Formal charges filed against Zachary Holly

STAFF PHOTO MARC F. HENNING
Zachary Holly, 28, of Bentonville is escorted by Benton County Sheriff's Deputies into Circuit Judge Robin Green's courtroom Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, for his probable cause and bond hearing at the Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville.
STAFF PHOTO MARC F. HENNING Zachary Holly, 28, of Bentonville is escorted by Benton County Sheriff's Deputies into Circuit Judge Robin Green's courtroom Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, for his probable cause and bond hearing at the Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville.

Prosecutors filed formal charges Wednesday against the Bentonville man accused of raping and killing his 6-year-old neighbor, Jersey Bridgeman.

Zachary Dwayne Holly, 28, is charged with capital murder, kidnapping, and rape, all Class Y felonies. He is also charged with residential burglary, a Class B felony.

Holly was arrested Nov. 26.

His arrest came after a nearly weeklong investigation into Jersey’s death.

DesaRae Bridgeman discovered her daughter wass missing when she woke up shortly after 6:30 a.m. Nov. 20, according to court documents.

Bentonville police officers Travis Nichols and Mike Henson found Jersey’s body in the closet of an abandoned house at 704 S.E. A St., just south of Holly’s mobile home. A medical examiner found the girl died from asphyxia, according to court documents.

Holly lived at 702 S.E. A St., next door to Jersey’s home at 608 S.E. A St.

Holly is being held in the Benton County Jail without the benefit of bond.

His arraignment is scheduled for Monday morning in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s court.

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