BENTONVILLE — A new attorney is on board to represent Zachary Holly in his murder case, and a jury trial has been scheduled to begin May 11.
The Arkansas Public Defender Commission appointed Robby Golden of Little Rock to be on Holly's defense with Fayetteville attorney Kent McLemore.
Holly, 29, of Bentonville is charged with capital murder, rape, kidnapping and residential burglary in connection with 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman’s Nov. 20, 2012, death.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Golden's entry of appearance was filed on Wednesday in Benton County Circuit Court.
A hearing is set for 11 a.m. today in Circuit Judge Brad Karren's court.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin Nov. 3 in the case, but Circuit Judge Brad Karren postponed the trial after McLemore came forward and reported they were not prepared to defend Holly in the guilt phase of the proceedings.
Pat Aydelott, the other attorney who was representing Holly, then disclosed that he had a drinking problem which led to depression. Aydelott was responsible for the guilt phase of the proceedings while McLemore would handle the sentencing phase during the trial.
Karren removed Aydelott from the case.
The state Public Defender Commission then had to find another attorney for the case. The Benton County Public Defenders Office did not represent Holly because one of their attorneys represented David Bridgeman, Jersey's father, in an abuse case involving her.
Holly lived next to Jersey’s family on Southeast A Street. He and his wife sometimes babysat Jersey and her younger sister, according to court documents.
A medical examiner determined Jersey died from asphyxia, according to court documents. Jersey’s body was found in an abandoned house next to Holly ’s home on Southeast A Street.
Holly is being held in the Benton County Jail without bond.