Something Keeps Nagging At Me About This Case
Story Created: October 26, 2006
Something keeps nagging at me about this case. Lisa’s defense or lack of a defense is what is nagging at me. The only thing that the defense brought up in defense of Lisa’s not-guilty plea is that Tim Holland is a liar. They brought her mother and sister to the witness stand to state that Lisa loved her children and they never saw any signs of abuse. The claimed Tim Holland was a controlling father and strict disciplinarian.
If I was fighting for my life – in this case facing life in prison without the possibility of parole – I would have fought harder than Lisa Holland if I were truly innocent of murdering my child.
Sure, the defense brought Lisa’s father to testify in her defense but even he was not a good witness because he is implicated in the abuse of Ricky and maybe even aiding in his murder. According to Tim Holland, Mr. Taylor is at least guilty of assisting the couple in formulating a story prior to speaking to investigators.
Someone left a comment stating an interesting theory. Maybe Mr. Taylor was brought called to testify and invoked his 5th amendment right to self-incrimination to create reasonable doubt. I think this is a good theory. If enough of the jurors believe that Tom Taylor had a hand in murdering Ricky they might be reluctant to convict Lisa on the first-degree murder charge.
What are the chances in Lansing, Michigan for a jury to convict a frail old man of murdering his grandson if he is ever charged with the crime or even charged with child abuse or accessory after the fact? I am thinking people would be reluctant to convict a frail old man who has lived in the community for a great number of years. Even his demeanor on the stand was that of a confused old man who really did not understand what was going on and why he needed to speak to an attorney prior to his testimony. I am thinking he most likely did not see the reason to invoke his 5th amendment right.
As far as Lisa’s mother is concerned – she too had to obtain legal advisement just prior to taking the stand due to possible perjury concerns.
If Lisa Holland is convicted on any charges of which she is accused I predict a valid reason for appeal – lack of competent legal representation.
If anything sealed Lisa’s fate it was Mr. Abood’s speaking for Ricky in his closing arguments. I have heard from people that during the trial there was a lot of laughing and joking around from the defense table throughout the trial. From all appearances they did not appear to take the murder and abuse of a 7-year-old innocent child seriously only to use his voice to accuse his father of the crime was insensitive at the least.
The best defense advise Lisa Holland could have received was to plead guilty and strike a plea deal to perhaps second-degree child abuse and involuntary manslaughter.
In the end the only question that needs an answer is why was Ricky Holland abused and murdered in a state-sanctioned home?
7 Responses to 'Something Keeps Nagging At Me About This Case'
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My only prayers at this point, is that now Ricky may finally rest in peace.
My second prayer, is that we ALL must pay attention to the going-ons around us. There were signs…definite signs that something was wrong in the precious baby’s life….and no one took the steps necessary to prevent Ricky from being brutalized even further. I came from abuse. Abusers hide it well…but they also leave signs.
Let us recognize from this tragedy, the next “signs”…to help the next baby!
motherluv
27 Oct 06 at 6:28 pm
Well Trisha, it’s a bitter sweet victory. Yesterday I got a little nervous when the jury didn’t come back, although my faith didn’t waiver that they would no doubt do the right thing. However, I cried once I heard the news. I cried for Ricky and all he had gone through and the fact that his little life had been snuffed out like he was nothing, dumped on the side of the road like trash.
The fact remains, nothing can change any of it. However, there is justice and they can finally lay Ricky to rest.
I do hope they go after Tom Taylor as well. Frail or not. He wasn’t too frail to take part in the abuse, he shouldn’t be too frail to pay the consequences.
Kudos for the coverage and caring you have provided through this trial.
KindraLore
KindraLore
27 Oct 06 at 10:29 pm
Tom Taylor wasn’t to frail to run after and tackle Ricky when he ran away either. His court room antics were an act in progress, yet he failed to act quite so frail when he left the witness stand. Tom has a lot to worry about right now. How long he will be able to stay a free man, who will take care of his wife when he goes to prison. He has the biggest role of his life to play. He should save the State of Michigan alot of money and off himself. IMO.
anonomous
29 Oct 06 at 1:35 am
I AM PLEASED WITH THE VERDICT!! LISA STILL MUST FACE HER FINAL JUDGEMENT DAY, BEFORE HER MAKER! AND SHE HAS TO SURVIVE PRISON WITH THE TITLE OF A CHILD KILLER!LETS HOPE HER PRISON-MATES HAVE HARNESSES AND WOODEN SPOONS, AND THE PRISON HAS NOT ENOUGH FOOD OR MAYBE CARROT SANDWICHES EVERYDAY ON THEIR MENU !! I THINK JUSTICE HAS AND WILL BE SERVED! THANK GOD! I AGREE WITH MAGZ & CASSANDRA. BRING CHARGES AGAINST LISA’S DAD AS WELL, SHE MUST HAVE LEARNED TO BE “MEAN†SOMEWHERE! FROM THE BEGINING I JUST DON’T COMPREHEND!!HOW ANY HUMAN CAN BE SO MEAN! WE ALL MAY HAVE A MOMENT WHEN WE’VE BEEN MEAN…BUT TO AN INNOCENT CHILD?? I CANNOT COMPREHEND! I SOMETIMES FEEL GUILTY SQUASHING A BUG! MAY GOD HAVE MERCY! AND RICKY….YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE! ENJOY THE STREETS OF GOLD, AND ALL GOD HAS PREPARED FOR YOU! YOU ARE A SPECIAL CHILD!
GRAMA
31 Oct 06 at 1:50 am
i my self am from williamston and i have 3 boys of my own. i feel that lisa got the punishment that she deserved the one thing that hurts me the most is i wish just one time that poor little boy could have felt love … and joy of a mother and a son it saddens me beyound words….ass for me i can sleep a little better to nite just knowing she cant hurt another baby.
deisel
1 Nov 06 at 4:14 am
Did you know that the state ALLOWED THE HOLLANDS TO FINALIZE ANOTHER ADOPTION IN OCTOBER 2005—3 months after Ricky went missing? It sickens me.
I think poor Ricky never had a chance. Between the worthless birth parents and the sociopathic adoptive parents, honestly, what hope did he have? I believe that Ricky has fulfilled his purpose. He has opened a lot of eyes and helped us remember that we must pay close attention to those who can’t help themselves.
Now for a rant: If Casey Caswell gets any kind of monetary reward by suing whomever, I will seriously lose faith in this thing we call a “system”. Let’s see…how many children did she give birth to? And how many of those children are in her custody? It cannot ALWAYS be someone else’s fault. She makes me ill. I pray that she had a tubal ligation. Ugh. Leaves a bad taste, doesn’t it?
Kim
2 Nov 06 at 12:03 am
She is a witch to think that she could get away with killing a innocent little boy and if they didn’t want him then why not take him to the police department or something. why kill him
smiles
22 Mar 07 at 2:28 am