Dana Bobo, foregroudn, and Karen Bobo, o his direct right, sit in a courtroom before a hearing in the case of their daughter Holly Bobo’s killing Friday, June 14, 2024, in Savannah, Tenn. Zachary Adams, who was convicted in 2017 in Holly Bobo’s kidnapping, rape and murder, is seeking a new trial in the case. Karen Bobo, center, facing camera, speaks with acquaintances after a court hearing in the case of her daughter Holly Bobo’s killing on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Savannah, Tenn.
“It sounded like, boom, boom, boom, underneath that bridge. It was just one shot but it echoed,” Autry testified. “Birds went everywhere, all up under that bridge. Then just dead silence for just a second.” Autry also was charged with kidnapping, rape and murder, but he received leniency for his testimony, which was praised by the trial judge as highly credible. Autry pleaded guilty to lesser charges, and he was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was released in 2020, but he wasThe new filing by Zachary Adams, known as a coram nobis petition, says Autry is now taking back his testimony, claiming he made up the story to avoid spending life in prison.
Autry claims he concocted the entire story in his jail cell before the trial while reviewing discovery evidence. Autry used extensive cellphone data to create a story, the petition says.Adams’ lawyer, Douglas Bates, argued that a hearing to discuss Autry’s recanting as new evidence should be granted. Prosecutors said Adams’ petition should be dismissed without an evidentiary hearing.