Holly pleads not guilty to killing 6-year-old

Zachary Holly
Zachary Holly

A Bentonville man pleaded not guilty Monday morning to charges accusing him of kidnapping, raping and killing a 6-year-old girl.

Zachary Dwayne Holly, 28, entered the pleas at his arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green. Holly was arrested in connection with the death of his 6-year-old neighbor, Jersey Bridgeman.

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

Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Van Stone said the prosecution will seek the death penalty.

Holly was arrested Nov. 26 after about a week-long investigation into Jersey Bridgeman’s death. A medical examiner found the girl died from asphyxia, 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. Holly lived at 702 S.E. A St., next door to Jersey’s home at 608 S.E. A St.

Bentonville police received a call at 6:43 a.m. Nov. 20 about a missing child, according to the affidavit. DesaRae Bridgeman told police her daughter had been with the Holly family while she was at work, according to court documents.

Zachary Holly faces either life in prison without parole or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder.

A kidnapping conviction is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment. Holly faces from 25 to 40 years or life imprisonment if convicted of rape.

A rape conviction normally carries a sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life in prison. A conviction of raping a child 13 or younger, however, carries a minimum sentence of 25 years.

Capital murder, kidnapping and rape are classified as Class Y felonies. Residential burglary, a Class B felony, is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five years to 20 years.

Holly is being held without bond in the Benton County jail. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s court, but the case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Brad Karren.

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