BENTONVILLE -- Attorneys for Zachary Holly have filed notice that they will appeal his murder conviction and death sentence.
Holly, 30, of Bentonville was sentenced last month to die by lethal injection for killing 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman in 2012. A jury found Holly guilty of capital murder, rape, kidnapping and residential burglary.
The notice of appeal in Holly's case was filed Wednesday with the Benton County circuit clerk's office. Holly's attorneys Kent McLemore and Robby Golden are to handle the appeal.
A jury watched and listened to Holly's recorded confession in which he admitted that he abducted the kindergartner from her bed. He went on to describe for Bentonville detectives how he raped and killed her.
Jersey's nude body was found Nov. 20, 2012, in the bedroom closet of an abandoned house next to Holly's home on Southeast A Street. She had been strangled with her pajama pants.
Holly's attorneys presented witnesses and testimony detailing Holly's abusive childhood in California in a bid to save him from the death penalty.
Holly was sentenced to death on the capital murder charge. He received life sentences for rape and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for residential burglary.
Holly's attorneys also filed a motion seeking permission to talk with the jurors in the case. Circuit Judge Brad Karren denied that request.
Holly is being held at the Varner Supermax prison in Gould.
Metro on 06/26/2015