RICKY HOLLAND - 7 yo (2005) - Lansing MI

Lisa Holland was found guilty this morning of murder in the July 2005 death of her 7-year-old adopted son Ricky.

An
Ingham County jury that had been deliberating since Wednesday afternoon
found Holland guilty of both first-degree felony murder and
first-degree child abuse. Her sentencing was set for Nov. 28; Holland
faces mandatory life in prison on the charges.

Ricky was reported
missing from his family’s Williamston home on July 2, 2005, but
testimony in the six-week trial revealed he died the previous evening.
His remains were found in a marsh-like area near Dansville in January.

After
the verdict, a deputy immediately led Holland from the courtroom. She
had to be brought back to hear her sentencing date and was in tears when
she returned.

Assistant Prosecutor Mike Ferency called the case
one of the most emotional of his 21-year career. "I will carry this one
for a long time," he said.

Ferency reflected upon the afternoon when he and detectives were led to Ricky's remains, saying they were "scarred for life."

Lisa’s
husband, Tim Holland, already has pleaded guilty to second-degree
murder in the case and testified in her trial. He asked her to accept
her role in Ricky’s death.

After the verdict, Ingham County
Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth said he has no sympathy for the two. "There
should be a special place in Hell for both Hollands," he said.

Wriggelsworth
complimented the jury, saying it wasn't a "smoking gun" kind of case
and that they came to a reasonable conclusion.

Lisa Holland's
co-counsel Mike Nichols called the verdict "crushing." He said the
prosecution's case, which included more than 50 witnesses and 312
exhibits, was likely too much to overcome for the jury.

Tim Holland’s nephew, Rodney Weston, who was in the courtroom for the verdict, said the family is satisfied with the outcome.

“If
I had my wish, none of this would ever have happened, but since it did,
then this was justice done,” said Weston, a writer and editorial
assistant for the State Journal.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20061027/NEWS01/61027001/Lisa-Holland-guilty-son-s-death-prosecutor-calls-case-scarring-?odyssey=nav|head