More than a decade after the conviction of Zachary Adams for the murder of Holly Bobo, a nursing student who disappeared in 2011, the defense is now seeking a new trial. This request comes as a key witness in the case has admitted to lying about Adams’ involvement, casting serious doubt on the validity of the conviction. The case, which has been under court review for nearly a decade, has now gained renewed attention as questions emerge about the integrity of the trial and whether the convicted killer actually committed the crime.
Zachary Adams and two other men were charged in Bobo’s kidnapping, rape, and murder. Adams, the sole defendant to go to trial, was convicted on all charges in 2017 and sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 50 years. During his trial, key witness Jason Autry provided graphic details of the crime, recounting how Bobo was kidnapped, raped, and then killed under a bridge near a local river. However, investigators never found DNA evidence linking Adams to Bobo, and the prosecution relied mainly on the testimony of witnesses and inmates who claimed Adams discussed harming Bobo after the murder.
Autry, who was praised by the judge for his testimony, later pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to eight years in prison, subsequently being released in 2020. In a 2024 court filing known as a coram nobis petition, Adams revealed that Autry had recanted his testimony and requested a new trial, claiming that Autry fabricated his account to avoid further prison time. Autry admitted to making up his story after his lawyer warned him of a high chance of conviction, leading him to fabricate the testimony to save himself.
McLendon, Autry’s attorney, stated that Autry expressed regret after his testimony, acknowledging he had put an innocent man in prison. Despite the recantation and the allegations of perjured testimony, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Nichols maintained that Adams’ conviction would stand without Autry’s testimony, pointing to Adams’ ‘incriminating admissions.’ A judge previously dismissed Adams’ petition, stating that Autry failed to prove an alibi for Adams or present evidence implicating another person.
Adams’ case is set for further hearings in November, with his attorney hoping the conviction will be overturned after the admission of perjured testimony. The ongoing legal battle highlights the potential flaws in the trial, the impact on the community, and the need for justice. If successful, this could lead to a reevaluation of the case and potentially the discovery of the true killer, providing much-needed closure for Bobo’s family and the community.