Day 1: Post-conviction hearing for Zach Adams begins

HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. — Monday marked the first day of a post-conviction hearing in which Zach Adams is seeking to overturn a murder conviction and secure a new trial.

In September of 2017, Zachary Adams was found guilty on eight counts of first degree felony murder, aggravated rape and aggravated kidnapping of Decatur County nursing student Holly Bobo.

SEE ALSO: (2017) Zach Adams found guilty on all counts

Early Monday morning, Adams appeared before Judge Brent Bradberry for post-conviction relief.

This comes after the recantation of the prosecution’s key witness, Jason Autry.

SEE ALSO: (2024) New developments, key witness admits to lying at trial

Tensions rose as the prosecution and defense argued about motions that have been filed in the case.

“The rules, the statute says that when the prosecutor identifies as exculpatory evidence, you disclose it. They weren’t ever going to disclose it until I brought it up, and based on this your honor, I’m asking the court to consider throughout the sanction request,” said Defense Attorney Doug Bates.

Bates claimed the State of Tennessee engaged in inappropriate conduct by failing to disclose their original subpoena for ATM footage during the first trial.

“Jennifer Thompson, trial counselor, had this going back to 2015 when it was originally produced in discovery on a hard drive. That hard drive was handed over to post conviction counsel, we believe, sometime in the fall of 2023,” said Christopher V. Boiano, assistant attorney general with the 18th district.

The defense presented another motion to call Katie Spirko, a neuropsychologist, as a false confession expert, addressing Jason Autry’s comments.

“He’s prosecuted under the death penalty. He fabricates a story to get out of the death penalty. When he pleads out, the state says his testimony answered many factual questions left open by our investigation,” said Bates.

The prosecution challenged the motion, arguing that Dr. Spirko’s credibility is in question.

The hearing is set to continue through Friday. Stay with us on air and online as we continue to bring you updates.

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