Woman Who Survived Suicide Pact Pleads No Contest to Rape Charge

Originally published by The Associated Press, June 6, 2002

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A woman who survived a suicide pact with her husband pleaded no contest Wednesday to charges of raping a 14-year-old girl.

Prosecutors say Jennifer and Patrick Holey formed a suicide pact after their 8-month-old daughter was taken away by state child protection workers in April and police asked to interview them about the rape.

The next day, the couple took painkillers allegedly supplied by Patrick Holey's mother. Patrick Holey died; Jennifer Holey was found alive but incoherent the next day.

She was initially charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct but on Wednesday pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings said he agreed to the reduced charge so the 14-year-old wouldn't have to testify.

Holey will be sentenced July 10. Third-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Patrick Holey's mother, Kathleen Holey, has been charged with two counts of assisted suicide for allegedly providing the drugs used by her son and daughter-in-law.