Doctor who performed autopsy on 5-year-old Kamarie Holland testifies in murder trial

Kelby Hutchison
·2 min read
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The trial for a man who has already pleaded guilty to murder in the death of a Phenix City 5-year-old who was raped and strangled entered its second day.

Dr. David Rydzewski, a forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Holland, testified Thursday afternoon.

He testified that a toxicological report of blood taken from Holland revealed methamphetamine and amphetamine in Holland’s body.

This comes after jurors were told of the graphic nature of the case and shown video evidence from police body cameras and cell phone video of the sexual assault.

Jeremy Williams previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the death of 5-year-old Kamarie Holland who was killed in December 2021. However, Alabama law dictates that a case carrying the death penalty cannot be resolved by pleading guilty.

Williams pleaded guilty to these charges:

  • Capital murder for causing Kamarie’s death.

  • Capital murder for killing her in course of kidnapping.

  • Capital murder for killing her while committing first-degree rape.

  • Capital murder for killing her while committing first-degree sodomy.

Those guilty pleas were entered as exhibits on Thursday afternoon. A certified copy of a guilty plea by Williams was entered as an exhibit for the jury to consider.

Images from Holland’s autopsy were shown to the court showing multiple injuries on different parts of her body. One image was shown of Holland’s body with part of the rope still around her neck.

Some of the more graphic images weren’t shown to reporters and those in the galleries. Rydzewski described these images and detailed trauma located in Holland’s rectal and vaginal area.

Rydzewski testified that Holland’s cause of death was asphyxia due to ligature strangulation and the manner of death was homicide.

Heidi Grohman with the Russell County Department of Human Resources was the last to testify.

Grohman testified that Holland’s mother, Kristy Siple, didn’t have custody of Holland. She said Russell County DHR received a report of drug abuse by Siple.

Grohamn testified custody was awarded to Holland’s father. The children were later taken back into DHR care after finding out Holland’s father was allowing Siple to have contact with her children, according to Grohman.

Holland’s father later got the children back after they were taken into DHR custody, according to Grohman’s testimony.

Williams asked that his attorneys not to make objections or ask questions. None of the witnesses called were cross-examined.

If Williams is found guilty the sentencing phase is expected to start next week.