Man released on parole after fatally stabbing his child’s mother more than 100 times: DA

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 59-year-old man who stabbed the mother of his child to death more than 100 times was released on parole in early October, the Kern County district attorney said.

The California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) has denied parole to Eric Holder, 59. It was determined that he posed a current and unreasonable risk to public safety.

According to court documents, on January 24, 1994, Holder was under the influence of methamphetamine with a friend in a motel room when he began threatening Stormi Martin, the mother of his child. He eventually forced her into a bathroom and stabbed her to death more than 100 times. He was holding their eight-month-old son. The child was cut several times across his body.

The coroner’s office determined the cause of death was stab wounds to Martin’s throat, chest and abdomen.

Holder said the motive for the killing was drug-related. He said he thought she was part of a conspiracy to come get him.

In July 1995, Holder pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, use of a knife and intentional injury to a child. Holder was sentenced in September 1995 to 32 years to life in state prison. He was denied parole in 2016 and 2021.

In 2016, Martin’s mother wrote a letter to the BPH stating that Martin “finally had enough and decided to leave.” At that point, Holder locked her and the child in the bathroom, tortured her and stabbed her more than 100 times, prosecutors said.

On October 9, 2024, the BPH held Holder’s third parole hearing. He was found ineligible for parole and currently posed an unreasonable danger to society.

The BPH has the option to release a prisoner on parole for a period of 15, 10, 7, 5 or 3 years. Holder’s commissioners issued a three-year denial. As such, Holders’ next parole hearing could take place in 18 months.

Holder served about 30 years in state prison. During the parole hearing, commissioners focused on Holder’s extensive criminal history, his bad behavior in prison, rehabilitation programs and drug and alcohol addiction. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office asked the BPH to deny parole.

“This was a truly heinous crime. Not only did Holder commit an act of brutal violence, but he did so while holding the victim’s young child. His heartless actions rightly support the significant prison sentence he will continue to serve,” said Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer.