Photo: Justice For Holli Jeffcoat/Facebook
A Texas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to the2016 murder of his teenage stepdaughter who had developmental disabilities— and he’s also accused of sexually abusing and impregnating her.
James Holland will be sentenced to life in prison without parole after reaching the plea agreement in the death of 18-year-old Holli Jeffcoat, local stationsKFDAandKWTX,andEverythingLubbock.comreport.
In February 2016, Holli was found dead on the floor in her childhood home with her throat slit and uterus removed. The home had been set on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime, investigators believe.
Holland was arrested and accused of allegedly continuously sexually abusing Holli over a period of years, starting when Holli was 12.
After Holland’s guilty plea,Holli’s uncle Ronny Lemmondtold theLubbock Avalanche-Journal, “We’re happy ’cause he finally took responsibility for what he did and that he’s going to have to spend the rest of his life in prison thinking about what he did.”
However, he added, “But we’re mad because he had to wait three years to even say anything. And we’re mad at the district attorney for giving him the option to do so.”
From left: James Holland and Debi Holland.Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office
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Holli was described in the documents as being developmentally disabled and having the mental age of a six- or seven-year-old.
Officials allegedly discovered Internet searches on Debi Holland’s email address for incest porn, mostly involving stepfathers and stepdaughters, the warrant states.
Both Debi and James Holland have pleaded not guilty to the sexual abuse charges. Debi remains in Lubbock County Jail awaiting trial, according to jail records. Her attorney information was not available Thursday.
source: people.com
