SAVANNAH, Tenn. — Dylan Adams, one of the men accused in the murder of nursing student Holly Bobo, has entered an Alford plea in the case.
Also known as a best interest plea, it allows Adams, 30, to maintain his innocence while acknowledging the evidence against him would likely lead to a conviction. He will serve 35 years in prison for facilitation of first-degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping. Adams’ attorney asked the judge to take previous time served into consideration.
“Our goal as it was when we started was to punish this man as much as we could,” said prosecutor Paul Hagerman.
Adams made a short statement through his attorney that Holly and her brother Clint were never associated with the defendants. This came after the third defendant in the case, Jason Autry, made accusations about drug ties.
“My daughter nor my son have ever in any way had any involvement with any of these people,” said Karen Bobo, Holly’s mother.
Judge C. Creed McGinley gave prosecutors and lawyers for Adams until Monday to reach an agreement that would let him avoid trial and up to 51 years behind bars. He was scheduled to appear early Monday morning, but the attorneys quickly asked for a recess to continue their negotiations.
Bobo was 20 years old when she disappeared from her home in Parsons in April 2011. Her remains were found in September 2014 in woods, not far from her home.
Adams’ older brother Zachary Adams is serving life plus 50 years in prison for kidnapping, raping and killing Bobo.
Prosecutors say Zachary Adams played the biggest role in Bobo’s murder and was the defendant they were seeking the harshest punishment for.
“Honestly, there’s really no such thing as closure when something like this happens; Justice, some justice; but, not there’s no closure,” said Karen Bobo. “She’s still the last thing on my mind when I go to bed every night and the first thing when I wake up every morning.”
Cindy Adams, the mother of Zach and Dylan, released the following statement to the media:
“This situation is a terrible and tragic situation for the Bobos AND the Adams family. We want justice for Holly too. Unfortunately, justice isn’t being served. My boys are innocent. My son Dylan chose to take a ‘best interest plea’ due to the unfair trial he knew he would get. I will always believe in my sons’ innocence & will continue to fight for justice for Holly and for my boys.”
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