Judge resets trial date in Holly Bobo case; moves venue to Hardin County

DECATUR COUNTY, Tenn. — The trial for one of the men charged with killing a Decatur County nursing student gets delayed.

From left: Zach Adams, Jason Autry and Dylan Adams

“This case will be set for July 10,” Circuit Court Judge Creed McGinley said.

The case against Zach Adams got delayed again on Wednesday. The judge pushed back the trial date three more months for the man charged with killing Holly Bobo.

“The family wanted to get it over with,” Pastor Don Franks, a family spokesperson, said.

Franks pastors the Bobo family and said the news hit them hard. “Anytime there’s a delay in this case it adds to the burden that the victim’s family goes through,” he said.

McGinley said in court the original April 3 trial date falls during the Easter holiday and on the anniversary of the alleged crime. “It’s been six years since Holly’s been taken, and today was just the tip of the iceberg,” Ashley Bobo, Holly’s sister-in-law, said.

McGinley also officially moved the case to Hardin County.

The court summoned 550 potential jurors to appear on March 8 in Hardin County. They will have to fill out a questionnaire.

McGinley said jury selection begins April 5 with final selection beginning on July 6. The judge said the jury will be sequestered for the trial. “There will be alarms in the lodging facility,” McGinley said. “There will be officers 24-7 on this particular case.”

The judge said he expects the first witness to be called once the jury is sworn in July 10. “Holly’s family has been determined to see justice for their daughter, and we’re in it for whatever length of time it takes,” Franks said.

All court proceedings from here on out will take place in Hardin County.

The judge said again Wednesday he has been told the third man charged in this case, Jason Autry, will not need a trial date but did not elaborate as to why.

McGinley said cameras will not be allowed inside the courtroom for jury selection.