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Billy Jack Haynes deemed competent to stand trial

Posted: Apr 5th 2026 By: Wrestling's Glory Days

Former professional wrestler Billy Jack Haynes has been declared competent to stand trial in the slaying of his 85 year old wife in February 2024.
Haynes, the Oregon based star that had worked in the WWF and WCW for most of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Haynes has seemed a little unhinged for several years, he also led a class action lawsuit against the WWE for wrestlers that suffered head injuries.

Haynes, 72, was taken into custody after a two hour standoff when his wife, Janette Becraft was shot and killed in their home. Haynes maintained at that time his wife was suffering from dementia and asked him to kill her. Her family has filed a lawsuit against Haynes, alleging he physically, mentally, and financially abused her. He was arrested and last year deemed unfit to stand trial, and was sent to the Oregon State Hospital.

The Multnomah County courts have now determined Haynes is competent to face the charges, and a trial date has been set tentatively for May of 2027. He is charged with second degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. For more on the case, Dark Side of the Ring covered Billy Jack’s saga last season.