Attorneys Seek To Suppress Statements, Evidence In Bentonville Murder Case

Zachary Dwayne Holly
Zachary Dwayne Holly

BENTONVILLE -- Attorneys for a man accused of raping and killing a 6-year-old girl want to suppress evidence and statements he gave to police because they claim they were unlawfully seized.

Zachary Holly, 29, of Bentonville is charged with capital murder, kidnapping, rape and residential burglary in connection with the murder of 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman in 2012. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

Holly's defense team filed a motion earlier this month to suppress his statements and evidence obtained by a search warrant.

Jersey's body was found in an abandoned house next to Holly's home Nov. 20, 2012.

A medical examiner determined she died from asphyxia.

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.

Holly is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail. Holly previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The motion claims Bentonville police unlawfully arrested Holly without probable cause or a warrant Nov. 26, 2012. The suppression motion claims police did custodial interrogations of Holly on Nov. 20, 23 and 26. The motion claims the interrogations followed an unlawful arrest and detention and statements and evidence collected shouldn't be used as evidence.

Holly's attorneys claim the statements should also be inadmissible because Holly wasn't properly advised of his Constitutional rights, including telling him he wasn't compelled to accompany police for questioning.

The motion also wants a judge to suppress evidence police collected when they searched Holly's home because Holly's attorneys claim the search violated his rights.

Prosecutors haven't filed a response to the suppression motion.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren scheduled April 15 for the suppression hearing, but it's unlikely it will take place then since jury selection is scheduled to begin for the Perry Davis murder case.

NW News on 03/28/2014

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