APNewsBreak: Death penalty sought in Ark. slaying

Zachary Holly is charged with capital murder, rape, kidnapping and residential burglary in Jersey Bridgeman's disappearance and death in November. Holly, 28, pleaded not guilty Monday to all charges.

In charging paperwork filed last week, prosecutor Van Stone said Holly restrained the girl "with the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual activity, or sexual contact with Jersey Bridgeman." Authorities have said the girl was suffocated.

Stone told The Associated Press on Monday that he plans to pursue the death penalty against Holly.

One of Holly's lawyers, Pat Aydelott, said he could not talk about the facts of the case but that he would use all available resources to defend his client.

Authorities arrested Holly several days after Jersey Bridgeman was found dead Nov. 20 in a vacant home next to Holly's in Bentonville, a community about 215 miles northwest of Little Rock that is best known as the home of Wal-Mart's headquarters.

Jersey's death ended a short life marred by abuse. In late 2011, her father, David Bridgeman, and stepmother, Jana Bridgeman, were arrested for chaining her to a dresser in their home in the nearby town of Rogers. David Bridgeman told investigators that he restrained the girl to keep her from getting into medication and other things in the house.

David Bridgeman is serving an 18-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in June to false imprisonment, permitting the abuse of a minor and endangering the welfare of a minor. Jersey's stepmother is serving a 12-year sentence, plus three years for a probation revocation, after pleading guilty to the same charges.