Ricky Holland Vanished

Sometimes during a trial a person will invoke their 5th amendment right when asked questions which would tend to incriminate them. Today after Thomas Taylor, father of accused murderer Lisa Holland was sworn in, supposedly to testify on behalf of his daughter, Thomas Taylor invoked his 5th amendment right.

Thomas Taylor was supeoned by the defense. The defense does not that many witnesses to call to disprove the state’s claim that Lisa Holland murdered her adopted son Ricky Holland while committing child abuse.

I am wondering who else the defense might have in line to testify for their client if her own father cannot testify because if he answers the questions truthfully he could open himself up to being charged for the same crime or at least an accessory after the fact.

During Tim Holland’s testimony he implicated Thomas Taylor regarding some major issues related to Ricky’s abuse and murder.

Tim Holland testified that on the night of Ricky’s death Thomas Taylor was at the home alone with Lisa just prior to Ricky’s death.

Tim Holland testified that on one occassion when he arrived home he found Thomas Taylor at his home alone with Lisa. Ricky’s head was duct-taped to the refrigerator.

Tim Holland testified that on another occassion when he arrived home he found Thomas Taylor sitting in an easy chair next to a place where Ricky was having a time out holding a large wooden spoon. According to Tim Holland this large wooden spoon was purchased by Thomas Taylor and was used by Lisa to hit Ricky on the head.

Tim Holland testified that the day after Ricky was reported missing Thomas Taylor sat with the couple in the kitchen and told them they better get their stories straight before talking to detectives.

I was concerned that the jury might not believe Tim Holland’s testimony because he had lied so much throughout the investigation. Now, with Thomas Taylor invoking his 5th amendment rights it reinforces in my mind and hopefully in the minds of the jurors that Tim Holland has been truthful in his testimony.

I have wondered at times if Lisa Holland was not the person to administer the death blow. I have wondered at times if it was Thomas Taylor who administered that final blow that ended Ricky’s life and Lisa was protecting her father. If this is the case the only way that Lisa can save herself from taking the full blame for the murder of her son is to roll over on her father.

There has been no honor among the many players in this horrible crime. I am sure there will be more surprises forthcoming and it is my guess that Thomas Taylor invoking his 5th amendment right was a surprise to the defense as well as to Lisa. I only wish I could have seen her face when her father invoked his 5th amendment right to each and every question that was asked of him.

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Lisa Holland’s trial is entering it’s third week beginning today. So far, it does not look good for the Prosecution. Public sentiment is that Mr. Ferency is in dire need of help in prosecuting this case. It appears from many who are attending the trial that the Prosecution is outnumbered by not only the many attorneys Lisa Holland has at her disposal at the taxpayers’ expense, but also it appears that Judge Manderfiled seems to side with the defense on many issues.

Some people have indicated that they have emailed Prosecuting Attorney, Stuart Dunnings, III with their concerns. I also emailed Mr. Dunnings with my concerns on Friday. I have not received a reply and do not know if I will receive one or not. At this point I do not believe a reply is as important as is expressing my feelings to him about how this case is being tried.

If you feel that Ricky is not getting a fair trial I urge you to email Mr. Dunnings and express your concerns as well. Clicking on the word “email” will open your default email program and address the email to Mr. Dunnings. If that does not work, his email address is sdunnings@ingham.org.

Update: October 2, 2006 3:50 p.m. PST
A reader of my blog sent me a reply she received to an email she sent to Stuart Dunnings. I asked her if I could post the reply on the blog and she agreed. Below is the email with identifying information removed.

From: “Stuart Dunnings”
Date: 2006/10/02 Mon AM 09:22:23 EDT
To: {edited for privacy}
Subject: Re: Ricky Holland

Dear {edited for privacy}, I believe the press coverage is painting a bleaker picture than things really are. The Judge instructs the jury at the outset to form no opinions until all of the evidence is in and as hard as that may be I would ask you to do the same. There have been some evidentiary rulings that have gone against us however we are revisiting them For instance the Judge intially ruled that certain news clips of the Hollands asking for help in locating ricky were inadmissable. That ruling has been reversed upon reconsideration. I can assure you that we are doing all we can to see that justice is served.

Stuart J. Dunnings III
Ingham County Prosecutor
303 W. Kalamazoo St.
Lansing, MI. 48933
517-483-6272