Zach Adams guilty in kidnapping murder of Holly Bobo Sept 23, 2017

[katydid23]

My casual outside observer take on the plea deal and the judge pushing it was with Zach who the family considered the "ringleader" anything short of LWOP would never have been possible.

However, the state knew they had no DNA, no fingerprints at the crime scenes, no eyewitnesses other then the low lifes who took part themselves, no surveillance videos etc, ----so the defense might have been able to secure a 30 yr sentence with a guilty verdict and testimony against the others.

 

[katydid23]

With great appreciation-thanks!

Back to the Judge, I forgot to include this in my post regarding his personal comments that in my opinion were silly. I believe it was at the beginning of yesterday's activity when he mentioned to the jurors "I don't think it will hurt y'alls feelings if you don't get to spend the next 3 hours with me. Will it, or is that ok with y'all"? Chuckle-chuckle

IMO: Its just not the time for silly comments, especially being made by him and about him.

Almost every judge I have seen in serious trials, makes small jokes and banters with the jurors. It is a way to cut the tension and dreariness of murder trials. It can be very depressing and very stressful.

The judge needs to connect with the jurors and befriend them. He is asking a lot of them and they need to feel comfortable and appreciated, after looking at grisly photos and listening to felon after felon, describing horrid details of crimes, for hours on end.

Taking a breather and smiling at a few silly comments is important.

 

[Gooddeeds]

Almost every judge I have seen in serious trials, makes small jokes and banters with the jurors. It is a way to cut the tension and dreariness of murder trials. It can be very depressing and very stressful.

The judge needs to connect with the jurors and befriend them. He is asking a lot of them and they need to feel comfortable and appreciated, after looking at grisly photos and listening to felon after felon, describing horrid details of crimes, for hours on end.

Taking a breather and smiling at a few silly comments is important.

-Thanks. You and Gee have given me a different perspective. I can understand the need for it. And his comment I referenced from yesterday did come after decisions were already made. So it wasn't as though everyone was on pins & needles waiting for the unknown.

 

[Deleted member 172065]

Good morning everyone! It was great to wake up today knowing ZA will forever be locked up for the rest of his life.

It has been so enjoyable having you here on this case, cfreyja.

I do believe that SA was the one sent by the mastermind (ZA) to kidnap Holly so they all could rape her as they pleased. It is very important to remember that in felony murder as you have stated means they all, including ZA, acted in concert to kidnap Holly, and they all held her against her will the entire time after she was initially kidnapped. I am glad the jury understood that and applied the law correctly to this case.

Dylan's attorney has to be very concerned and so does Dylan imo. It doesn't matter if he did not originally kidnap her or even if he wasn't the one who actually murdered her. They all acted in concert with each other when committing all of these heinous felonies so all are equally guilty under the law including the death penalty option for him too. He should have agreed to testify against his brother but I really believe Dylan is scared to death of his wicked brother who dominated him all of his life. imo

JA will be spared the DP I believe but he will most likely be sentenced to LWOP or at least at a minimum to life and in TN that is 51 years to be served.

What I am so grateful for is the tremendous courage shown by all of the Bobo family that were determined to see the truth come to light about who really was involved. I am sure Karen knew how bad ZA was due to his criminal past but yet she and Clint went to his home to ask him about who could have taken Holly. THAT took tremendous courage. The Bobo family is the reason we are here today because none of them ever gave up. God bless them all.

And now we are going to learn even more about this dangerous man's past and all of the things he did to others for years.

I think it took courage by all the witnesses, especially the Bobo family. If ZA did get acquitted he could be 'straight up' dangerous! And you never know how a jury will swing.

 

[Deleted member 172065]

There was never any evidence that she knew any of them. I think they knew her by sight since its such a small town and she was so stunningly beautiful but she didnt know any of them personally. I think they selected her when SA was at the coon hunt stalking her and her friend. I dont think it was random and she was specifically targeted to be the one they kidnapped and raped.

...and it was said at trial that her cousin, Natalie, knew zach.

 

[Deleted member 172065]

That is the most guy wrenching thing I have ever seen I am 63 years old. I truly hope that all, who participated in the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly, never have freedom again.

Oh, wow, I thought I heard holly was a great young woman. That testimony really confirmed that.
Also, who knows the facts better than the Bobo's? Probably no one. We can rest assured that justice was served,

 

[Deleted member 172065]

[video=twitter;911637318565588993]https://twitter.com/crabblers/status/911637318565588993[/video]

left this out of preceding comment..

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

Updated.

Case Archive, Trial and Beyond:
(I will follow through until we never ever hear their names again)
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/cr...and Beyond - Justice for Holly?sort=2&page=1#

Case Archive, Pre-trial coverage:
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/cr...-/PRE-TRIAL - Justice for Holly?sort=6&page=1

Holly Bobo Case Archive:
http://s296.photobucket.com/user/crankycrankerson/library/Holly Bobo -TN-?sort=6&page=1

 

[Niner]

Hey!

I am glad it went like it did...during this trial I got nothing else done...yesterday after the sentencing I started catching up and am still doing that. Have to take off some time from trials for the next weeks.

The McStay trial is coming up on Nov. 13th - so you have a month to decompress...

-Niner, did we get an answer on this? My apologies if so.
"Why was there no formal stand alone sentencing statement read by the Judge to Zach"? 'We declare...'.
In my opinion yesterday's courtroom activity was sloppy in the way of JMs articulation. His demeanor wasn't that of addressing Zach firmly. Most are spoken in a serious authoritative tone. Instead he was casually flipping through the pages looking downward for much of his delivery yesterday. There wasn't a precise wrap up either. For lack of a better term it was anticlimactic (aside from Karen's statement). I'm specifically speaking of him-JM.

Being as there are many questions about this (here as well as other sources), was this him being messy or is this the correct method based on an official prior agreement? Its confusing to me.

So - it was where ZA raised his right hand - that was the "official" sentencing??
TIA!

 

[tmar]

Niner.
Seeing those lovely treats, on last thread, I'm pleased your celebrating end of season, and I guess this 'trial result'.
They look so delicious and really colourful.
Hope you don't get a tummy upset, stopping your great contributions, here at websleuths.

 

[tmar]

Don't feel bad SteveP, look how many posts I have and I still don't know how to snip part of a post except to copy and cut, LOL.

Hi Lonetraveler and Steve P.
Pleased with all your experience you also have some difficulties.
I couldn't post a reply to Niner here, from last thread, about his delicious treats.
My mouth is watering, just looking at them.

 

[tmar]

It may be a radical way of thinking but I was disappointed that the sentencing hearing did not take place. Don't get me wrong I believe the end result was the Just one. Had the hearing taken place then a lot of evidence that could not be brought into the trial could have been exposed. Just one of many could / should have been Zach's long criminal history. A history rife with nothing short of torture to people around him. Shooting his Mother in the knee, shooting domestic animals to name only a couple. MANY of his priors were dealt down to misdemeanors and signed off by the very same Judge that presided over this very trial. The same goes for the District Attorney that was in office in the beginning. His signature was on those deals as well.

My point in this is that much of the truth of the matter was "hushed" with this outcome. It saved face with Prosecutors, TBI and Judges that did not do enough in my opinion early on to prevent something like what happened to Holly and the community at large. How many arrests and deals does it take for someone to say this man has mental problems and should be kept away from Society? Ten, Twelve, Fifteen or even Seventeen?

JMO

great post, jggordo.
I agree.
ZA's past criminal activity should have been exposed here.
More shame for all involved.
You are right: how many chances, do these 'criminals' have, still able to commit crime, after crime?

 

[SteveP]

great post, jggordo.
I agree.
ZA's past criminal activity should have been exposed here.
More shame for all involved.
You are right: how many chances, do these 'criminals' have, still able to commit crime, after crime?

BBM...Very sadly, it cost a young lady her life. but ZA finally reached his limit, at least as a free man. Any further crimes he may ever commit will be in prison, and he may not be dealt with as gently by other prisoners as he has been by society for far too many years.

 

[SteveP]

With ZA now sentenced to LWOP, and JA apparently having reached a deal that will not require him to stand trial, does anyone really believe that DA will not reach some sort of pre-trial plea agreement and also avoid trial? I guess there is a slight possibility that a jury would take pity on him because of his supposed low intelligence and probable abuse he suffered at the hands of his brother, but if I were his attorney, I wouldn't want to take that bet. I get the very real sense that people in that area are sick and tired of the lowlife trash ruining their community and are ready and willing to fry them all. If I was DA or his attorney, I would be seriously shopping for a deal to avoid a certain lifetime behind bars, or worse. JMO

 

[terpstra1]

With ZA now sentenced to LWOP, and JA apparently having reached a deal that will not require him to stand trial, does anyone really believe that DA will not reach some sort of pre-trial plea agreement and also avoid trial? I guess there is a slight possibility that a jury would take pity on him because of his supposed low intelligence and probable abuse he suffered at the hands of his brother, but if I were his attorney, I wouldn't want to take that bet. I get the very real sense that people in that area are sick and tired of the lowlife trash ruining their community and are ready and willing to fry them all. If I was DA, I would be seriously shopping for a deal to avoid a certain lifetime behind bars, or worse. JMO

I'm very interested in how this will play out. If the state had hoped to use the DP to persuade Dylan to take a plea agreement I would think that would be a game changer. Imo if Zack was given lwop they can't expect the DP for Dylan. If he hasn't signed an agreement as yet I think he deal for a sentenced to 25 to life with a chance for parole.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[kaen]

With ZA now sentenced to LWOP, and JA apparently having reached a deal that will not require him to stand trial, does anyone really believe that DA will not reach some sort of pre-trial plea agreement and also avoid trial? I guess there is a slight possibility that a jury would take pity on him because of his supposed low intelligence and probable abuse he suffered at the hands of his brother, but if I were his attorney, I wouldn't want to take that bet. I get the very real sense that people in that area are sick and tired of the lowlife trash ruining their community and are ready and willing to fry them all. If I was DA, I would be seriously shopping for a deal to avoid a certain lifetime behind bars, or worse. JMO

BBM: They may try to avoid a trial. With his brother found guilty on all counts, this may be right way to go. However, I think the family will want to get him no time, which may mean they go to trial unless a plea includes time served. That said, the state will be in a pickle if they give him consideration after lying and based on his family's word that he has "low intelligence."

This will be a difficult one for the state to deal on if they attach anything to intelligence level for a variety of reasons. DA was said to have an LD issue and was in special education classes. Historically, schools do not do IQ testing but rather functioning testing related to school performance. I would be surprised if DA had IQ testing. Even if he is "low intelligence" that does not mean that he does not understand what he is doing. If we look at his extended drug use and chaotic upbringing, his inability to read and tell time on an analog watch is not terribly surprising. ZA dropped out of high school and I am not sure if DA finished. <modsnip> AS an advocate for persons with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities, my take is to recognize functioning but states generally don't. If DA is adjudicated to be "low intelligence" and is not held accountable, there will be thousands of inmates who would deserve to have their cases reviewed. (IMHO)


"Low intelligence" is not MR as one can be in the very low end of average without meeting the numbers for MR. Then, there is the reality in the way most states have avoided attaching "low intelligence" to criminal punishments.

(https://www.researchgate.net/profil...re_Brookes/links/0fcfd50e5f3aa01096000000.pdf) In DP cases, this argument has garnered lots of attention as states (18 banned it, and some states it can be used as a mitigating factor, but the rest do not, as of 2007) have put to death convicted people who are "low intelligence" or MR even though advocacy groups have rallied hard to state these individuals are low functioning and may not have been aware of the consequences of their actions. At this point, I would say that because of impulsivity issue and lack of general understanding, people with lower levels of intelligence are at greatest risk for committing crimes. I don't see prosecutors cutting deals based on functioning that appears in a case like this. If so, then I see trouble in the future for the state.

This is not an easy question to grapple with. Yes, DA seems to have been victimized by the circle he ran with. especially his brother. However, he drives and participates in all daily living skills. Although he didn't hold jobs, we don't know if that is a function of his intelligence or his drug use. Family report that he is easily manipulated.

The prosecutors in this case have extensive history dealing with gangs, drug users, murderers, and the gamut. I would think they are very clear in believing that DA should be held criminally responsible for whatever they can charge and convict him of. With the DP off the table for ZA, I don't see DA being placed in a DP situation.

All above is JMHO.

 

[lstiff]

Good Morning peeps! I followed along on Twitter and FB all weekend and haven't had the chance to check back here. I'm catching up from all of the posts but see there is a mixed opinion on the outcome.

FWIW, I too wish they would have let the jury do the sentence OR had ZA admit guilt to take the plea. I guess in the end, part of the agreement was to allow Holly's mom to address him in open court. I read (no link sorry so hopefully it's been posted here) that the Bobo's were the ones who were "resistant" to the agreement so that tells me ZA was willing to take the plea without a fight. Just speculation, I'll try to find the link and come back to add it.

ETA: I see posts regarding DA and wonder if he will be seen as (or possibly is) the Brendan Dassey of this case. I've seen a few people mention BD when talking about this case so I'm really curious how his case will be approached now especially after Grandpa Adams' and JA testimony regarding him.

IMO

Happy Monday!

 

[Madeleine74]

I believe a deal could get reached for DA, maybe as low as a few decades in prison with the chance at parole after 25 or 30 years. Or maybe TN will go for LWOP and take the dp off the table if he pleads.

I guess it could get wrapped up in Nov or Dec, depending.

 

[dog.gone.cute]

:seeya: Good Morning, Y'all !

Just getting caught up here as I missed the "Sentencing" on Saturday ...

Wow ... and just when I thought this case could not have any more twists and turns :rollercoaster: an agreement is reached for ZA's sentence between the State and Defense. JMO I was surprised, but yet on the other hand, not surprised considering all that has happened in that courtroom the past two weeks.

I know I am in the very tiny minority here but IMO, there was a lot missing from the trial and I have many more questions today than I had back in April 2011 !

:moo::moo::moo:

 

[dog.gone.cute]

If you missed reading and thanking my post on the first page you may do so now. There is plenty of evidence and information about the case to discuss. Blaming others, besides the perp, is strongly discouraged. In fact it is a form of bashing and attacking them. Please post accordingly.

:seeya: Hi Harmony,

I do not want to post something that violates the rules here, but I just want to clarify if it is okay to discuss the following:

1. Is it okay to discuss a person whose name was brought up at trial - NOT to blame/bash them - but to show their connection to the perp(s), statements that were made by witnesses, statements to the MSM ?

2. Is it okay to discuss the other 2 perps (JA and DA) who are awaiting trial/deals, and SA, who committed suicide ?

3. Is it okay to discuss "beyond a reasonable doubt" - for example: that a person's testimony raises BARD ?


I totally understand that ZA was found guilty on all 8 counts by a jury, however, I still have many unanswered questions as to what the State presented at trial.

Oh, and by the way, I do believe it is probable that ZA was involved in these crimes, however, I just do not think it totally fits with JA's "story" he gave on the witness stand, as well as the timeline.

Thank you.

:moo: :moo: :moo: