after refusing to lose in his hometown and due to other backstage incidents. Greg Valentine later claimed that Haynes was fired after passing out on a flight due to alleged GHB use, which caused the flight to be diverted.
In later years, Haynes became more known for bizarre shoot interviews and conspiracy claims, including saying he trafficked c0caine during his WWF career and witnessed the “Boys on the Tracks” m-rders in Arkansas.
Haynes later launched his own promotion, the Oregon Wrestling Federation, and had a brief WCW run in 1991. His final active wrestling appearances came in the mid-1990s, including a short stint with USWA in 1995. He stopped wrestling full-time by 1996 and only appeared at conventions after that.
In 2014, Haynes filed one of the first CTE-related lawsuits against WWE, claiming he suffered from depression and dementia due to brain injuries. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2019.
At this time, there is no date set for resuming legal proceedings.
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