Erik Hollie

Case record

Erik Hollie was sentenced to death on March 16, 2010, for a capital murder in Wesson, Mississippi, that occurred during a robbery of a pawn shop operator.

Timeline

• September 2009 — Erik Hollie pleaded guilty to capital murder in Ward's shooting death and later received a death sentence.
• September 8, 2009 — An ordeal began when Denmon Ward was killed by Erik Hollie in Wesson Pawn & Gun.
• September 11, 2009 — Ward's family last saw Ward in his casket.
• March 16, 2010 — A circuit judge sentenced Hollie to death.
• March 17, 2010 — News reports described the sentencing proceedings after Hollie left the Copiah County courtroom.

Background

Erik Hollie was 25-year-old at the time of his guilty plea to the murder and later described in reporting as 24. He confessed to the crime the day after he was arrested in September 2009 and told investigators he wanted the death penalty. Hollie asked for the death penalty and received it.

The offence

Denmon Ward, 54, was killed in Wesson Pawn & Gun in Wesson during a robbery. Hollie shot Ward at least five times in the robbery of Ward's Pawn Shop in downtown Wesson. Forensic testimony stated that Ward was hit by six bullets, including one shot to the head that appeared to have come when Ward was already laying face down on the ground.

The jury heard evidence that Hollie also robbed a convenience store in Georgetown the day before and was caught on surveillance tape during the commission of that crime.

Investigation

Milton Twiner, the chief investigator for Copiah County, testified and was described as the star witness because he obtained Hollie's confession on tape.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Bruce Levy testified about the wounds, stating that Ward was hit by six bullets and describing a head shot that appeared to have been delivered when Ward was already laying face down on the ground.

Arrest

Hollie confessed and told investigators he wanted the death penalty. He had confessed to the crime the day after he was arrested in September 2009. Reporting said Hollie turned himself in to Wesson police and the Copiah County Sheriff's Department in the middle of Highway 51 in Wesson and asked for the death penalty since that confession.

Trial

Hollie pleaded guilty to capital murder in Ward's shooting death. The jury returned a unanimous decision after deliberating for just over an hour and ten minutes. The jury's options included life in prison or the death sentence.

Hollie stood up in court and told the jury, considering his fate, that he was guilty. After the jury received instructions for deliberations, Hollie's attorney, M.A. Bass, asked Circuit Judge Lamar Pickard to allow his client to address the panel. Hollie told the jury:

"Let the Lord deal with me," Hollie said. "Sentence me to death."

Copiah County Chief Deputy Tony Hemphill described the sentencing request as shocking, saying:

"It was very unorthodox, and he got what he asked for. Regardless of how a person he is or how he thinks, you still have to use all your resources," Hemphill said. "I think by not allowing his lawyer to defend him any way he could, I thought it was ludicrous."

Milton Twiner said:

"He wanted what he got. He asked for the death penalty, it's a crime that warranted the death penalty, and a jury of his peers handed him the death penalty. He showed no remorse at any time during the whole thing, he was kind of, he was real cooperative, he was up front with it, I just wish that he had told me how it happened,"

Hemphill added:

"He absolutely knows what he's doing," he said. "He can blame anybody he wants to, but I think this is his way of just saying here I am, I did it, take me."

Sentencing

In order to allow the jury to suggest a sentence, proceedings followed Hollie's guilty plea to capital murder in Ward's shooting death. After deliberations, jurors unanimously agreed Hollie should die for his role in Ward's death.

Circuit Judge Lamar Pickard sentenced Hollie:

"I do hereby sentence you to death by the method described by the state of Mississippi at a time to be determined,"

Pickard added a 50-year sentence for armed robbery.

Appeals

In Mississippi, the death sentence carried an automatic appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Outcome

Hollie was sentenced to death following his guilty plea and the jury's unanimous decision in the case involving the killing of Denmon Ward during a robbery.

Aftermath

As convicted murderer Erik Hollie left the Copiah County courtroom after being sentenced to death, members of his family shouted, "We love you, Erik."

Ward's family held hands and wiped away tears. Ward's wife Ursula Ward said:

"We last saw him Sept. 11 in his casket, and that was our last time to say goodbye, and thank you for your wonderful life," Ward said. "The impact of this will change my life forever. Erik Hollie has taken something from us that cannot be replaced."

The proceedings included impact statements from Ward's family. Ward's daughter Julie Case said:

"I don't even feel like I can be a good mother to my children because I'm a grieving child myself," said daughter Julie Case. "I fear my children won't even remember him as a person, just the horror of his death."

Ward's son, Wesson Police Chief Chad O'Quinn, was stationed overseas. Acting Police Chief Chad Sills said:

"As far as the police department is concerned, it didn't matter if the sentence was life in prison or the death penalty, we're happy that the family got justice," said acting Police Chief Chad Sills.

Tony Hemphill said he was touched for Hollie's family and gave additional remarks:

"Hemphill said that while he's happy that justice has been done for Ward's family, he is touched for Hollie's. "Chad (O'Quinn)'s been a friend of mine for years, even back in school. I'm just glad it's over for his sake," Hemphill said. "But I feel for Erik's mother, I really do. I'm a father, and I can't imagine sitting there watching your child go through something like this and getting up and asking the jury for the death sentence in her presence, I can't imagine how that made her feel."

After the victim impact statements, Hollie declined to speak to the courtroom and said:

"It's all good," Hollie said.