UPDATE (10:14 p.m.): Cries from both Michael Holder and Logan Wainwright’s family filled the courtroom after the guilty verdict was read.
Sentencing immediately followed since Holder was found guilty of capital murder, and before it was handed down, Logan Wainwright’s family said they hope Holder can find peace within himself.
“You will have to answer for that when Jesus comes for us, and I can’t live with that thought of your blood on my hands,” Logan Wainwright’s mother Pamela said. “I pray that God has mercy on you.”
Logan’s grandfather, Herman Wainwright Jr. relayed Pamela’s sentiment.
“And if you’re lucky, you will get to hug him one day,” Herman Wainwright Jr. said. “We do not get that blessing. that was ripped away from us due a senseless act of violence.”
Holder took the stand in his own defense, and he testified that he defended himself from Logan Wainwright and said that he was in fear for his life after gunshots rang out that night.
“They were shooting at me, and it was coming from behind and toward the car, firing bullets,” Holder testified. “I was being shot at, and I was returning fire.”
But the jury disagreed, and after learning he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Holder stood before the judge and the Wainwright family and apologized for his actions on Jan. 28, 2023.
“I’d like to apologize,” Holder said. “I’m sorry to the Wainwright family. I didn’t know Logan. I never had an issue with him. I’m sorry that this happened. I’m sorry for my parents. I’m sorry for the loss of everyone.”
And for Wainwright’s family, they’re happy to see the man who killed their loved one face the consequences of their actions.
Wainwright’s mother, Pamela, said prayer has been the biggest help in getting through this two-year nightmare.
“We did it, baby boy,” Pamel”a said. I told you I would do it. We would get justice, and I love you so much. I love you.”
Holder’s attorneys didn’t want to comment but said they plan to appeal.
UPDATE (6:31 p.m.): Holder, following the guilty verdict, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for capital murder and 20 years in prison for aggravated assault.
ORIGINAL REPORTING:
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WKRG) — A Jackson County jury has found a Greene County man guilty of capital murder and aggravated assault. Michael Holder murdered his ex-wife’s boyfriend in Greene County in January 2023.
After Holder’s defense attorneys presented their case and closing arguments, the jury determined Michael Holder is guilty of capital murder and aggravated assault.
Michael Holder took the stand as his defense attorneys presented their case Thursday morning.
Holder is accused of killing Logan Wainwright, 22, after firing multiple rounds in his Dodge Challenger at his ex-wife’s home in Greene County.
His attorneys argued that Holder’s ex-wife, Renee, allowed him to go inside her trailer and reconcile their differences for their children on the day leading up to Wainwright’s murder.
Holder testified that when Renee came home from her trip, she left her trailer unlocked, which he said was common in Greene County. Therefore, he went inside to discuss the future of their relationship. He believed that she wanted him there and that she led him on to believe that they were getting back together.
“This woman led me on and manipulated me and got me to meet her there,” Holder expressed.
He testified that he was under the impression that he and Renee had made up, so later that night when he went back to her home, he ran into Renee and Logan who were also arriving back home from running errands.
Holder testified that Wainwright had a gun and ran back to his car, and once Wainwright was out of his sight, that’s when the gunfire erupted. Holder testified that he was fearful for his life, so he said he had to act quickly.
“I feared more for Renee’s life,” Holder testified. “All I could think about was my children. I’ve told everybody that knows me knows that, I said she’s important in their life. She’s still important. She’s my lady. They can’t live without their mother. They need their father.”
He believed Wainwright had a gun and was running to fire at him, so he started shooting at his car.
In closing arguments, prosecutors argued capital murder is the only justifiable punishment because Holder went into Renee’s home uninvited, so they argued that he burgarlized her home then killed Wainwright. They argued that Holder had the intention to kill because he had a shotgun by the front door of Renee’s home, so they argued that they waited for Wainwright to come home.
Defense argued that Holder did not burgarlize her home, but instead he was invited there, so capital murder isn’t the correct charge. His attorneys also argued that Renee allowed him in the home earlier that day before the murder, and she should’ve called law enforcement if Holder refused to leave her alone.
His defense attorneys argued that Holder acted in self-defense because it was late at night, so he couldn’t see when he heard gunshots come in his direction, and he believed the shots were coming from Logan.
The state rebutted and said that Holder is a manipulator and wanted control over Renee, and he didn’t want her to have a relationship with anyone else if they were not together.