The former probation officer accused of murdering his
girlfriend “cut a deal” with the prosecution for a lesser charge of voluntary
manslaughter.
Russell Holt, 29, appeared in court on Monday in what was
supposed to be the start date for his trial on murder charges stemming from the
March 18 murder of Jessica Wolfe, but instead a hearing was held in which Holt
plead guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. He also plead guilty
to one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Judge Tillman Self sentenced Holt to serve 20 years in
prison for manslaughter and five years on probation for the weapons charge.
Holt who maintained his innocence until Monday’s court
appearance stood before self and admitted guilt to the manslaughter and gun
charge.
During the hearing family and friends were given an
opportunity to address the court.
Houston County District Attorney, George Hartwig and also
former co-worker of Jessica Wolfe spoke for nearly ten minutes emotionally
telling the court why he felt the plea was an injustice.
“I feel strongly that allowing the defendant to plead guilty
at this point is not fair,” Hartwig said.
He stated that as a district attorney himself he understands
and respects that tough decisions have to be made sometimes but he said he
believes that Jessica is not being served justice.
“We believe (her family, friends and coworkers) that the
defendant is a murderer. Why should the state give up a murder charge and give
him (Holt) this gift?” Hartwig asked the court.
In his statements Hartwig explained he has the utmost
respect for Pete Skandalakis (the prosecutor) and credited his service to
Houston County.
“While I can respect this decision, I cannot agree with it,”
he said.
Hartwig said he and many others had waited over a year for a
jury to hear this case, but said sadly, “no jury will get to hear her story of
what happened on March 18, they will not see the house of the defendant where
Jessica took her last breath, or see the weapon that he used to kill her.”
Hartwig referred to the plea made by Holt as a “sweet deal”
and said he hopes Holt realizes what he has been given.
“He dodged a big bullet in this case, but that is something
Jessica wasn’t able to do in the early morning hours on March 18, 2012 in
Russell Holt’s kitchen,” Hartwig said.
Ron Wolfe, Jessica’s father, spoke on Monday morning to a
packed courtroom. Ron who took a few moments while at the podium to gather
himself said, “Jessica was my daughter, my first born. I shouldn’t have to live
the rest of my life without her.”
As emotions ran high in the courtroom Ron continued to speak
of his pain.
“I will never be able to walk my daughter down the aisle, she
will never get the chance to be a mom,” he said tearfully.
Ron described Jessica as a “daddy’s girl” saying she always
wanted to be by his side and do the things he enjoyed.
Ron said he didn’t agree with the decision made by the
prosecution. He asked, “Please don’t let the judicial system that Jessica
believed in so much fail her.”
Jessica’s mother, Melanie Robinson, also spoke. Standing
before the court wearing a button that displayed the smiling face of Jessica
she said, “My daughter was murdered by a probation officer, a man who took an
oath to uphold the law. I don’t agree with what the prosecution has done.”
She held up a photo of Jessica and asked the court to impose
the maximum sentence allowed upon Holt for his actions.
In an attempt to give some closure to the families, Judge
Self said, ” I know this is a hard day and it is very difficult to know what to
say.”
To the Holt family, Self said, ” I am sorry for your
suffering. It is not your fault what your son has done. I wish I could isolate
the pain and suffering to him but I can’t.”
To the Wolfe family, Self who became very emotional said
this case didn’t leave him untouched.
“You say daddy’s girl- I get it,” he said. He explained he
has a nine-year-old daughter and said that this weekend she asked him, “Daddy
why are you hugging me so much?” Self said to Ron Wolfe sitting in the front
row in court on Monday, “I felt guilty when she asked me that because I thought
about you. I thought about you not getting to hug your daughter.” He continued,
“Please don’t think that I don’t get it, because I do.”
The Judge addressed Holt by saying, “this didn’t have to be.
You made stupid, selfish decisions and ruined a lot of people’s lives.”
Holt remained rather unemotional throughout the hearing on
Monday.
After Self imposed the sentence of 20 years to serve in
prison Holt was taken into custody and let into the holding area next to the
courtroom.
The background to the case
On March 18, 2012 officers of the Warner Robins Police Department
responded to a call around 2:30 a.m. made from the 100-block of Ledford Way.
Reports state that upon arrival police found Wolfe, 27, of Bonaire, lying
inside the home with a gunshot wound to her upper torso.
Holt was arrested in connection with the shooting that same
morning.
Holt, who was a probation officer, has been charged with
felony murder and aggravated assault. He is being held in the Houston County
Jail.
Hartwig recused himself from the case and requested a
special prosecutor. Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens appointed Coweta
District Attorney Pete Skandalakis to prosecute the case in Houston County.
HHJ News
