Concern and questions have been raised about just how trustworthy a co-defendant in the Holly Bob murder trial will be.
Even though Jason Autry cut a deal to testify against Zach Adams, tipped prosecutors to the location of the alleged murder weapon, experts said it won't be hard to prove Autry is a liar.
Jason Autry did an exclusive interview with Newschannel 5 from his cell at Riverbend Maximum Security Prison three years ago, but it's a safe bet what he said then and what he's now telling prosecutors will be different.
"No sir, right hand before God. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I didn't bother that girl in no form or no fashion. Do you know who did? No, sir," said Autry back in 2014.
Autry, and brothers Zach Dylan Adams were the three people charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly Bobo.
If convicted, all three could face the death penalty.
Zach will stand trial first in September.
Autry cut a deal with prosecutors giving him immunity to testify against Zach.
"His testimony is extremely important,' said Newschannel5 legal analyst Nick Leonardo who believed Autry is the one who only last month tipped prosecutors to the location of the alleged murder weapon.
"Mr. Autry had to be the one to divulge to the TBI the whereabouts of this firearm," said Leonardo.
But the question of whether or not the weapon is the real deal or a false distraction lingered. Autry told Newschannel 5 he had nothing to do with Bobo's death.
"I don't want to speculate and make a rumor of what happened to the girl," said Autry.
At the time, Autry said he refused offers from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation during several visits to turn on his friend.
"It was a try to be a forced move to get me to bear false witness against Zack Adams," said Autry. That was three years ago.
The defense will use his past words against him. "It begs the question: Are you simply doing this to get consideration for yourself," said Leonardo.
The Bobo trial is set to begin on September 11.
