Holly Bobo Murder Trial Update: Key Witness In Case Might Be Lying
The trial for one man accused of murdering Tennessee nursing student Holly Bobo could hinge on the testimony of his friend—one whose credibility has been questioned by experts. Jason Autry negotiated a deal to testify against Zach Adams in the case, but his story has changed over the years.
Autry was set to be called to testify once Adams’ trial begins in September. But just a few years ago, Autry told reporters he had no idea what happened to Bobo. It seems his story has changed dramatically, a fact the defense will likely call into question.
Read: New Evidence In Holly Bobo Murder Case Forces Trial Delay
Autry told local news outlet WTVF in an interview during his time at Riverbend Maximum Security Prison three years ago that he had no information.
“No sir, right hand before God,” he said at the time. “The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I didn’t bother that girl in no form or no fashion. Do you know who did? No sir.
“I don’t want to speculate and make a rumor of what happened to the girl.”
Autry also told the station at the time that he had denied multiple requests by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to testify against his friend.
“It was a try to be a forced move to get me to bear false witness against Zach Adams,” he said.
Bobo, a nursing student from West Tennessee, went missing in 2011. Her body wasn’t found until three years later when authorities discovered a human skull near Adams’ home. Using dental records, authorities were able to confirm the skull belonged to Bobo.
Alongside Adams, Autry himself was also charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Bobo. Adams’ brother Dylan was the third person charged in the case. Autry was allegedly Adams’ accomplice in the murder, investigators said.
Adams' trial, while initially set to begin in July, was postponed after a new piece of crucial evidence emerged in the case. Defense attorneys said they needed extra time for analysis after TBI investigators found a gun they believed was the murder weapon over Memorial Day weekend.
Experts said it appeared Autry himself was the one who tipped authorities off to the location of the gun.
Read: Holly Bobo Murder Trial Delay Sparks Reaction Among Local Tennessee Residents
“His testimony is extremely important,” WTVF legal analyst Nick Leonardo said Friday. “Mr. Autry had to be the one to divulge to the TBI this whereabouts of this firearm. It begs the question, are you simply doing this to get consideration for yourself?”
Five witnesses, including Autry, were granted some sort of immunity in the case.
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