John Hollins Sr. Dies at 83

John Hollins Sr., who defended Jeffrey Womack for more than 30 years after he was wrongfully accused in one of Nashville's most notorious murders, has died at 83. 

From the Post:

He was perhaps best known for his role in one of the most notorious cases in Nashville’s history, the murder of Trimble. On Easter Sunday in 1975, police discovered [Marcia] Trimble’s body in a garage near her Green Hills home after a search that had lasted more than a month. Suspicion immediately fell on Jeffrey Womack, her then-15-year-old neighbor, and would follow him for more than 30 years. He was arrested for the killing in 1979, but ultimately not indicted, leaving him to live under the presumption of guilt for most of his adult life. And from 1975 on, Hollins stood by him as his attorney.

In 2008, Womack’s claims of innocence and Hollins’ dedication were vindicated when DNA evidence implicated serial rapist Jerome Barrett in the crime and led to his conviction the next year. Womack and Hollins co-authored "The Suspect: A Memoir," a book about the saga released in 2012.

"He was absolutely a fierce advocate and just a consummate attorney in the old school style of trying cases,” [David] Raybin said. “Anybody will tell you that."

"As we know, the boy didn't commit it. Hollins was so aggressive and so vigorous in that boy's defense, and everyone thought that Jeffrey committed this crime. And if it wasn't for John Hollins… that boy would be in prison today and John saved him."

Hollins was a member of the

that included, among others: Jim Neal who became a Watergate prosecutor; George Barrett, a civil rights crusader and major player in state and local politics; and John Jay Hooker, the perennial candidate for governor and U.S. senator, former publisher and part-owner of the Nashville Banner most recently known for his right-to-die fight. 

Hollins is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Sue Vaught Hollins; three children Laura Grey Hollins, John Jordan Hollins, Jr. (Laura), Carol Hollins Roden, and four grandchildren, Caroline Elizabeth Roden, Jordan Kelly Roden, Meredith Grace Hollins and Emily Bryant Hollins and many lifelong friends.

A visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 11, at from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.