Bond reduction denied, competency hearing ordered for child abuse/torture case

By Phil Foley
Special to the Tri-City Times

LAPEER — A judge refused Thursday to lower the $200,000 bond for an Attica Township man accused alongside his wife of torturing and severely abusing their infant son.

Troy Holt, who along with his wife, Alyssa, stands accused of abusing and torturing their infant son. The couple has been held in the Lapeer County Jail on $200,000 bonds since their arrest May 1.

Alyssa Holt was charged with first-degree child abuse and torture, while Troy Holt was charged with first-degree child abuse and torture and third-degree child abuse.

Appearing before Judge Laura Barnard in 71A District Court, Troy Holt and his attorney, Brian Kizy, waived his right to a preliminary exam — a mini-trial without a jury where the prosecution must prove there is probable cause that a crime occurred and that the defendant did it.

Kizy argued his client’s bond should be reduced saying, “He has no criminal record. He is not a flight risk.” 

Kizy said Troy Holt, who used to work for Consumers Energy, “needs to get back to work” to pay his legal bills, which are expected to be in the $15,000 range.

He noted that Troy Holt’s family, while supportive, lacks the resources to cover his legal expenses and that, although he is no longer employed by Consumers, Troy Holt has the skills to earn between $30 and $40 an hour.

Lapeer County Assistant County Prosecutor Danielle Cusson read a litany of injuries to the now nearly 1-year-old victim, including a broken radius, scapula ribs and “retinal hemorrhages are too numerous to count.” 

Cusson told the court that the doctor who examined the child told her it was the “most diverse type of injuries” they had seen in 26 years.

She noted that while the defense claimed the Holts had been investigating out-of-state housing in order for Troy to complete military training, it’s unusual for a military reservist to do that.

Cusson added that Troy Holt had a court-appointed attorney, but chose to retain private counsel.

Citing the age of the victim and severity of the injuries, Barnard continued the bond at $200,000 and referred the case to circuit court. 

“You can ask Judge (Michael) Nolan to reduce bond,” she told Kizy.

Troy Holt is set to appear before Judge Michael J. Nolan in 40th Circuit Court Aug. 31 for arraignment.

Alyssa Holt’s attorney, Colleen Starr, convinced Barnard Wednesday, Aug. 12, to grant her motion for a competency hearing. Starr declined to comment on the proceeding or about what happens next in the case.

Lapeer County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul Walton said it could be weeks or longer before the state’s Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline can complete an evaluation. 

“The bar’s pretty low,” he said, explaining the center will determine if Alyssa Holt is competent to stand trial, and can be held criminally responsible.

He said competency to stand trial simply means the defendant understands the charges they’re facing and that they can assist their attorney in their defense. 

He noted the center is the only one of its kind in the state and provides psychiatric services to the courts in all 83 counties.

While the Holts lived in the 900 block of Martin Drive in Attica Township, Alyssa Holt was taken into custody at a home on the 2000 block of Lily Court in Davison Township on May 1, while Troy Holt was taken into custody later in the day at Fort Custer in Battle Creek where he was attending Army Reserve training.

The arrests came after an investigation that began in November after the Holts brought their child to McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital suffering from multiple injuries. 

Lapeer County Prosecutor John Miller said the Holts’ parental rights have been terminated and the child is being cared for by foster parents.