Wife Sent to Prison for Role in Rape

Originally published by The Associated Press, July 10, 2002

LANSING, Mich. — A teenager who survived a suicide pact that killed her husband was sentenced to prison Wednesday for her role in the rape of a 14-year-old girl.

Circuit Court Judge Thomas Brown sentenced Jennifer Holey, 19, to four to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said. Holey had pleaded no contest to criminal sexual conduct.

Prosecutors accused Holey of participating in her husband's alleged rape of the teenager on April 1.

Police asked to interview Jennifer and Patrick Holey about the rape and state child protection workers took their infant daughter, leading them to plan their suicides, prosecutors say.

On April 9, the couple took painkillers allegedly supplied by Patrick Holey's mother, Kathleen Holey. The overdose killed Patrick Holey. Jennifer Holey was found dirty and incoherent the next day along a rural road.

Kathleen Holey, 43, faces charges of assisted suicide. Her attorney, Ronald Zawacki, said he expects a hearing in the next two months to decide whether she is competent to stand trial.

Jennifer Holey is due to give birth to her second child in August. Her family is trying to win custody of that baby as well as her daughter, who is now 11 months old and in foster care.

Her attorney, Eric Tomal, said it isn't likely Holey will retain custody of the children because her prison sentence is too long. Tomal had urged a lighter sentence because Holey had no criminal record, but said the sentence was within state guidelines.

"She was hoping for less time, but she knew all along what could happen," he said. "It was a tense, emotional morning."