February 22, 2025

Prologue: The Tragic Case of Holly Bobo

3 minutes

Welcome to the Trial & Error podcast, where seasoned criminal defense attorney Dana McLendon III, alongside co-host & forensic neuropsychologist Dr. Katie Spirko, take you on a deep dive into the tragic case of Holly Bobo, and the subsequent wrongful convictions of Zach Adams and his brother Dylan Adams. Holly Bobo’s disappearance in 2011 led to a high-profile investigation, bringing a national media spotlight on what was termed 'the most expensive, exhaustive investigation in the history of Tennessee'. Terry Britt was identified early on as a key suspect when he perfectly matched the physical description provided by the sole eye witness to Holly’s abduction, his alibi crumbled, and physical evidence linking Terry Britt to Holly was found at his home and in his vehicle. This crime also bore striking similarities to prior sexual assaults committed by Terry Britt; it was, indeed, right in line with his MO. An indictment seemed imminent.

Then, in a plot twist no one with a solid working knowledge of the investigation could have predicted, the State abandoned it's interest in Terry Britt and returned its focus to 4 local ruffians who had already been conclusively ruled out as possible suspects when their alibis were thoroughly corroborated. Unwilling to let a lack of evidence stand in the way of mounting pressure to close the case, the State moved forward in 2017 in bringing Zach Adams to trial for the 2011 slaying of Holly Bobo. He was convicted by a jury despite a lack of any physical evidence linking him to the crime and substantial factual support for his claims of innocence. The State’s case rested almost entirely on the star witness testimony of co-defendant Jason Autry, who eventually recanted his entire story in an interview with Dr. Spirko, explaining in detail how and why he lied during the trial.

Serious allegations of corruption and incompetence have been leveled against the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Shelby County District Attorney's office for their handing of this case, including accusations of destroying evidence and yielding to political pressure for a conviction, regardless of the truth. Widespread speculation persists that Terry Britt is the true perpetrator, while he remains uncharged in connection with this gruesome crime.

Our podcast offers exclusive insights, featuring interviews and direct audio footage from law enforcement officers who investigated the case and testified at trial, as well as first-hand accounts from the still imprisoned wrongfully convicted co-defendants, their families, and other key witnesses. We uncover crucial evidence that was never presented in court.

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