BENTONVILLE — The murder trial for a Bentonville man has been postponed until July 29.
Zachary Holly, 28, is charged in connection with capital murder, kidnapping, rape and residential burglary in connection with the murder of 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman in 2012.
Holly’s trial was scheduled to begin April 15, but Circuit Judge Brad Karren granted a motion to postpone the trial Friday.
At A Glance
Possible Sentences
Zachary Holly of Bentonville could be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder.
• Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
• He faces from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment if convicted of kidnapping.
• The punishment for rape is 25 to 40 years or life imprisonment if convicted.
• A conviction for residential burglary carries a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years.
Source: Staff Report
The delay is related to efforts by Holly’s attorneys to get records from the California Department of Human Services.
Attorney Madison Aydelott told Karren he or his co-counsel, Kent McLemore, may have to travel to California and participate in a hearing to get the documents.
Van Stone, prosecutor, didn't object to the delay.
“We are satisfied that a brief continuance is the best interest of justice in this case,” Stone said.
Aydelott and Stone didn’t go into any detail about what the records involved.
Karren ruled on several motions during Friday’s proceedings.
Some of the motions dealt with seeking to have the death penalty declared unconstitutional. Karren denied each of those motions.
One motion concerned prohibiting jurors from hearing testimony concerning prior injuries to the child. The autopsy showed other injuries not related to the Jersey’s death, Aydelott said. Stone said he had a different view of what the autopsy showed. Karren took the motion under advisement.
Another motion sought to prohibit any outbursts in the courtroom during trial. Aydelott also was concerned about people wearing T-shirts or buttons with Jersey’s photograph and jurors seeing them.
Stone said he didn't think outbursts in the courtroom would be an issue. He also agreed T-shirts or buttons with Jersey’s photograph shouldn't be worn, especially where a juror could see them. Karren said he would address the issue if necessary.
Aydelott also asked Karren about people who might carry banners and poster outside of the courtroom and the possibility of jurors seeing them.
Aydelott has until March 7 to file a motion to suppress in the case. A hearing on the issue is slated for April 15.
Jersey’s body was found in an abandoned house next to Holly’s home Nov. 20, 2012.
A medical examiner determined Jersey died from asphyxia, according to court documents.
Holly lived next door to Jersey’s family on Southwest A Street, and he and his wife sometimes baby-sat Jersey and her younger sister, according to court documents.
Holly is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.