Defendant arraigned while Hamilton murder victim is buried

HAMILTON, Ohio - At the same time family and friends of Donnell Holland, 44, of Hamilton were saying their last goodbyes across town his alleged killer pleaded "not guilty" to Holland's murder.

Myron Lamar Doby entered the courtroom Tuesday and confidently surveyed the cameras and assembled media before nodding to someone in the gallery.

Doby is charged with murdering Holland in the parking lot of the Grub Pub on Hancock Avenue in Hamilton.

Holland's family told 9 On Your Side that Donnell was working security at the Elks Pure Gold club when he broke up a fight that Doby was engaged in.

Holland's brother, Damon Pugh, told 9 On Your Side that blows were exchanged between Doby and Holland. Doby, who was thrown out, later confronted Holland, according to Pugh, across town in the Grub Pub parking lot. Holland, who had planned on stopping in before heading home, never got inside.

One man who didn't want to be identified said he heard four shots while hiding behind a dumpster in a nearby drugstore parking lot.

9 On Your Side again spoke to Pugh outside Pilgrim Baptist Church in Hamilton after Holland's funeral.

"The turnout in there today was Heaven sent. Donnell had a huge smile. He touched a lot of people and he will be greatly missed," said Pugh.

Holland was an assistant football coach with a youth football program called Hamilton Little Blue Football.

Rachel McCoy met Holland while her son played with the program and is now organizing a benefit to raise money to help with funeral expenses.

"He was a great asset to the football field. He was a great asset to the community," said McCoy.

The spaghetti dinner and silent auction will be held at Fairwood Elementary School on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 7-11 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $7 at Jerseys Unlimited in Fairfield.

In the meantime, Doby will be back in court on Jan. 23 where his attorney, Mike Shanks, will argue for a bond that Doby might have a chance of making. He is currently held without bond.

Shanks told 9 On Your Side that there are two sides to this story and that he will present that argument in two weeks.