Hollingsworth pleads not guilty

MOBILE, Ala. - Richard Hollingsworth, 18-years-old, cried as he was led into the courtroom. Hollingsworth stood before Judge George Hardesty, head bowed, shoulders hunched, and handcuffed. The teenager is accused of killing Mobile Police Officer, Brandon Sigler.

The state asked for no bond. It considers Hollingsworth a flight risk. Assistant District Attorney Ashley Rich pointed to events after the shooting. Police said Hollingsworth crashed his pick-up truck trying to get away.

"He attempted to hide the murder weapon, then went back and made a decision to take it back with him," said Rich. The gun had been stolen from a Mobile County Sheriff's Deputy, in July of 2008. Someone tried to scratch off the serial number.

Defense Attorney Jim Sears defended his client's action. "He just needed time to sort things out," said Sears.

Rich said Hollingsworth's problems with the law started well beyond the night of the shooting. "He has issues with his family, and was moved from different homes over the last couple of years," said Rich.

The state said Hollingsworth was on probation from the Strickland Youth center at the time of Sigler's murder. Defense attorney, Jim Sears wouldn't comment on the teen's troubled past.

"As a parent of six kids, I don't know any family that doesn't have problems at home. His parents were divorced and he went to live with is father for a while, during some critical years," said Sears.

Hollingsworth turned 18 in April, and Sears said he will seek youthful offender status, "I believe he is a kid, the youthful offender law was made for. He is only 18, just barely 18-years-old."

That decision will be left to a judge. A preliminary hearing has been set for July 7th.

Hollingsworth attended Baker High School, in Mobile. But did not graduate. He earned his GED.

Family members for Hollingsworth sat in court Friday visibly upset, but did not want to speak to the media. Defense Attorney Sears said, "They're devastated. Not only for their son, but Officer Sigler's family too." As for Hollingsworth, "He has been sorry from the very beginning, from the second this happened. Very sorry," said Sears.