Kamarie Holland’s killer wants to waive appeals, expediting death penalty, prosecutor says
Editor’s note: This story includes reporting on a graphic, violent crime.
A man convicted for capital murder and sentenced to death in eastern Alabama will ask the state next week to waive all his criminal appeals, according to Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey.
Jeremy Williams, convicted of capital murder in the death of 5-year-old Kamarie Holland, has filed to waive his remaining appeals, Chancey said. Williams will appear at 9 a.m. on May 23 before Judge David Johnson, according to Chancey. If Williams’ request is accepted, it would expedite the process for him to be executed, according to Chancey.
The hearing will determine whether Williams is competent to waive his current and all future appeals, according to Chancey.
“The state of Alabama will be represented by the Attorney General’s office and both Jeremy and his counsel will be present for the hearing,” Chancey told the Ledger-Enquirer via email.
The appeals process can sometimes take decades for death penalty cases in Alabama, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.
The trial for Kamarie Holland’s death
Williams was convicted in April 2024 of capital murder for the death of a child under the age of 14, capital murder for killing Holland in the course of kidnapping, capital murder for killing her while committing first-degree rape, and capital murder for killing her while committing first-degree sodomy
During the trial, the jury was given testimony from Columbus Police Department officers who found Holland’s body at a Phenix City home. Those officers detailed how they found Holland under a tarp and insulation in the back of the home.
Jurors also viewed video of Williams assaulting Holland that was not shown to reporters or those in the gallery.
Dr. David Rydzewski, a forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Holland, testified that blood taken from Holland revealed methamphetamine and amphetamine in her body.
Holland’s assault and death came after Williams proposed Holland’s mother, Kristy Marie Siple, let him commit sexual offenses against Holland, and Siple agreed for $2,500, according to Lt. Steve Johnson of the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.
Siple pleaded guilty to human trafficking in the case, the Ledger-Enquirer reported. She agreed to serve a sentence of 20 years and testify against Williams as part of the plea.
Johnson said Williams confessed to several crimes to him on Christmas Day of 2021.