Key witness in Holly Bobo case admits he fabricated testimony, petition says

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Practically a decade after a person was convicted of killing a Tennessee nursing student, the protection is asking a choose for a brand new trial, citing a key witness’ admission over fabricating testimony.

Holly Bobo, 20, disappeared from her rural dwelling in 2011, sparking an intensive search that ended together with her physique being discovered greater than three years later.

Zachary Adams and two different males had been charged in Bobo’s kidnapping, rape and homicide, with Adams being the one defendant selecting to go to trial. He was subsequently convicted on all expenses in 2017 and sentenced to life in jail plus a further 50 years.

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Holly Bobo smiles in an undated photograph. Bobo disappeared from her Tennessee dwelling in 2011, sparking a large search that ended three years later after her physique was found. (Handout)

Throughout Adams’ trial, key witness Jason Autry spoke in graphic element about how Bobo was kidnapped and raped earlier than being wrapped in a blanket, thrown at the back of a pickup truck and killed underneath a bridge close to an area river.

"It seemed like, increase, increase, increase, beneath that bridge," Autry advised the jury. "It was only one shot but it surely echoed. Birds went all over the place, all up underneath that bridge. Then simply useless silence for only a second."

Since investigators by no means discovered DNA proof linking Adams to Bobo, the prosecution relied totally on testimony from witnesses and Adams’ fellow inmates, who claimed he talked about hurting Bobo after the homicide.

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Zach Adams turns to have a look at his mom after a Hardin County jury discovered him responsible of all expenses on Sept. 22, 2017 in Savannah, Tennessee. (Kenneth Cummings/USA TODAY NETWORK)

The dramatic trial included emotional testimony, with Bobo’s mom Karen collapsing on the witness stand.

Autry subsequently pleaded responsible to lesser expenses after being praised by the choose for his testimony, and was sentenced to eight years in jail. He was launched in 2020.

Adams’ brother, John Dylan Adams, additionally pleaded responsible and was sentenced to 35 years in jail.

Nevertheless, in a 2024 courtroom submitting often called a coram nobis petition, Zachary Adams revealed Autry was recanting his testimony and requested for a brand new trial. Adams claimed Autry fabricated his story in an effort to maintain himself out of jail.

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Jason Autry identifies Zach Adams throughout his testimony on Day 4 of the Holly Bobo trial on Sept. 14, 2017 in Savannah, Tennessee. (Kenneth Cummings/USA TODAY NETWORK)

Months earlier, Autry met with Dr. Katie Spirko, a forensic and scientific neuropsychologist, and admitted to creating the story up after his lawyer warned him that he was "95% positive of a conviction," earlier than the 2017 trial, based on the petition.

"[Autry] needed to make all of it up," Dana McLendon III, Spirko’s legal professional, advised Fox Information Digital. "As a result of he knew that the possibilities that any of them weren't going to be convicted had been very low, and he wished to avoid wasting his personal pores and skin."

McLendon stated Autry beforehand expressed remorse after his testimony.

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A view of the Jimmy Mann Evans Memorial Bridge off of Outdated Cuba Touchdown Street. The homicide of Holly Bobo reportedly befell beneath the bridge in April 2011. (Paula Ospina/The Jackson Solar through USA TODAY NETWORK)

"He advised Dr. Spirko when he left the trial having primarily buried Zach, he felt horrible as a result of he knew that he simply put an harmless man in jail," McLendon stated.

Based on the petition, Autry admitted to formulating the story in his jail cell whereas wanting over discovery proof, whereas counting on cellphone information to nail down particulars.

"It is a man who advised a jury that he began out making an attempt to cover what he believes to be the physique of Holly Bobo, and ended up being current when she was really murdered," McLendon stated. "So you'll be able to ask your self, how does a person go from a dying penalty co-defendant to serving no time further for that function in any respect? How does that occur? And the reply is, the prosecution would later say that with out Jason Autry's testimony, they would not have been capable of convict that man – and that is simply the tip of the iceberg."

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Nevertheless, Assistant District Lawyer Jennifer Nichols insisted Adams’ petition wanted to be supported by sworn affidavits, writing that the since-recanted testimony – which was introduced to the courtroom in a video interview – is "regarded upon with mistrust."

Nichols additionally beforehand stated Adams would have been convicted with out Autry’s testimony, whereas pointing to Adams’ "incriminating admissions" surrounding Bobo’s dying.

Final 12 months, a choose sided with the prosecution by granting the state’s movement to dismiss Adams’ petition for a brand new trial, in the end figuring out Autry did not show an alibi for Adams or level to a different particular person's proof of guilt.

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"Mr. Autry’s new statements don't go away this Court docket with out severe or substantial doubt that Mr. Adams is definitely harmless," the choose wrote in his ruling.

Autry's legal professional declined Fox Information Digital's request for remark.

Earlier this 12 months, Adams returned to courtroom for a post-conviction reduction listening to, with the choose in the end ruling a video of Autry recanting his testimony was not admissible in courtroom, according to Court docket TV. The listening to was briefly suspended whereas Adams appealed the choice.

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Nevertheless, the Tennessee Court docket of Appeals declined to listen to the enchantment and the case is scheduled to renew in November, with hearings restarting earlier this month.

Adams' legal professional and the Hardin County District Lawyer's workplace didn't instantly reply to Fox Information Digital's request for remark.

In mild of Adams’ pursuit of a brand new trial, McLendon hopes his conviction can be overturned and authorities will give attention to discovering Bobo’s precise killer.

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" This neighborhood was boiling with the necessity for closure and justice," McLendon advised Fox Information Digital. "So if you choose a jury from amongst a pool of people that've been ready to get this case wrapped up for six years, after which they're given perjured testimony and the protection is basically denied the chance to current all the proof, together with exculpatory proof, it isn't stunning to me that they obtained the decision they obtained."

The Related Press contributed to this report.

Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Author for Fox Information Digital and a Fox Flight Workforce drone pilot. You possibly can observe her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and ship story tricks to julia.bonavita@fox.com.