Here in West Tennessee, there has been a huge case going on for the last nine years, that all West Tennesseans know: The Holly Bobo Kidnapping/Murder. It has been a hot topic for discussion for the last almost decade. It’s an awful story of a young woman taken from her home, then brutally raped and murdered. And that is an event that we (rural West Tennesseans) like to think that “this just doesn’t happen here.” Unfortunately, this happens everywhere. I’m currently working on a larger project involving this case but due to current events I thought that I would comment on the things that are going on right now.
As of writing this post on September 15th, 2020, the most recent event in the case was the sentencing of Jason Autry, yesterday. Autry appeared in court and plead guilty to all charges: facilitating especially aggravated kidnapping and solicitation of murder one.
Autry testified in the 2017 trial of Zachary Adams. Adams was then convicted of all charges in his case, due in a large part, to Autry’s testimony. Autry made arrangements with the prosecution to receive a lesser sentence if he co-operated with the investigation. And because of this arrangement he is scheduled to be released “later this week” in an undisclosed location.
Now, as an avid follower of the events, trial, and the case in general, I’m upset about this ruling. I have tweeted that “He was down for whatever, so he should go down for whatever.” And this is truly how I feel! He was involved in almost all aspects of the kidnapping, murder, and disposal of Holly. I don’t feel that 6 years is adequate for this. That is even with taking into account how monumental his testimony was in the conviction of Zach Adams. I wouldn’t feel this was fair if it were my daughter. And as a mother of a daughter I do not feel safe know that he’s “out here.”
Learning of what this sentencing meant made my blood boil. I just do not have one positive feeling about it. Yes, I’m grateful that he gave his testimony and other convictions were able to be made. Yes, I’m glad that the family has answers. But as a citizen of the area I just do not like this one bit! I KNOW that for a long time going forward, I will be more on edge when out in public, and when my children are out in public. I just keep thinking he should serve more time that 6 years. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s how I feel.
The Bobo family are content with yesterday’s proceedings as well as all previous proceedings. So, I guess that should be enough for the rest of us.
Stay safe, stay rad, and wash your DANG hands!
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