Death penalty sought for trio in missing nursing student’s death

DECATURVILLE, Tenn. – The state intends to seek the death penalty against the men charged with murder in the disappearance of Tennessee nursing student Holly Bobo four years ago. Jason Autry, Zachary Adams and his brother John “Dylan” Adams appeared in Decatur County court on Wednesday.

Shelby County Special Prosecutor Jennifer Nichols obtained an eight count indictment against all three last month. Zachary Adams and Autry had previously been indicted for especially aggravated kidnapping and murder in 2014. Dylan had previously been indicted for rape in the fall.

All three men are now charged with three counts of first degree murder, three counts of aggravated rape and two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping. The state filed notice and intent to seek death penalty against all three on Wednesday.

The court will now need to appoint additional lawyers for Zachary Adams and Dylan Adams with death penalty experience.

Both Adams brothers and Autry entered pleas of not guilty on all the indictments.

Autry now wants to be declared indigent to help pay for his defense. A hearing date has been set for him on August 26, and it is expected to deal with an anticipated motion to dismiss filed by his attorney.

Dylan Adams also asked to be declared indigent.

The state told Judge Creed McGinley they will be ready to turn over all discovery within seven days. Nichols told the court that material shown in a TV news story last week has not been provided to her. Earlier in the hearing, the judge was upset about the report that showed otherwise not public documents.

“When you talk about the ultimate punishment there is a heightened sense of due process,” said the judge.

Nichols took over the case after Decatur County District Attorney Matt Stowe recused himself late last year.

The case had largely stalled following that because defense attorneys for Zachary and Dylan Adams objected to Nichols’ appointment to the case.

Judge Creed McGinley allowed Nichols to stay on the case in April.

All three men have remained in custody since being charged originally.

Bobo was 20 when she was reported missing from her home in rural Parsons in April 2011. Her disappearance and the subsequent lengthy search attracted national attention.

Authorities say her skull was found in woods in Decatur County in September 2014.