Judges regulate prison video inadmissibly in Zach Adam's hearing

Nashville, Tenn. (WSMV) – A hearing is underway whether Holly Bobos should be granted relief after the conviction. The hearing will decide whether Zach Adams will receive a new trial version.

In 2011, Adams was convicted of rape, kidnapping and killing the nursing student Holly Bobo, but the defense team from Adams says a prison video of a key from an important witness, the years after the process that proves his innocence.

The video that our investigation team received last summer showed how the witness Jason Autry Widernahm. In the video, Autry said that he invented everything when he said that Adams murdered Bobo.

Here you will find instructions on how to observe WSMV4 live on various platforms.

The state and the defense argued on Monday whether this video should be played during the hearing. The defense said that it should be allowed because Autry is not available to be mentioned as a witness in this hearing. The defense said the state decided that Autry was “too dangerous” to be transported, and the court would not allow zoom.

“If you have a recording what we do … it is permissible,” said a defender.

In the meantime, the state said that this video was “hearsay” and also claimed that Autry was “endowed” at the time of admission.

“This is not a return,” said a prosecutor. “It could not be further away from the truth. This is an advertising work.”

The judge stood on the side of the state and said that the video was simply an interview that was not carried out under oath and stated it inadmissible. The judge also pointed out that Autry appointed his fifth amendment to not state this.

The defense said they want to make an appeal against the judgment.

Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.