Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Holmes offers statement of whereabouts

A Prescott man who was on the run from local authorities for a week said no one was willing to help him during his time on the run, making it impossible for him to leave the area.

Lamar D. Holmes, 30, pushed his way past a Nevada County jailer on Feb. 12. Area law enforcement officials combed Nevada and Hempstead counties in search of the fugitive for a week before capturing him in Hempstead County. Holmes had apparently been staying in an abandoned trailer though authorities still have not released information as to where Holmes was getting money for food while he was out.

When Holmes was taken to Hempstead County Detention Center upon his capture on Feb. 19, he spat at a photographer. However, when he was taken to the Nevada County Courthouse on Feb. 20 for arraignment on several charges including escape, he was vocal regarding his whereabouts during his week on the run.

Speaking to a television cameraman, Holmes said law enforcement efforts to sew up the area had worked. Holmes said hed tried to get help from several people, but most knew that he was on the run and refused to help him.

Holmes did admit to escaping police custody and to robbing a convenience store in Hempstead County after his escape. He said he was willing to admit to those things, but said he was being falsely accused of other illegal activities. He said he believed he could not get a fair trial and that was the reason he chose to run.

Holmes was being held on charges of aggravated robbery and illegal possession of a firearm for his alleged role in the October robbery of the Red-E-Mart on Highway 24. He has been in jail since December on an additional set of charges including fleeing.

Holmes has been assigned a public defender and met with that attorney before standing before Ninth Judicial Judge Duncan Culpepper Feb. 20. Holmes told Culpepper that he wants a different attorney. Culpepper declined the request.

Outside court, Holmes cited the lack of time spent with the attorney as one of the reasons for the request.

Following his court appearance, Ninth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Chris Thomason declined to comment on the progress of the case against Holmes and his complaint against the public defender.

Asked about Holmes admission of the robbery in Hempstead County, Thomason said, Ill let Mr. Holmes do all the admitting he wants.

Holmes was returned to jail in Hempstead County where hell be held until theres an opening in Nevada Countys unit.

On the subject of the escape, Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton said he was pleased that Holmes had been captured and said there have been some changes at the jail to protect against a repeat incident. Carlton said the jailer on duty at the time of the escape had not violated any policies, but said some additional safety practices are now in place.

One of those is an additional locked door at the side entrance of the jail. Those inside now must have a key in order to leave the building.