Billy Jack Haynes Set To Stand Trial In Wife’s Death After Being Ruled Fit To Face Charges

Billy Jack Haynes, a former wrestling star known for his time in multiple major promotions, is now set to stand trial in connection to the death of his wife after being ruled mentally fit to proceed in court. The latest development marks a major turn in a case that has been delayed for years.

According to KATU TV in Portland, the decision to move forward with the case came after Haynes was previously ruled mentally unfit to assist in his own defense in May 2025. That ruling paused legal proceedings while he underwent evaluation at Oregon State Hospital, a process originally expected to take between one and three years. Authorities have now determined he is fit to stand trial, allowing the case to move forward toward an April 2027 trial date.

Haynes, was charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon following the February 2024 death of his wife, Janette Becraft. Authorities were called to a residence in Portland after receiving reports of a shooting around 9:52 a.m. local time. When officers arrived, the situation escalated into a tense standoff that lasted roughly two hours before Haynes was taken into custody.

During that incident, neighbors were ordered to shelter in place while tactical teams and crisis negotiators worked to bring the situation under control. After Haynes was detained, authorities confirmed that Becraft, 85, had been found dead inside the home. The medical examiner later ruled her death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound.

A neighbor with ties to the family spoke publicly about the situation and the emotional toll it caused on those nearby. The comments reflected the shock felt throughout the community after the tragedy unfolded.

“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 is also facing a civil lawsuit filed by the estate of his late wife. That lawsuit alleges years of abuse, including claims that he coerced her into isolating from family members, forced financial changes to her estate, and influenced her medical care decisions. The suit also claims he pressured her into purchasing a firearm because he was legally prohibited from buying one himself due to a prior criminal record.

Long before the legal trouble, Haynes was widely known in wrestling circles, particularly in the Pacific Northwest territory, where he built a reputation as a tough competitor known for using the full nelson as his signature move. He later appeared in several national promotions, including WWE in the late 1980s, where he feuded with Hercules Hernandez over their respective finishing holds.

While his wrestling career once brought him national attention, the upcoming trial now places him back in headlines for far different reasons. With the court determining that he is mentally fit to stand trial, the legal process is expected to move forward after years of delays.

As this case moves closer to trial, many questions remain about what will come out in court and how the proceedings will unfold once testimony begins.

What do you think about this case finally moving forward after such a long delay, and do you believe the full story will come out once the trial begins? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below.