Univision News recently interviewed Orlando criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas about the case of Lakeisha Holloway, a 34-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and battery with a deadly weapon in a case stemming from a 2015 Las Vegas Strip crash. Holloway drove her vehicle onto the sidewalk near Planet Hollywood, striking 37 pedestrians and killing 32-year-old Jessica Valenzuela.
For years, the Lakeisha Holloway case was mired in questions over her mental health. Holloway, originally from Oregon, had been living in her car shortly before the incident and described experiencing a stressful and emotional crisis. Police ruled the incident an intentional act after surveillance footage showed her vehicle mounting the sidewalk multiple times. Authorities also found marijuana in her system at the time.
After mental health evaluations, Holloway was declared incompetent to stand trial in 2019 and 2020, delaying the legal process for nearly a decade. She was eventually found competent, and her trial was rescheduled multiple times before she accepted a guilty plea in August 2025.
Sentencing was set for September 25, 2025. Holloway faces a potential prison term of 25 years or life with the possibility of parole after 10 years.
Understanding Mental Incompetency in the Lakeisha Holloway Case
Mental competency plays a crucial role in Nevada’s criminal justice system, requiring defendants to understand the proceedings against them and assist in their defense.
“When cases are delayed for such a long time before going to trial, it’s often because the court determined that the defendant was mentally incompetent to face trial,” Rivas told Univision. “In such cases, they can be sent involuntarily to a hospital for treatment and rehabilitation—which is exactly what happened.”
Nevada law mandates that defendants must have two key abilities to be considered competent: understanding the nature of criminal charges and court proceedings and the capacity to assist their attorney in mounting a defense.
Mental health factors considered as mitigating circumstances in Nevada include extreme mental or emotional disturbance at the time of the crime and consistent management of mental illness as recommended by professionals. Another factor is evidence that mental illness may have contributed to criminal behavior. These factors can significantly impact sentencing outcomes, potentially reducing penalties from maximum sentences to more lenient alternatives.
Second-Degree Murder Sentencing in Nevada
Second-degree murder in Nevada carries severe penalties, typically involving imprisonment for 25 years with eligibility for parole after 10 years served or life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 10 years. The specific sentence depends on various factors, including the defendant’s criminal history, the presence of mitigating or aggravating circumstances, and the particular details of the case.
“The judge has a wide range of discretion,” Rivas said. “The defendant could face up to 25 years in prison or a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 10 years served.” This discretionary range allows courts to consider individual circumstances, including mental health factors, when determining appropriate sentences.
Expert Analysis and Legal Strategy
Criminal defense in cases involving mental health requires specialized knowledge and strategic planning. Rivas emphasized that presenting effective mental health mitigation involves comprehensive documentation of the defendant’s psychiatric history, expert testimony from mental health professionals, and evidence of compliance with treatment recommendations when applicable.
The defense strategy in cases like the Lakeisha Holloway murder case often focuses on humanizing the defendant while acknowledging the severity of the crimes committed. This careful approach requires a calculated balance between accepting responsibility and presenting mitigating circumstances that may influence sentencing decisions.
Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney Jose Rivas is a veteran bilingual TV Legal Analyst who has appeared on Univision, Fox News, Telemundo, and many other news outlets.