An Orlando man accused of two homicides on the same street will remain behind bars after an Orange County judge denied him bond Thursday.

Additional charges are pending against 37-year-old Jimmy Merritt.

Investigators found two separate crime scenes in the 3000 block of Lauressa Lane in Orlando.

Homicide detectives were called to one of the homes last Friday by firefighters, where they found a man lying in a recliner who had been shot dead. Orlando Police investigators think Merritt killed Benny Hallmark before stealing and using the 64-year-old man's checks.


Orlando Police say Benny Hallmark (above) was shot dead by Jimmy Merritt, who investigators say tried to cash some of Hallmark's checks.

While investigating that case, homicide detectives found a separate, badly decomposed body wrapped in plastic and blankets under a pile of items in the garage across the street from the first home Tuesday.

Orlando Police identified that person as 60-year-old Billy Wayne Deaton.

Hallmark’s brother says he has to forgive the shooter.


"I just hope to God he finds peace, because he’s going to need it. He might see a judge here, but he is going to see the almighty Judge sooner or later," Larry Vaughan, brother of Benny Hallmark, said about Jimmy Merritt, who's charged in Hallmark's killing. (Spectrum News 13)

Vaughan knew something was wrong when his brother stopped answering his calls. The two talked on the phone every day.

"They finally told me he had been shot in the chest. He opened the door and let Jimmy in, and I guess Jimmy was wanting to talk to him. He walked up to him and killed him," Vaughan said.

Vaughan said Deaton was a cousin.

"You don’t know what’s living next door to you, I guess," neighbor Melanie Klements said.

Merritt has been charged with first-degree murder in Hallmark slaying.

Additional charges are pending, police said.