Ricky Holland Trial Adjourned to Monday

The trial for the adoptive mother of Ricky Holland, the boy who was allegedly murdered by his adoptive parents in July, 2005, has been adjourned until Monday, October 9th. Monday marks the 4th week of trial, which is expected to last 4 to 6 weeks..

Lisa Holland, adoptive mother, is charged with open murder and first-degree child abuse. Her husband, Tim Holland, pleaded guilty in September to second-degree murder in the death of 7-year-old Ricky and he is expected to testify against his wife next week.

Ricky Holland's remains were found on Jan 27th, 2006, in a marsh south of Dansville, Michigan. His adoptive parents had reported him missing, which led to an extensive community-wide search which included almost 2,000 civilians and law enforcement officials and covered 20 miles of ground surrounding his home.

Last week, the court heard testimony from Carol Coxon, a nurse at the elementary school in Jackson where Ricky attended before his disappearance. Coxon testified that she had reported abuse of Ricky to Children's Protective Services on at least 2 occasions prior to his death. In one incident, she reported a number of coin sized bruises on his back and chest. Lisa Holland stated that the marks were due to a harness that Ricky wore on the bus, but when transportation officials were contacted, they reported that they were not using the harness. Testimony given earlier in the trial regarding the harness alleges that Lisa Holland forced Ricky to wear the harness to humiliate him and ridiculed him in front of others.

At the time of that incident, Lisa Holland was still Ricky's foster mother and had not yet adopted him out of care.

A neighbor, JoAnn Perkins, also testified last week concerning an incident in which she found Ricky going through her refrigerator. After giving him something to eat, he allegedly asked her if he could stay there. According to testimony, this incident occurred 2 weeks after he had reportedly entered another neighbor's home looking for food.

Friday's testimony included parts of a 3.5 hour interview of Lisa Holland from January of this year, which occurred just before Tim Holland led police to Ricky's remains.

Prosecutors are hoping that the jury will note her changing story and demeanor during the interview. The interview occurred after Lisa was notified that Tim Holland was accusing her of child abuse and was allegedly requested by Lisa.

Prior testimony given in the case has also been very damaging to the defense.

Open murder is a charge in Michigan that can lead to one of several findings, including first- or second-degree murder.

References:
Detroit Free Press, Reporter Jack Kresnak
Lansing State Journal
America's Most Wanted
WLNS Channel 6 news, Lansing