Day 2: Case agent takes the stand during Adams’ hearing
SEE ALSO: Day 2: Witness testimonies continue in post-conviction hearing for Zach Adams
SAVANNAH, Tenn. — We have continuing coverage following Zach Adams’ court hearing in Hardin County.
Now the court is cross examining further evidence to uncover the 2011 murder of Holly Bobo.
After a retired TBI case agent, Terry Dicus, leaves the stand as a witness during the first half of Friday’s hearing, administrative case agent Kathy Ferguson take the stand for questioning regarding TBI’s investigation from day two of Holly’s disappearance on April 13, 2011 up until the time of the trial.
“This case specifically was so large. There were a lot of documents and a lot of evidence. They needed someone that could come in and be very organized and just wrap my arms around everything that had been done and begin to prepare the evidence and proof for eventual prosecution. That’s what I stated doing in late 2013–early 2014,” said Ferguson.
Tensions run high inside the Hardin County Courthouse as Defense Attorney Doug Bate poses several questions. Since Autry recanted his testimony more evidence continues to unfold in the murder of Holly Bobo.
Defense Attorney Bates claims Jason Autry’s statement in 2014 advanced the murder case to the death penalty. And has suspicion to believe Autry is on trial for a lie.
During Court Judge Brent Bradberry allowed footage to show the series of gun fire acoustic test performed from the target location of in exhibit 99.
Bates is looking to uncover the unusual activity of Holly Bobo’s cellphone that was separated from her traveling from 8:11 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. on Gooch Creek Road on April 13, 2011.
“I did not follow the cellphone activity. That is not what I was tasked with in this investigation. There are people that are very versed in understanding cellphone activity and I’m not that person. I wasn’t tasked with recreating anything with Holly’s phone,” said Ferguson.
Agent Ferguson tells the the court locating cellphone evidence may not have been as effective during the time of the murder.
“I know that phone pings are not pinpoint exact today and I know they weren’t back then,” said Ferguson.
Agent Ferguson says she’s spent 29 years in law enforcement and there’s no way to know the specificity of what actually happened to Holly even with their efforts to recreate the scene.
The next court proceeding is expected on November 19.
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