Jason Murphy Sentenced In Holman Murder
by Scott Johnson
Montgomery Advertiser

It took almost seven years, but Jason Murphy has finally been sentenced for the murder of businessman Ronnie Holman.

Elmore County Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds sentenced Murphy to 35 years in prison Monday for the 2003 murder. The sentence includes the almost seven years that Murphy already spent in jail while being tried for the murder three times.


Jason Murphy
After two previous trials ended in hung juries, a third jury convicted Murphy in October. The attorney general's office had pursued a capital murder charge against Murphy, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of felony murder.

Murphy faced a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 99 years on that charge.

Holman's widow, daughter, mother and father delivered emotional pleas to give Murphy the maximum sentence.

Holman's mother, Betty Holman, said that since the shooting, Ronnie Holman's 15-year-old grandson will not go outside when it is dark.

"So many tears have been shed over this senseless loss," Betty Holman said.

Murphy's previous convictions were off-limits during the verdict phase of the trial, but an earlier assault conviction factored into the sentencing.

Prosecutors and family members said that Murphy failed to show any remorse for the killing.

Defense attorney Chip Cleveland said Murphy plans to pursue appeals.

"He can't show the remorse everyone wants him to show because he denies his guilt," Cleveland said.

Holman's widow, Kathy Holman, said her husband was "truly a family man" who loved cookouts and family outings.

The family has been crushed by his murder, she said.

"It was a horrible and cruel way he died," Kathy Holman said.

Holman was shot to death at his Titus home July 29, 2003, after walking outside to see why his dogs were barking. Prosecutors contended that Jason Murphy, then 22, and Jared Murphy, then 17, shot Holman and then followed Holman's wife inside the house and stole money.

Defense attorneys pointed out that Murphy's guilt twice was not proven to juries and a third jury only found him guilty of a lesser charge.

Murphy was led into the courtroom wearing a bulletproof vest over his orange jumpsuit. Cleveland said Murphy is the first client he has had who had to wear one in court.

Jared Murphy will go on trial in September in connection with the same killing.


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