Bond set at $1 million for Eclectic teen accused of killing parents

ELMORE CO., AL (WSFA) - The teen at the center of a shocking Elmore County murder case returned to court Friday where a judge increased his bond to a combined $1 million.

Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and 130 pounds, 17-year-old Jesse Holton appeared before Judge Glenn Goggans for a second time this week, this time for the death of his mother.

Investigators say Holton's parents died gruesome deaths, both shot in the head.  His father, former Eclectic mayor Mike Holton, was reportedly shot in the back of the head with the family gun. His mother, April Holton, was found in a defensive position with a gunshot through her finger, into the front of her head. She was rushed to a Montgomery hospital in critical condition where she died on Monday.

"We wanted the bond to be increased because of the extreme violence in this case," Chief Deputy District Attorney, C.J. Robinson said. "His parents were shot in the head, very violent crime. The nature of this is as horrific as you can imagine. Based on that, we believe he is a serious danger to the community."

Holton's combined bond is something his court-appointed attorney, Tom Azar, plans to change.

"I believe it to be extraordinarily high," Azar stated.  "For a 17-year-old child? Unreasonable."

The case is as difficult of a family situation as some prosecutors have seen. The defendant shares the same grieving family as the victims.

"It's a very unique situation," Robinson admitted. "We are going to do our very best to work through it, be professional and try to explain what to expect to both sides of the family."

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling prevents prosecutors from seeking capital offenses for juveniles 18 years old or younger. District Attorney Randall Houston said Friday he disagreed with the ruling, as it hampers his ability to prosecute those who know the difference between right and wrong to the fullest extent of the law.

"We will go where the evidence takes us," Robinson said.  "For right now, based on Supreme Court decisions and the law regarding a defendant, that is his age, which is 17. It's just a murder charge."

With murder, each count could carry a punishment of up to 99 years, if convicted. The defense requested a preliminary hearing Friday in an attempt to keep the case out of grand jury.

"I've spoken with my client very briefly," Azar said. "it's the first opportunity I've had to speak with him. From our perspective, we are going to proceed under a theory of "we're not guilty"."

Holton will return to court in late September.

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