BENTONVILLE (KFSM)- Opening arguments in the capital murder trial of a man accused of killing and raping a six-year-old girl are set to begin Monday (May 18), according to the Benton County Circuit Court judge presiding over the case.
After a second day of jury selection in the Zachary Holly trial on Monday (May 11), one juror was selected, bringing the total to four appointed jurors so far. The defense and prosecution need to interview and appoint eight more jurors, which they are expected do the rest of this week.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren said in court on Monday he has scheduled May 18 as the start date for the jury trial, adding there is a “small” possibility opening arguments could begin Friday.
Holly is charged with raping and killing Jersey Bridgeman, 6, in Bentonville in 2012. If found guilty, he faces the death sentence.
Bridgeman lived at 608 S.E. A St. with her mother, who called the police early in the morning of Nov. 20, 2012, to report her daughter was missing. Officers located the child’s body fewer than 15 minutes later in a nearby vacant house at 704 S.E. A St., officials said.
Court documents state that Holly and his wife babysat the child the night of her death while her mother, DesaRae Bridgeman, and Bridgeman’s boyfriend were working at a nearby convenience store.
A swab test on Jersey Bridgeman’s body showed traces of sperm, according to court documents. The cause of death was ruled as asphyxiation, documents state.
Holly consented to cheek swabs for DNA comparison and also gave authorities the clothing he had worn since going to bed the night of Jersey Bridgeman’s death, documents state.
