Williamston woman who killed son, 7, loses appeal

Williamston woman who killed son, 7, loses appeal

June 25, 2008

Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld the murder conviction of a Williamston woman who was found guilty of killing her adopted 7-year-old son.

Lisa Holland says her 2006 trial in Ingham County should have been moved because media publicity deprived her of a fair trial. The 36-year-old also says evidence of Ricky Holland's cause of death and prior abuse against him shouldn't have been heard by jurors.

The appeals court disagreed in a unanimous ruling released Wednesday.

Lisa Holland is serving life without parole for the boy's 2005 death. Her husband is serving between 30 and 60 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Tim Holland testified his wife struck Ricky with a hammer and had abused the boy by restraining him with ropes and not feeding him.