Families of Billy Chemirmir's victims give impact statements to convicted killer
DALLAS - Family members of the victims of accused serial killer Billy Chemirmir gave victim impact statements Friday and tried to make him understand the pain he caused.
Chemirmir is accused of killing 22 people in Dallas and Collin counties from 2016 to 2018.
The majority of Chemirmir’s alleged murders happened at senior living facilities, where prosecutors say he posed as a maintenance worker.
Chemirmir has been convicted in two of the murders: 81-year-old Lu Harris and 87-year-old Mary Brooks.
In both trials it took a jury less than an hour to convict Chemirmir and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
"This is my mother, look at her," said one of the relatives, while holding up a picture.
"You, cowardly, let the devil wrap his fingers around your hear," another relative said.
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For years, some family members believed their mothers died of natural causes.
"I was told she died peacefully in her sleep," one relative said.
But for many, the explanation did not add up.
"She was 83 when you killed her. Her doctor said she didn't understand, she had just had a physical," a relative added.
Many family members told Chemirmir that their mothers were healthy and vibrant before he murdered them to steal their jewelry.
"After Martha and Miriam's death, my mom kept telling me they did not seem ready to die. Well guess what, they were not ready to die," a relative said.
"Do you recognize this picture? This is my mom…The day after I took this picture, you murdered her," one of the relatives said. "This is not the first time we met Billy. Do you remember? Probably not. We shared an elevator at Tradition Prestonwood. I walked in, you were just standing there. Not a button was pushed. You avoided my attempt to make conversation to figure out what you were doing there. I reported you to management feeling very unnerved."
Family members said they are now focusing their attention on changing state laws to make senior living facilities safer.
"I can only imagine you lurking the halls thinking how foolish are these people not recording me, as I've trespassed 100 times," a relative added.
Through it all, Chemirmir only offered victims a blank stare.
"Ask for God’s forgiveness or otherwise, you will burn in hell forever," a relative said.
"I hope the last thing you will ever see is a pillow over your face like my mother saw," another relative said.
Dallas County prosecutors sought two lifetime sentences in prison, making it less likely one will be thrown out on appeal.
"Mr. Chemimir will die in the pen…that was my goal I stated it. I said we’re going to do this twice to accomplish it and here we are," Dallas County DA John Creuzot said.
The Dallas County DA said he will release the rest of the Chemirmir's murder cases.
Collin County prosecutors have not said what they plan to do with the alleged murders in their jurisdiction. They could pursue the death penalty.