Appeals court orders hearing for woman on death row for slaying of man, 80, in Amarillo

HOUSTON — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has ordered a hearing to address allegations raised in an appeal from a woman sent to death row for the 1996 robbery and slaying of an 80-year-old Amarillo man at his apartment.

Brittany Holberg says she had deficient legal help during the punishment phase of her capital murder trial. The 40-year-old woman also contends her trial lawyers told her now-deceased grandfather they intended to "throw the trial."

The appeals court Wednesday ordered Holberg's trial court to hold a hearing within 90 days so trial attorneys and their investigators can respond.

Holberg is identified in court documents as a former prostitute. The victim, A.B. Towery, was hit with a hammer, stabbed 58 times and had a lamp pole jammed down his throat.

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