Case Update: The Murder of Holly Bobo
On September 22, 2017, a jury found Zach Adams guilty of kidnapping, raping, and killing Holly Bobo, and sentenced him to life in prison plus 50 years. However, recent updates in the case might get him a chance for a new trial.
Case Summary
On April 13, 2011, 20-year-old Holly Bobo disappeared from her family home in Darden, Tennessee. Her brother, Clint, saw her walking into the woods with a man dressed in camouflage. Despite initial confusion and delays, a massive search ensued.
Three years later, in September 2014, her partial remains were found, and her death was ruled a homicide caused by a gunshot to the head.
The investigation eventually focused on Zach Adams, a known criminal with a violent history. In 2014, his brother Dylan Adams provided crucial information, leading to Zach’s arrest. Despite weak forensic evidence, witness testimonies, including a detailed account by Jason Autry, who helped dispose of Holly’s body, were pivotal. Zach Adams was convicted in September 2017 and sentenced to life without parole. Dylan Adams later entered an Alford plea, and Jason Autry was still awaiting his trial in 2020.
To learn more detailed information about this case, please visit: The Murder of Holly Bobo
Updates
On February 27th, 2020, Zach Adams’ attorney filed an appeal citing 56 mistakes that were supposedly made at the trial, including a biased judge and an unfair jury. The defense also alleged that the judge had allowed the prosecution to present surprise evidence, like an incriminating photo line-up.
On August 11, 2020, Zach’s appeal was denied.
On September 16, 2020, Jason Autry was released on time served after agreeing to a plea deal for solicitation to commit murder and facilitation of especially aggravated kidnapping. However, just three months later, Jason was arrested in Benton County after a deputy had spotted him walking in a field with a gun. According to the arrest affidavit from December 3, 2020, Jason ran from the deputy but suddenly collapsed. In his nearby vehicle, law enforcement reportedly also found ammunition and meth.
Jason was arrested and charged with possession of drugs, possession of a firearm as a felon, and evading arrest. He initially pleaded not guilty.
However, on October 4, 2022, he agreed to change his plea to guilty, as he was on federal supervised release at the time of the arrest.
While awaiting trial for his new charges, Jason was interviewed by forensic neuropsychologist, Katie Spirko. During the recorded interview, Jason retracted his testimony and admitted to lying about his and Zach’s involvement in Holly’s murder to avoid life in prison.
On November 22, 2022, Jason pleaded guilty to three counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
On January 22, 2024, Zach filed an amended petition for post-conviction relief, citing ineffective counsel and new evidence, requesting a new trial. The new evidence included a video recording of Jason‘s interview with Katie Spirko.
On May 31, 2024, ABC’s 20/20 aired a new episode about the Holly Bobo case, including Jason Autry’s confession of lying to investigators.
On June 14, 2024, arguments were heard regarding a new trial for Zach Adams. After the hearing, the prosecution motioned to dismiss Zach’s petition without an evidentiary hearing for several reasons:
- The petition is time-barred, meaning it was filed after the legal deadline.
- The petition fails to allege specific facts that would justify extending the deadline through equitable tolling.
- The information contained in the petition doesn’t qualify as newly discovered evidence.
- Zach Adams is not entitled to relief from the court as he could not demonstrate actual innocence.
On June 24, 2024, Jason was sentenced to 23 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
There has been no ruling regarding Zach Adams’ petition as of July 12, 2024.
