By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK — After more than four months and nearly a dozen court dates for preliminary examinations, Debralynn Holland and Earl Dwayne Adkins will stand trial in Circuit Court for the dog-mauling death of Holland’s 5-year-old son, Kyle.
A final day of testimony Monday concluded with 25th District Court Judge David Zelenak binding Holland and Adkins over to Circuit Court for a likely trial. Holland faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony, second-degree
child abuse and accessory after the fact, a charge unrelated to the boy’s death but tied to allegations that Adkins grew marijuana plants at the Empire Street home.
Adkins is charged with owning a dangerous animal — a charge equivalent to involuntary manslaughter carrying a possible 15-year imprisonment — and intent to distribute and manufacture marijuana.
Holland and Kyle moved in with Adkins shortly before July 12, 2010, when police were called to Adkins’ house in the 1500 block of Empire Street after one of Adkins’ dogs mauled Kyle while he slept.
Before sending the matter to Circuit Court, numerous hearings presented testimony from police investigators, neighbors, friends and forensic experts. Kyle suffered more than 80 puncture wounds and 250 abrasions during the attack by a 90-pound German shepherd/husky mix.
Holland and Adkins remained free on bond, and are scheduled to be arraigned in Wayne County Circuit Court Monday, Feb. 13.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)