Former professional wrestler William “Billy Jack” Haynes has been ruled mentally unfit to stand trial in the ongoing murder case involving the death of his wife, Janette Becraft. The ruling was made public on May 15, 2025, according to multiple reports.
Haynes, 70, was arrested on February 8, 2024, after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement at his home in Portland, Oregon. Authorities later discovered the body of his 85-year-old wife, who had died from a gunshot wound. Haynes was charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. The couple reportedly married in 2022.
Now, more than a year after the incident, a court has determined that Haynes is not competent to stand trial. The ruling means Haynes is currently unable to understand the legal proceedings or assist in his defense. While no specific medical details were released, such decisions are typically based on psychiatric evaluations requested by the court.
As a result, legal proceedings will likely be paused indefinitely. Haynes may be committed to a state psychiatric facility where his mental state will be evaluated periodically to determine whether he may regain competency in the future. Should his condition improve, the charges could still be revisited in court.
Billy Jack Haynes rose to fame in the 1980s, competing across the Pacific Northwest territories and later in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he became known for his rugged “Billy Jack” persona. Haynes competed at WrestleMania III and was known for his intense promos and physical style.
In later years, Haynes made headlines for his controversial public remarks and participation in a now-dismissed class-action lawsuit against WWE, which alleged the company had failed to protect talent from long-term brain injuries. The lawsuit was ultimately thrown out, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case in 2021.
At the time of her death, Becraft reportedly suffered from various health issues, including signs of dementia. Neighbors had previously expressed concern over the couple’s wellbeing.
This tragic and complex situation continues to develop as Haynes remains in state custody. Stay tuned to PWMania.com for more updates on this story and other wrestling-related news.
