Accused Killer Of Christina Williams Waives Right To Jury Trial

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — A Monterey County homicide case that attracted widespread, national media attention for more than 20 years may finally find closure in March. Charles Holifield has waived his right to a jury trial and will be tried by a judge on March 2 in the kidnapping and killing of 13-year-old Christina Williams.

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office entered into the agreement after consulting with the Williams family, who expressed their desire for closure and finality of the judgment in their daughter’s case, according to a recent announcement from the DA's office. The decision was also partly based on an executive order issued in March by Governor Gavin Newsom, which created an effective moratorium on the death penalty in California, the DA's office said.

When Holifield, now 58, appears before Judge Pamela L. Butler in March, he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. His waiver of writs and appeals will terminate the appellate process and will result in a final judgment when his trial before Butler is completed, the DA's office said.

Holifield is accused of kidnapping and murdering Christina on June 12, 1998. According to media reports, she was out walking her dog when she was abducted. The dog returned home, but the young teen never did. Her body was finally found in Marina on January 12, 1999, according to the DA's office.

For years, the search for her killer continued. Celebrities took up the cause, including Clint Eastwood and Mariah Carey, to help bring awareness to the cold case.

Finally, in 2016, DNA found on Christina's clothing was matched to Holifield. On April 6, 2017, the DA's office announced he would be arrested and charged with murder (he was already serving time for attempted kidnapping in another case). A death penalty trial for Holifield was originally set for October 2019.