Former WWE star William ‘Billy Jack’ Haynes will face trial next month on charges connected to the death of his wife earlier this year.
Haynes will stand trial on April 11, on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. These charges are in relation to the death of his wife Janette Becraft, 85, who died in Portland, Oregon, several weeks ago.
Billy Jack Haynes Arrest
Haynes was arrested in February 2024 after the authorities were called following gunfire being heard by neighbors. A tense standoff with officers ended as Haynes “eventually came out” of his home and was detained.
Authorities who searched his home later confirmed that the body in his home was that of Becraft. In a statement, Portland PD said that Haynes was taken to a local hospital under police custody after the arrest for a medical condition unrelated to the homicide. He was officially charged with second degree murder last week.
Billy Jack Haynes in Wrestling
Trained by the legendary Stu Hart, Haynes broke into the wrestling business in the 80s and joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1986. Haynes feuded with Randy Savage over the Intercontinental Championship and later with Hercules Hernandez over who was stronger. Haynes and Hernandez fought in the ‘Battle of the Full Nelsons’ at WrestleMania 3, as both men used this move as a signature hold.
Haynes left the WWF in early 1988 under some controversy. In one version of his exit, Haynes quit the WWF after refusing to do a job in his hometown of Portland. Another telling of his exit said that he wrestled the match and the finish and was fired afterward.
