Convicted Killer Demands New Trial in Holly Bobo Case
A jury in Tennessee found Zach Adams guilty of kidnapping, raping and murdering Holly Bobo in 2017. But now Adams is demanding a new trial claiming co-defendants lied for lighter sentences and his trial attorneys were ineffective. Nursing student Holly Bobo vanished from her home in 2011. Her skeletal remains were discovered in 2014. Law&Crime’s Angenette Levy details a recent hearing where witnesses testified in this episode of Crime Fix — a daily show covering the biggest stories in crime. 

Zach Adams, the man convicted in 2017 for the brutal kidnapping, rape, and murder of Tennessee nursing student Holly Bobo, is now seeking a new trial, arguing that his conviction was based on false testimony and that his legal representation was inadequate.

Holly Bobo vanished from her family’s home in Parsons, Tennessee, in April 2011. The 20-year-old was last seen walking into the woods with a man dressed in camouflage, according to her brother, Clint Bobo, who initially thought she was being escorted by her boyfriend. Her disappearance sparked one of the largest and most exhaustive search efforts in Tennessee history. In 2014, three years after she vanished, skeletal remains identified as Holly’s were found in Decatur County.

In 2017, Zach Adams was convicted of first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated rape. His conviction relied heavily on the testimonies of co-defendants Jason Autry and Shayne Austin. Austin, who died by suicide in 2015 before he could testify, had reportedly cooperated with authorities and given statements implicating Adams. Autry took the stand during the trial and gave detailed, and at times graphic, testimony about Adams’ involvement in the crime.

Now, Adams and his new legal team argue that Autry lied on the stand in exchange for a reduced sentence, and that his original defense attorneys failed to adequately challenge that testimony or pursue other key evidence. During a recent post-conviction hearing covered by Law&Crime’s Crime Fix, witnesses took the stand to support Adams’ claims of ineffective counsel and prosecutorial misconduct.

Adams’ attorneys also allege that critical information was withheld during trial and that some evidence may have been misrepresented. They contend that his constitutional rights were violated and that the jury’s verdict was tainted by false or misleading testimony, particularly from co-defendants who had a vested interest in securing leniency for themselves.

Prosecutors, however, maintain that the conviction was based on overwhelming evidence and that Adams received a fair trial. They argue that Autry’s testimony was corroborated by other evidence, including cell phone data, forensic findings, and Adams’ own behavior leading up to and following Bobo’s disappearance.

The case against Adams has always been a controversial one. The investigation took years and was marred by conflicting reports, evolving witness statements, and the suicide of a key informant. While many felt justice was served in the 2017 conviction, others have expressed concern about the reliability of the evidence and the motives of witnesses who turned state’s evidence under the pressure of potential life sentences.

Holly Bobo’s family has continued to seek closure and justice throughout the ordeal. Following the recent developments, they have remained largely private but have expressed faith in the judicial system to uphold the original conviction.

The court has yet to decide whether Adams’ motion for a new trial will be granted. If successful, the case could reopen old wounds for the Bobo family and the community at large, and would mark another chapter in one of Tennessee’s most haunting and drawn-out criminal cases.

Law&Crime’s Angenette Levy has been following the post-conviction proceedings closely, and her reporting on Crime Fix provides detailed insights into the recent hearings, where multiple witnesses have testified regarding alleged failures by the original defense team and inconsistencies in trial testimony.

As of now, the judge overseeing the motion has not issued a ruling. A decision is expected in the coming weeks, and it could have significant implications—not only for Zach Adams, but for how the justice system handles plea deals, witness credibility, and the finality of high-profile convictions.