Suspects In 2018 Murder Of Roebuck Couple May Face Death Penalty

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Nearly a year ago, a toddler was found covered in blood wandering a neighborhood in north Roebuck. The discovery of the little girl led to a gruesome discovery and a tragic story of murder, theft and drugs. Now, the suspects in that murder could face the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors in the case are seeking the death penalty against Zachary Phillips, 24, and Kristen Gullion, 30, were indicted by a grand jury on two counts of capital murder in the Aug. 2, 2018 deaths of Mary and Joe “Steve” Holt. They were found dead after a neighbor of the Holts’ called 911 saying a 3-year-old child covered in blood was on their doorstep.

Phillips and Guillion were each arrested in south Florida when they were in possession of the Holts' stolen car. Neighbors said the home where Phillips and Gullion had been staying was a drug halfway house run by Expect a Miracle treatment center.

Phillips was also indicted on a first-degree kidnapping charge because the Holts’ 3-year-old granddaughter was tied up with a phone cord and put in a bathtub while her grandparents were stabbed to death.

Birmingham homicide detective Joylyn Craig said she learned that Mary Holt was the caregiver of the toddler while her son and his wife were at work during the day. Normally she kept the child at her son's home, but on Aug. 2 she had taken the little girl to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Her son told police Mary Holt texted him around 11:30 a.m. saying they had a great time at the gardens.

The neighbor who called 911 told Craig that Phillips lived next door and she had spoken to him before. She said Phillips didn't like Steve Holt because Phillips believed Holt was trying to take pictures of him and seemed to have a "vendetta." On the morning of Aug. 2, the neighbor also saw a white female at the home.

Several neighbors in the community had cameras, Craig said, and one camera showed the Holt's 2012 Honda Civic pulling into their driveway at approximately 11:28 a.m. Another camera showed the same Civic leaving the street at 12:20 p.m., and never returning. Craig reported the car stolen.

When the Civic was searched, Craig said officers found clothing from the Holts, a red hooded-sweatshirt, the Holts' car registration, and a pair of boots inside a military bag that had one of the Holt's son's name on it.

Gullion was returned to Alabama from Florida in September 2018 and remains held without bond. Phillips was returned two weeks ago and also is held without bond. A court date has not yet been set for him.