GUILTY CA - Christina Williams, 13, Seaside, 12 June 1998 *arrest*

[Niner]

Tuesday, March 3rd:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on 3/3.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, March 4th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: No info available. Trial continues on 3/3.
3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on 3/4.

 

[Niner]

Finally an article on the first day of trial - I shall correct my notes.

Parents of Christina Williams testify in first day of Charles Holifield murder trial – Monterey Herald

PUBLISHED: March 2, 2020 at 2:56 p.m. | UPDATED: March 2, 2020 at 3:19 p.m.

SALINAS — The trial of Charles Holifield, who is accused of the kidnapping and murder of Christina Williams, began Monday with the parents of the 13-year-old girl who disappeared in 1998 testifying.

Alice and Michael Williams spoke in the Salinas courtroom about their daughter and the day she disappeared, June 12, 1998. The parents testified the family had been living in military housing at Fort Ord for a few months when their daughter disappeared after Michael Williams was assigned to work in Monterey by the Navy.
[.....]
Denise B., who was 18 at the time, testified she was raped in May 1979 in Marina. She said she lived with her parents at the time and decided to go for a walk to Seaside along the bike path. When she got about half a mile down the path, she said she was jumped from behind and thrown to the ground. She started to cry as she testified about Holifield choking her and holding her down in the dirt.
[.....]
Dina J. testified she went for a walk near Hopkins Marine Station close to the Monterey/Pacific Grove border the night she was raped in April 1983.
[.....]
Former Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller, who was a detective at the time, testified about his work on the 1983 case. He said he was the on-call detective who responded that night, though it was another detective who went back to Seaside with Dina J. the next morning. Miller testified that Holifield admitted to raping the girl while speaking to him in at the Pacific Grove Police Department.

The court announced Monday morning no still or video photography will be permitted during the trial. Holifield sat in a business suit with no tie and his face clean-shaven Monday, flanked at the defense table by his two attorneys from the Public Defender’s Office.
[.....]
The DA’s Office agreed in December to drop the potential of capital punishment in the case in exchange for Holifield waiving his rights to a jury trial and his rights to writs and appeals, which will terminate the appellate process resulting in a swift and final judgment if a guilty verdict is rendered. Judge Pamela Butler is overseeing the trial, which is expected to last about a month.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, March 5th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. State witnesses: Alice Williams (Christina's mother). Michael Williams (Christina's father). Debbie B. (got choked by defendant May of 1979). Dina J. (raped by defendant April of 1983). Former Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller (who was a detective in 1983). Trial continues on 3/3.
3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on 3/4.
3/4/20 Wednesday Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on 3/5.

 

[Niner]

Friday, March 6th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. State witnesses: Alice Williams (Christina's mother). Michael Williams (Christina's father). Debbie B. (got choked by defendant May of 1979). Dina J. (raped by defendant April of 1983). Former Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller (who was a detective in 1983). Trial continues on 3/3.
3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on 3/4.
3/4/20 Wednesday Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on 3/5.
3/5/20 Thursday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on 3/6.



@Suglo - any updates in the court site? Are Fridays dark?

 

[Suglo]

Friday, March 6th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. State witnesses: Alice Williams (Christina's mother). Michael Williams (Christina's father). Debbie B. (got choked by defendant May of 1979). Dina J. (raped by defendant April of 1983). Former Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller (who was a detective in 1983). Trial continues on 3/3.
3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on 3/4.
3/4/20 Wednesday Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on 3/5.
3/5/20 Thursday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on 3/6.



@Suglo - any updates in the court site? Are Fridays dark?

@Niner It doesn’t look like it. The docket says “Court Trial: Ongoing” for Friday, March 6, 2020 at 10:00 am. It doesn’t have any further dates for trial though so they must just update each night for the following day. I can check tomorrow to see if it has the trial for Monday.

ETA: They had trial all week except on Tuesday the 3rd.

 

[Niner]

Okay - I shall change my notes for the 3rd. Thanks!

 

[Suglo]

Okay - I shall change my notes for the 3rd. Thanks!

@Niner I just checked the docket. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9/2020 at 9:00 am. I’ll keep checking back each morning and let you know.

 

[Niner]

Thanks @Suglo - much appreciated!

 

[Niner]

Ah ha! Finally an article! Thursday's stuff! Day 3

Witnesses testify about finding Christina Williams’ remains during Charles Holifield murder trial – Monterey Herald

March 5, 2020

SALINAS — The UC Santa Cruz botanist who found the remains of Christina Williams Jan. 12, 1999 and the law enforcement officials that responded testified Thursday during the Charles Holifield murder trial.

Erica Murphy said she was conducting an invasive species survey at Fort Ord in the undeveloped land between Reservation Road and Imjin near Marina when she discovered the body. She said she was working with a co-worker going over the university’s property looking for ice plant, surveying square meter by square meter.
[.....]
Marina police Sgt. Jeff Carr testified to being the first official to respond. He said he met Murphy on Old County Road and later secured the area with crime tape. Carr testified that the remains were about 500 yards from the dirt road in a flat clearing about 200 square feet, with trees and varied terrain nearby.

Kyle O’Connor, a Marina police officer at the time, testified to meeting Carr on the dirt road. As Carr led him to the remains, O’Connor recorded video of the way in with a camcorder. Like Carr, he said he didn’t get any closer than 20 feet to the remains to leave them undisturbed for the proper authorities to examine. Prosecutors played the choppy video for the courtroom to view.

James Miller, who worked as a detective for the coroner’s division of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in 1999, said he arrived at the scene of the remains around 6 p.m. Jan. 12. He testified that law enforcement officials did not find the skull until the next morning in a nearby grove of trees.
[.....]
Former FBI special agent Richard Lack, who ran the FBI’s investigation into Christina Williams’ disappearance, started his testimony Wednesday and continued into Thursday. Lack testified that the FBI’s investigation started shortly after the disappearance.
[.....]
Silver testified Wednesday she had been Holifield’s on-again, off-again girlfriend. While she wasn’t familiar with Old County Road, she identified the dirt road in photos and remembered going to the area with Holifield. She said he once threatened to kill her when they were out in the area. Silver also testified to Holifield sexually assaulting her and said he had told her he was arrested for making a woman get in his car by waving a BB gun at her.
[.....]
Holifield is currently serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad for attempted kidnapping and making criminal threats against a woman in September 1998. Holifield also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983.

The trial is scheduled to resume Friday.

 

[Niner]

Here's Day 2 - Wednesday, 3/5

Law enforcement officials testify at Charles Holifield murder trial – Monterey Herald

March 4, 2020

SALINAS — A sworn peace officer who was working as a Bureau of Land Management ranger at the time of Christina Williams’ disappearance and an FBI agent who investigated her disappearance and death in 1998 were among the witnesses who testified Wednesday in Charles Holifield’s murder trial.

Ranger Ronnie Lewis opened the second day of the trial by talking about his two run-ins with Holifield at Fort Ord in the year before 13-year-old Christina Williams disappeared while walking her dog in her military housing neighborhood on June 12, 1998. Lewis testified he caught Holifield fishing without a permit with his girlfriend, Lisa Johnson, in a restricted area.
[.....]
FBI special agent Glenn Milnor, who worked the Christina Williams investigation, said he conducted an interview with Holifield July 24, 1998.
[.....]
Steve Neff, who owns Neff Mill and Cabinet where Holifield was employed, said he knew Holifield’s brother Robert who recommended Charles for the job. He testified Holifield lived in a room in a commercial building at the time of the Christina Williams investigation.
[.....]
Prosecutors also called Rick Stemple, the landlord who Holifield was scheduled to meet the evening Christina Williams disappeared, to testify. Stemple said Holifield and Lisa Johnson, who introduced herself as Lisa Holifield, were set to meet him about an apartment in Carmel Valley. He said he didn’t recall the time of their appointment, but figured it must have been 5 or 6 p.m. since he was a teacher who was in class earlier that day. Stemple said he arrived at the apartment to meet the couple, who never showed.

 

[Niner]

Monday, March 9th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. State witnesses: Alice Williams (Christina's mother). Michael Williams (Christina's father). Debbie B. (got choked by defendant May of 1979). Dina J. (raped by defendant April of 1983). Former Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller (who was a detective in 1983). Trial continues on 3/4.
3/3/20 Tuesday: No court.
3/4/20 Wednesday Day 2: State witnesses: Ranger Ronnie Lewis. FBI special agent Glenn Milnor (conducted interview with Holifield). Steve Neff (owns Neff Mill and Cabinet where Holifield was employed). Rick Stemple (landlord of Holifield). Frank Johns (neighbor). Linda Silver (GF of Holifield). Former FBI special agent Richard Lack (ran the FBI’s investigation into Christina's disappearance. No other info available. Trial continues on 3/5.
3/5/20 Thursday Day 3: State witnesses: Former FBI special agent Richard Lack (ran the FBI’s investigation into Christina's disappearance. Erica Murphy (UC Santa Cruz botanist who found Christina's body). Marina police Sgt. Jeff Carr (the first official to respond). Kyle O’Connor (a Marina police officer at the time). James Miller (worked as a detective for the coroner’s division of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in 1999). Trial continues on 3/6.
3/6/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9.

 

[Niner]

Prosecution rests in Charles Holifield murder trial – Monterey Herald

March 9, 2020

SALINAS — The prosecution rested its case Monday in the Charles Holifield murder trial after calling a forensic anthropologist who worked the autopsy of Christina Williams and a senior criminalist who analyzed DNA found on the 13-year-old victim’s clothes.

The trial will resume March 16.

more in article.

 

[Niner]

Well - couldn't find anything about Friday's witnesses....

 

[Suglo]

Prosecution rests in Charles Holifield murder trial – Monterey Herald

March 9, 2020

SALINAS — The prosecution rested its case Monday in the Charles Holifield murder trial after calling a forensic anthropologist who worked the autopsy of Christina Williams and a senior criminalist who analyzed DNA found on the 13-year-old victim’s clothes.

The trial will resume March 16.

more in article.

@Niner So they had trial yesterday and then continued it to 3/16/2020 at 8:30 am. I’ll check back the next morning to update you.

 

[Niner]

Monday, March 16th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
Trial info from (Day 1-3 3/2/20 to 3/5/20) reference post #92 here:
CA - CA - Christina Williams, 13, Seaside, 12 June 1998
3/6/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9.
3/9/20 Monday Day 5: State witnesses: Forensic anthropologist (who worked the autopsy-no name given). Eric Halsing (Senior criminologist who specializes in forensic DNA analysis at the State Dept. of Justice’s Jan Bashinski Laboratory in Richmond). Dr. Alison Galloway (retired UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor, performed autopsy). The prosecution rested their case. Trial will resume of 3/16.

 

[Suglo]

Monday, March 16th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
Trial info from (Day 1-3 3/2/20 to 3/5/20) reference post #92 here:
CA - CA - Christina Williams, 13, Seaside, 12 June 1998
3/6/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9.
3/9/20 Monday Day 5: State witnesses: Forensic anthropologist (who worked the autopsy-no name given). Eric Halsing (Senior criminologist who specializes in forensic DNA analysis at the State Dept. of Justice’s Jan Bashinski Laboratory in Richmond). Dr. Alison Galloway (retired UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor, performed autopsy). The prosecution rested their case. Trial will resume of 3/16.

@Niner The court docket says that trial continues tomorrow at 0900 but don’t be surprised if this one is also postponed in the next day or so like Robert Durst’s one has been. I’m anticipating that all the courts in California will close down soon.

 

[Niner]

Okay - thank you for the heads up!

 

[Niner]

I'm going to post this anyway - Just in case it is still on going. And when we get some answers - I'll change it.

Tuesday, March 17th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
Trial info from (Day 1-3 3/2/20 to 3/5/20) reference post #92 here:
CA - CA - Christina Williams, 13, Seaside, 12 June 1998
3/6/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9.
3/9/20 Monday Day 5: State witnesses: Forensic anthropologist (who worked the autopsy-no name given). Eric Halsing (Senior criminologist who specializes in forensic DNA analysis at the State Dept. of Justice’s Jan Bashinski Laboratory in Richmond). Dr. Alison Galloway (retired UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor, performed autopsy). The prosecution rested their case. Trial will resume of 3/16.
3/16/20 Monday Day 6: No info – could be cancelled due to coronavirus.

 

[Suglo]

I'm going to post this anyway - Just in case it is still on going. And when we get some answers - I'll change it.

Tuesday, March 17th:
*Bench Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
Trial info from (Day 1-3 3/2/20 to 3/5/20) reference post #92 here:
CA - CA - Christina Williams, 13, Seaside, 12 June 1998
3/6/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9.
3/9/20 Monday Day 5: State witnesses: Forensic anthropologist (who worked the autopsy-no name given). Eric Halsing (Senior criminologist who specializes in forensic DNA analysis at the State Dept. of Justice’s Jan Bashinski Laboratory in Richmond). Dr. Alison Galloway (retired UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor, performed autopsy). The prosecution rested their case. Trial will resume of 3/16.
3/16/20 Monday Day 6: No info – could be cancelled due to coronavirus.

@Niner It does say there will be trial today at 9:00 am and I will check again tomorrow morning. This is one doesn’t have a jury so there is a good chance they are trying to wrap it up before the eventual shut down of the court.