[Update Noon Friday with Statement from Defense] Breaking News: Hung Jury in Case Where Woman Allegedly Stabbed Her Roommate

Destinee Rhamy Booking Photo

A Humboldt County jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict Thursday in the voluntary manslaughter trial of Destinee Rhamy, who was charged in the 2023 stabbing death of her Eureka roommate, Holland “Holly” Elbik, 27. After twelve days of trial and nearly a week of deliberations, the twelve-member jury deadlocked 7-5 in favor of acquittal — falling short of the unanimous verdict required under California law.

Before accepting the deadlock, Judge Killoran asked the jury whether additional time might help them reach a verdict. When jurors indicated they were firmly deadlocked, he, prompted by Assistant District Attorney Rees, individually questioned each juror to determine whether anything could be done to break the impasse. Finding no path forward, Killoran declared a mistrial. Defense attorney Andrea Sullivan then moved to dismiss the case outright, but the judge denied the motion. Before releasing the jury, Killoran offered measured words to the panel, emphasizing that a hung jury is a normal outcome in the justice system and that jurors reaching different conclusions is not a failure on their part.

The case may now be retried.

Rhamy showed little emotion as the deadlocked verdict was announced, remaining stoic as the proceedings concluded. The reaction was starkly different on the other side of the courtroom — Kaye Elbik, the mother of the victim, and also a former roommate who had shared a home with both Rhamy and Holly Elbik, were both visibly emotional upon hearing the news.

After years of tumultuous litigation, several trial continuances finally culminated in weeks of painful trial testimony for Holland Elbik’s mother, Kaye Elbik.

Holland Elbik’s mother has been through each day of trial, awaiting the verdict day by day. Bearing the expenses of travel from southern California each time a court hearing is scheduled, and in this case, many days in row, Elbik has been steadfast in attending as many of the hearings as possible.

The duration of the proceedings had at times been drawn out by Marsden motions made by defendant Destinee Rhamy, in an effort to have a new defense counsel appointed by the court. Rhamy filed at least three Marsden motions – requests to have her public defender replaced – during the proceedings, including one denied by Judge Killoran as recently as February 10, mid-trial.

The prosecution’s case centered on physical evidence collected from the West Sonoma Street home – including the knife, blood-stained clothing, and text messages – presented by EPD evidence technicians and Sgt. Raymond Nunez.

Rhamy took the stand in her own defense, a relatively rare move, spanning two days of testimony and facing extended cross-examination from Deputy DA Roger Rees, who played audio recordings as part of his questioning.

The defense called Zachary Hood as a witness — Hood, who was injured in the same altercation and appeared with his own private attorney, Owen Tipps, was advised of his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent before testifying. Jurors sent notes requesting read-back of both Hood’s testimony and that of witness Lauren Lukens before the jury ultimately deadlocked.

Rhamy was charged with two felony counts – voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon – stemming from the incident at their shared West Sonoma Street home on August 2, 2023 when a dispute between roommates that began over loud music ended violently with Elbik dead and Rhamy’s boyfriend who was involved in the incident, Zachary Hood, hospitalized.

Rhamy was initially sought by EPD as armed and dangerous before surrendering to the Humboldt County Jail on September 27, 2023. She had been released from custody in November 2023 after securing a $130,000 bond pending trial, according to case information.

While the initial Complaint filed by the District Attorney’s office was submitted in September of 2023, the charges of Homicide with Special Allegations were filed against Rhamy in August of 2024. Rhamy pled not guilty to both felony counts of Assault with a deadly weapon, and voluntary manslaughter, while denying the special allegations of “great bodily harm” and “use of a deadly weapon” respectively, attached to each felony charge.

With the hung jury, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s office must now decide whether to retry Rhamy on the voluntary manslaughter charge. That decision is expected to come into focus when Rhamy returns to Humboldt Superior Court on March 27.

UPDATE 5:49 p.m.: After the mistrial was declared Thursday afternoon, Holland “Holly” Elbik’s mother, Kaye Elbik, spoke with Redheaded Blackbelt about the outcome.

“My statement before coming to court at two o’clock today was, ‘It’s up to the jury — if that’s who they want out in their community, I get to go home. I don’t have to see them again,’” she said.

Elbik expressed deep frustration with the result and with the defendant’s conduct during the case.

“[Destinee Rhamy] is a pathological liar and a sociopath, and she never once showed any sign of any remorse, of any sympathy towards me and Holly’s twin brother, that we lost our loved one, and she knew Holly, and was friends with Holly, and she knew that I had just lost my mother and my sister, and Holly was my support system, and she took that away from me.”

“It is not justice in any way, shape or form, especially for someone who [showed] zero remorse,” she added.

Elbik said she appreciated the work of Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees.

“The only one that stood up for her was Roger, and I have zero complaints about the job he did,” she said.

The deceased Holland “Holly” Elbik.

Redheaded Blackbelt also reached out to defense attorney Andrea Sullivan seeking a statement from her or from Rhamy. As of publication, we have not received a response.

UPDATE Friday noon: This morning, defense attorney Andrea Sullivan responded to Redheaded Blackbelt regarding the hung jury in the Destinee Rhamy trial. Sullivan had earlier told a local blog she had no record of a request for comment but realized this morning she had not seen our email when it was sent yesterday.

Destinee Rhamy with her attorney Andrea Sullivan. [Photo provided by attorney Andrea Sullivan]

Responding to questions from Redheaded Blackbelt, Sullivan said she believes Rhamy would prevail if prosecutors decide to retry the case. She added that the defense would welcome any additional investigation by the District Attorney’s Office.

Sullivan also said Rhamy was initially confused when the jury failed to reach a verdict and said her client was upset as she left the courtroom after hearing members of Holland Elbik’s family call her names. Sullivan reiterated the defense position that Rhamy acted in self-defense during the incident that resulted in Elbik’s death. She stated, “I would also like to say that I believe, as did the majority of the jury, that Ms. Rhamy acted in self-defense and was completely excused for the killing of Holland Elbik.  The decedent was very likely psychotic at the time of her death and not receiving the treatment or support she needed.  Holland Elbik brutally attacked my client’s fiancé by hacking him in the throat over and over with a broken ceramic mug.  Ms. Rhamy called emergency services and pleaded for help.  I firmly believe that when Ms. Rhamy acted she saved her partner’s life.”

EARLIER: 

• • Two Transported to Hospital After Reported Stabbing in Eureka
  • 20-Year-Old Suspect Sought in Stabbing Death of Roommate