BENTONVILLE -- Capital murder defendant Zachary Holly stood and faced dozens of prospective jurors in the courtroom Friday as Circuit Judge Brad Karren introduced him.
"Good morning," Holly said.
Holly, 30, of Bentonville also faces charges of rape, kidnapping and residential burglary in the Nov. 20, 2012, killing of 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman.
He has pleaded innocent to the charges.
Karren told the crowd that the state accuses Holly of entering Jersey's home for the purpose of kidnapping and raping her. Further, the state has accused Holly of taking the girl to an abandoned house with the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse and then raping and murdering her, Karren said.
Holly has denied the crimes, Karren said.
"The state is seeking the death penalty," Karren said. "These are serious issues. This is a serious case."
Karren has set aside next week to select the jury and plans for opening statements to begin May 18. It may take a few weeks to try the case, he said.
Karren conducted the first day of jury selection Friday in Circuit Judge Robin Green's court because it is large enough to hold the 100 people called for jury duty. The rest of jury selection and the trial will be held in Karren's courtroom.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys must select 12 jurors and three alternates.
Karren wanted to know whether any of the prospective jurors knew Nathan Smith, Benton County's prosecuting attorney, or his two deputies, Stuart Cearley and Stephanie McLemore.
He also asked whether anyone knew Holly and his attorneys, Kent McLemore and Robby Golden. The McLemores are not related.
At least eight prospective jurors were dismissed Friday, including a man who said he endorsed Smith in the election and also knows one of Holly's relatives. Three were dismissed after reporting that they are related to or know someone in the Benton County prosecuting attorney's office.
Karren explained to the group that there are only two punishments for capital murder: death or life imprisonment without parole. A juror must be able to give serious consideration to each option, Karren said.
Karren wanted to know if anyone felt so strongly that he could not consider the death penalty, even after hearing all the evidence. Three people stood, and they were dismissed.
The judge also wanted to know if anyone would not consider a life sentence. None of the prospective jurors stood.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys will begin questioning the prospective jurors Monday morning in groups of three. They will question four groups a day.
Holly lived next to Jersey's family on Southeast A Street in Bentonville. He and his then-wife sometimes babysat Jersey and her younger sister, according to court documents.
A medical examiner determined that Jersey died from asphyxia, according to court documents.
Holly is being held without bond in the Benton County jail.
NW News on 05/09/2015