Hes looking for a fresh start now. But I also pray for my family., Asked how the suspects are holding up, Darden said, Theyre messed up. People say I showed no emotion. Better late than never! Holton, then 17, was charged with murdering his parents Mike and April Holton (pictured all together) at their home in Eclectic, Alabama in September 2016 The charges were dropped against. 'April suffered defensive wounds to her hands, where it appeared she threw her hands up as if shield herself. If I had been in school I would likely have been partying; drinking and smoking.. These statistics are collected and published . Its not possible.. He, in turn, maintains that his father murdered his mother. Now, if youre here wondering about the details of their case, youve come to the right place. An old Twitter page in Jesse Madison Holtons name dates to 2012. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. pic.twitter.com/efukTiHFsA. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. His hands were in the handcuffs when authorities returned. When Elmore County Sheriffs deputy left the home of Michael Holton at 4:48 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2016, it seemed as if a family crisis was subsiding. Apr 29, 2023,01:00pm EDT. 4,990. You have permission to edit this article. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Defense attorney Tom Azar talks about murder charges against Madison Holton being dropped. Mikes diaries also indicated a man who felt like he couldnt go on without his marriage. 'My office has reason to believe any of these three scenarios could have occurred, but we have no proof to support any of the three theories beyond a reasonable doubt,' Houston said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Jesse Madison Holton says he lived an unimaginable nightmare; police suspected him of murdering both of his parents, April Holton and Mike Holton, former mayor of Eclectic, Alabama. Then Im going to my aunts Saturday for horseback riding and shooting, and I have a cousins birthday party Saturday. District Attorney Randall Houston explained, The state received additional evidence in the Holton case, which we did not have at the time of the 2017 presentation to the Elmore County Grand Jury, and I believe that may have affected the outcome.. Michael had also been under the influence of hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol at the time of the murder. Powered by. Either Jesse (Madison) Holton killed his father and mother; the father of Jesse (Madison) Holton killed (his) mother then Jesse killed his father; the father of Jesse (Madison) Holton killed Jesses mother and then killed himself., BREAKING: murder charges dropped against Jesse Madison Holton, Holton was accused of killing parents April and Michael Holton in Sept 2016, trial was scheduled to begin today. Mr. He did not attend his parents funerals. I hope you have fun playing your music for our lord because I know he will enjoy hearing it. Mike, a former mayor of of the town, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head. April Holton, 37, died a day later from severe head trauma. But most of the time it was more of, like, behind closed doors.'. After hearing her call, he said that he jumped up, kicked the door open, and saw his dad with his mom in a headlock before he went screaming to the neighbors to get help. Michael Holton, the former mayor of the town, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head. Madison Holton is now facing murder charges in connection with the shooting deaths of his parent on Sept. 11, 2016. Jesse Madison Holton is the eldest of April and Michaels three sons, and technically, because he shares the same first name as his now late father, Jesse, he usually goes by Madison. 'With the angles of the wounds and the entry and exit points of the wounds, there is just no way Mike Holton could have shot himself,' Franklin said at the time. Thornton said, however, shell casings from an unrelated incident in Auburn in which he is a suspect matched one used in Dadeville. Mike Holton was pronounced dead at the scene, and April Holton died some days later from her wound. According to our research of Alabama and other state lists, there were 10 registered sex offenders living in Eclectic as of April 15, 2023. There was evidence of drug use recovered at the home, he said. Some of the most popular drinks can be awful for your health - with the sweetest ones doing the most damage, What it's really like being married to a healthy-eating fanatic: Dr Chris van Tulleken banned ready meals, tuts at his wife's favourite Pret sandwich - and then he came for her peanut butter. If Michael, a former Mayor, shot his soon to be ex-wife and then himself, he would have had to place the gun upside down and angle it with his left hand to make the second shot, which seems highly improbable. He served in the National Guard, Montgomery Fire Department, Alexander City Fire Department and Millbrook Fire Department and on the Air Evac Lifeteam, says his obit. For more on this case and others like it, watch"Dateline: Secrets Uncovered," airing Wednesdays at 8/7c on Oxygenor stream episodes here. At least four different caliber weapons were fired, Thornton said. ELMORE CO., AL (WSFA) - The Elmore County Sheriff's Office is confirming that it has made an arrest in connection to a homicide in Eclectic. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Eclectic, AL. Holton will be arraigned in Elmore County on April 26, 2018. And then everything that happened over the next couple of weeks was just crazy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said Mike Holton called the sheriffs department and filed a complaint about the home being trashed following a weekend party. After a search during which deputies took photos and confiscated drug paraphernalia, officers informed Michael Holton he could go to the juvenile probation office the next morning to sign a petition against his son, Franklin said. How can he get that lost time back? pic.twitter.com/DlsuZncaz3, Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) April 18, 2019, District Attorney Randall Houston said in a 2018 news conference, Ive never been confronted with a situation like this where my prosecutor did not believe it was ethical to go ahead with the charges. There were several times I woke up in jail and thought I was in a dream. He will truly be missed!, Mike you were a very close friend and I will miss you a lot, wrote a friend. And if you here curious about where he is now, then youve come to the right place. Mike Holton was right-handed and shot right-handed, so its not probable that he shot himself in the back of the head on the left side., April Holton received a gunshot wound to one of her fingers on her right hand, consistent with a defensive woundApril Holtons right hand was covering the top right portion of her head, where the bullet enteredThe medical examiner who performed both autopsies characterized the injuries at close contact wounds. I love them and have kept up with them with social media, Madison Holton said. Investigation Discovery's 'American Monster: Two Families' unravels the mystery behind the murder of April Holton and Mike Holton, former mayor of Eclectic, Alabama, by examining their lives and the contradicting evidence at the scene of the crime, with the help of archival footage and one-on-one interviews with their friends, family, and the Read More: How Did April and Mike Holton Die? that's what happened in eclectic, alabama, after the killing of april and michael holton. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. He is free to live his life. He claimed his parents went into the bedroom and got involved in a physical fight. The 10 Best New Movies On Netflix In 2023: April Edition. Special Agent Jess Thornton, the lead investigator in the case, testified there were 50 to 60 people inside the hall, which is 38-feet-long and 26-feet-wide. Anna Wintour arrives arm-in-arm with rumored beau Bill Nighy at 2023 Met Gala. A nightmare.. Through the program, the brothers were placed with the Owenby family in the tiny town of Eclectic, Alabama, about two hours away. At the time, Holton told investigators that he gets 'easily agitated' if he doesn't have access to marijuana and Adderall. Dadeville Sweet 16 birthday party that left four people dead and 32 injured. Crime in Eclectic, Alabama (AL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map All Cities Alabama, Alabama smaller cities, Alabama small towns Eclectic main page US Crime Crime rate in Eclectic, Alabama (AL) Explore crime rates for Eclectic, AL including murder, assault, and property crime statistics. Madison Holton went to a neighbor and told them something happened at his parents house and that there was an argument of some kind. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. The dad was upset the house was trashed, the sheriff told Elmore & Autauga News. Holton's two younger siblings were placed into the care of relatives. The proceeding was closed and his criminal record is now sealed. DA Randall Houston issued this statement: @wsfa12news pic.twitter.com/eB1PeVhUmP, Jenn Horton (@JennWSFA) October 22, 2018, The DA added in the news conference: If evidence ever develops otherwise, to convince us beyond a reasonable doubt that we could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, then the murder charges could be reinstated., Its been a difficult case from the beginning, he said. Jeffrey Cofer, 59, of Eclectic, was charged with attempted murder. "Madison is released from any obligations of his bond. April, who also suffered a head wound, died in the hospital the following day, Holton told investigators that his father had killed his mother before turning the gun on himself during the horrific shooting. Michael, with a gunshot wound to the back of his head, was pronounced dead at the scene, whereas April, who was breathing at the time, was taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, she passed away a day later as well, from severe head trauma. They tried deploying gas to bring him out of the house. Mankiewicz asked. ECSO deputies responded to the Holton residence, arriving a short time later, and spoke with Michael Holton in the front yard, Franklin said. All rights reserved. EXCLUSIVE: Netflix has rounded out the cast as production begins for its Shondaland murder-mystery The Residence, including Kylie Minogue who will play herself Jane Curtin (SNL) and Eliza . They had pretty much reached their wits end, Franklin said. A deputy with the Elmore County Sheriffs Office came over to see what was wrong and noticed that Jesse had been handcuffed behind his back by his father as a form of punishment. That original indictment will be dismissed and Holton is now charged with two counts of murder. 4,012. 'He's going to think wrong for the rest of his life.'. And because Jesses behavior in the weeks that followed seemed strange, almost emotionless, the officers charged him with his parents murder. 'Yeah, sometimes I could,' Holton responded. Now 19, he is working to get his life back on track. Low near 45F. April, youll be missed dearly, pretty girl. He has no interest in doing that. "I had sexual relations with (a victim known to Smith)," Smith admitted in court. He seemed more concerned about missing homecoming, school and things of that nature, Franklin said. The comments below have not been moderated. This young man amazes me. I dont think his intent was to harm or hurt the kid. '11 Minutes' on Dateline airs Friday at10pm/9c on NBC. What had happened in just 11 minutes? The only other person in the house that had means is (Madison Holton).. Michael, who died at the scene, had one gunshot wound to the head. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Just 11 minutes later, Holton appeared at his neighbor's house and said his parents were fighting. But as he was ambidextrous, it didnt rule out the possibility in its entirety. 'You ever have your hands on that gun that day?' Market data provided by Factset. Sheriff Bill Franklin said that deputies . Investigators also believed Michael would have had to fire the weapon with his left-hand, even though he was right-handed. April was still alive, but she wouldnt live for long. 'The bullet went through one of her fingers and then into her head. He credits the support of April Holtons family, and his church family at New Hope Baptist in Titus for being a positive influence. Controversial NHS Tavistock transgender clinic is threatened with court action by watchdog after failing to Do not sell or share my personal information. April was a member of First Baptist Church of Eclectic since her childhood, where she was active in the Youth Mission and won Bible drills, the obit says. There were times when I would ponder what happened. Investigation Discoverys American Monster: Two Families unravels the mystery behind the murder of April Holton and Mike Holton, former mayor of Eclectic, Alabama, by examining their lives and the contradicting evidence at the scene of the crime, with the help of archival footage and one-on-one interviews with their friends, family, and the authorities. Killed in the shooting were Philstavious Phil Dowdell, 18, Shaunkivia Nicole Keke Smith, 17, Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23. And its Season 4 episode, Two Families, chronicling the brutal murder of husband and wife April and Mike Holton, examines the same concept. The pioneering heart operation that only takes an hour and doesn't leave a scar is performed on first Briton, Martin Lewis reveals how to get a cheaper supermarket shop and FREE food. Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student from Homewood, was abducted from a convenience store in Auburn in October 2019. According to Franklin, the suspect has a mental health issue. Witnesses reported hearing rapid fire and Thornton testified one defendant admitted his gun had been altered to be fully automatic and investigators believe another gun had also been converted to automatic. Madison told authorities that after the deputy left, his parents went into a bedroom to talk and began to argue. EXCLUSIVE: High-ranking Met Police officer on 100,000-a-year who was found to be a regular user of King Charles' Coronation LIVE: The monarch's unexpected defender from Down Under, Beatrice and Eugenie in Dr Martin Scurr: Why have I always had a runny nose for 30 years - and what can I do to make it stop? Madison was handcuffed and sitting on the couch when deputies arrived. Man charged after officer-involved shooting in Elmore County, Pedestrian killed after being hit by vehicle on I-65, Arrest made in 2020 Butler County murder case, Crenshaw Christian Academy teacher gives life lessons through art, Montgomery attorney pleads guilty to financial exploitation of the elderly, Alabama lawmakers introduce bills targeting drag shows, gender terms, Another possible environmental situation under investigation at Autauga County school. In addition, the parents were undergoing a divorce. Mike Holton, a former mayor of Eclectic, asked investigators what it would take to file a juvenile petition against his son, the sheriff said. Madisons parents had reached a breaking point earlier that day after Michael Holton, the former mayor and fire chief of the small town of Eclectic, Alabama, had gotten a call from a concerned parent about a drug-filled party going on at his home while he was at work, according to Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. It was the final straw for both Michael and April, who were separated at the time and trying to navigate parenting the rebellious teen amidst their break up. The deputy left but about a half hour later, a neighbor called the cops to say Holton showed up and claimed his parents were fighting. Madison has since completed his high school education and moved out of the Elmore Country to start his life afresh. As the years passed by, things only deteriorated, and by the time Madison was in high school, he was in a complete rebellious phase, which only raged further when his parents separated and filed for divorce. April Holton was sent to a Montgomery hospital, but died. The parents told him if he messed up again, he would go to jail. Madison was, of course, immediately eyed as a suspect because of what had taken place just moments before. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! We won't share it with anyone else. Of the six, only Willie Brown denied being at the party. 'When we cannot find the truth, it is impossible to do justice.'. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 1,002. It was just an extremely hard thing to do with everything else that was going on. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. The highlight of every high schoolers life is senior year. By Anneta Konstantinides For Dailymail.com, Published: 16:19, 19 April 2019 | Updated: 18:13, 19 April 2019. Holton was charged with first-degree murder in both of his parents deaths, 'I don't think that,' the teen responded. Like, the people I slept with, like, what do they think about it right now? he asked in the call. ECLECTIC, Ala. (WSFA) - A man was taken into custody after an Elmore County Sheriffs deputy was shot and injured in a standoff near Eclectic overnight. . Despite all this, in late 2018, the District Attorneys office dropped all the charges against Jesse. The case will be highlighted on NBC's "Dateline," airingFriday night. Holtons attorney, Thomas J. Azar Jr. said previously an expert has examined the note and determined the handwriting is that of Michael Holton. On September 11, 2016, Madison, living with his father, threw a party at his home that involved alcohol as well as drugs. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. But then I thought about all the people that were supporting me. Thanks to her new 16m Harry Potter TV deal, it's JK Rowling who's having the last laugh over Scientists discover what happens seconds before you die - activity in the brain and heart RAMPS UP, Trendy hard floors could be to blame for your foot pain (and there is a simple way to stop it). Holton,. At the prelim, if I recall, the deputy that spoke that day said theres no evidence that he tried to clean up, no evidence he changed his clothes.. Investigators initially believed it looked like a murder-suicide but after the state pathologist determined Michael had been shot in the back of the head, the death was classified as a homicide. It was just an extremely hard thing to do with everything else that was going on. Then a follow-up grand jury dropped the murder indictment in the death of Mike Holton and returned indictments for murder in the deaths of both parents. Like, Oh, damn. Legal Statement. I just thank God that he kept my head on straight through the whole thing. And soon, Michael became a firefighter, and the newlyweds started a family together, welcoming three children into their lives. He planned on trying to get into the University of Alabama at Birmingham to study history before pursuing a degree in law and becoming a defense attorney so as to help others. From everything that Ive been through I have no doubt in my mind that the sheriff will try to put me back in jail, Madison said, telling Mankiewicz hes considering one day becoming a defense attorney to help others like himself. Use at your own risk. Those were a 9 millimeter, 22 caliber, 40 caliber and 45 caliber. And when April turned nine, she also went to live with her brothers at the Owenby household. But still, he looks back at times. So I caught up with 'The Walking Dead'in the office. The records have been sealed as he was granted youthful offender status. Franklin says they spoke to the shooter over a PA system for two to three hours. Most of the suspects said he fired first, Thornton said.