Ricky case may see new witness - Girl who once lived with foster parents talks to detective

LANSING -- A surprise child witness could provide the jury in the Lisa Holland murder trial with an inside look at how Ricky Holland was treated in his licensed foster home five years ago.

The witness, a 12-year-old Florida girl, was 7 in 2001, when she was a foster child living in Tim and Lisa Holland's home in Jackson with Ricky, who was 3 years old then, a prosecutor said.

Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Mike Ferency told Lisa Holland's defense attorneys and Circuit Court Judge Paula Manderfield on Friday that a police detective interviewed the girl and her mother in Florida.

Ferency did not disclose what the witness told police, but he gave defense attorneys and the judge a recording of interviews with the girl and her mom.

Defense attorneys Mike Nichols and Andrew Abood are likely to oppose adding a witness midway through a trial expected to last up to six weeks. Manderfield will hear arguments Monday on whether to allow the new witness.

In 2001, Ricky Gann was placed by the Department of Human Services in Jackson County in the Hollands' licensed foster home. The Hollands adopted Ricky in 2003.

On July 2, 2005, the Hollands reported Ricky ran away from their Williamston-area home, prompting a nine-day search. The Ingham County Sheriff's Office searched their home for evidence July 3, 2005, , Sheriff's Detective Paul Nieusma testified Friday.

On Jan. 27, Tim Holland confessed his role in Ricky's death and led police to the boy's remains.

Tim Holland pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in Ricky's death. He has accused his wife of killing Ricky and is expected to testify against her.