Judge stays on Bobo case; 1 suspect may seek plea deal

DECATUR COUNTY, Tenn. — Zach Adams appeared in court Wednesday during a motions hearing leading up to his April trial in the death of nursing student Holly Bobo.

Adams sat in silence as his attorney, Jennifer Thompson, argued the court may have already formed an opinion on her client’s possible guilt, which she used as apparent reasoning for filing a motion for the judge to recuse himself from the case.

Thompson said during a January teleconference the judge made remarks suggesting Adams should try to make a plea deal and avoid a trial.

“I have tried to encourage the parties to negotiate toward some type of reasonable settlement so this case may be put to rest,” Judge Creed McGinley said.

Thompson argued Judge McGinley staying on the case could be a conflict of interest, something he strongly disagreed with. The judge ruled he will continue to preside over the case.

The judge said his life would be “immeasurably better” if he didn’t have the case, given the amount of time he’s had to invest at this point.

The defense also asked the courts to allow attorney Luke Evans to join Adams’ team of attorneys.

Evans previously represented a witness in the case, Shayne Austin, who died of an apparent suicide.

Prosecutors pointed out graphic and violent statements Austin made to TBI agents about Bobo’s death as conflicts of interest.

According to handwritten statements submitted by Austin prior to his death, he alleged Adams said he put Bobo’s body in the river near a rock with a “T” on it and said bodies needed to be gutted to prevent them from floating in water.

“It’s never easy as a parent to hear those type of things, but again, I think everyone has seen their resolve throughout this process,” associate pastor at Corinth Baptist Church Brad Moore said on behalf of the Bobo family.

An attorney representing Jason Autry said his client would not need a trial date and alluded that his client may make a deal.

The family attorney says the Bobos are ready to see justice — whatever that may be.

Adams’ trial date is scheduled for April 3.