Trial & Error

Dana McLendon III & Dr. Katie Spirko

Criminal defense attorney Dana McLendon III and neuropsychologist Dr. Katie Spirko examine the tragic true story of the abduction and murder of Holly Bobo.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Episode 1: Unfinished Business - w/ US Marshal John Walker (retd.)

    In the heart-wrenching premiere episode of "Trial and Error," unfold the events of one of Tennessee's most baffling and grim mysteries: the disappearance and murder of 20 year old nursing student Holly Bobo. A serene morning in a small town is shattered, sparking an emotional six-year journey involving relentless law enforcement, a tightly-knit community's hopes and fears, and numerous suspects. Dive into the enthralling investigation that entangles veteran U.S. Marshal John Walker, who is determined to challenge the convictions and search for the true culprit. Join us as we explore the savage impact of drugs on this rural community, the prominence of media scrutiny, and the poignant toll on Holly's family. Through gripping interviews and expert storytelling, follow the intricate pathways of cell tower data, witness accounts, and the shattering revelations of insiders willing to unveil hidden truths. Discover the tireless pursuit of justice that compels seasoned lawyer Dana McLendon III and forensic neuropsychologist Dr. Katie Spirko to delve deeper into the case, determined to shine a light on questionable verdicts marking the end, or perhaps just the beginning, of this quest for truth.

    34 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Episode 2: Train's a Comin - w/ Recanting Star Witness Jason Autry

    Dr. Katie Spirko takes you behind the barbed wire fences of Shelby County Penal Farm, where she meets with co-defendant turned star witness for the State, Jason Autry. Now 8 years after the trial and with nothing to gain from changing his story, Jason Autry provides a detailed account of how and why he lied at Zach Adams's 2017 trial for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Holly Bobo, including shocking allegations about who helped him construct the testimony that got Zach Adams convicted despite no physical evidence linking him to the crime.

    1h 4m

  3. EPISODE 3

    Episode 3 (Part 1): Train the Witness - examining Jason Autry's trial testimony

    Join us in Episode 3 of Trial and Error, as hosts Dana McLendon and Dr. Katie Spirko continue their deep dive into the haunting mystery of Holly Bobo's disappearance and murder. This episode brings you to a crucial point in the 2017 trial of Zach Adams, shedding light on the lone trial that sought justice for Holly. Discover how a contentious testimony from Jason Autry shaped the prosecution’s case but left many questions unanswered. After a recap of the previous episodes—where we heard from U.S. Marshal John Walker and learned about the initial twists of a convoluted investigation—we delve into the heart of Autry's statements. Dr. Spirko guides us through the courtroom drama, examining the inconsistencies and unbelievable claims made under oath, all while trying to understand the motivations that could drive a man to lie in such a high-profile case. We unravel the layers of truth and deceit surrounding Jason Autry's testimony, questioning the reliability of a witness caught between the pressures of legal battles and personal demons. As Autry paints scenes of murder and chaos, his narrative clashes against logical analysis and the physical evidence—or lack thereof. The pursuit of justice for Holly Bobo reveals not only a labyrinth of legal tactics but also a profound reflection on the human capacity for honesty and manipulation. Tune in as we explore the delicate balance between truth and fiction in the Holly Bobo case, and what it means for justice in this harrowing saga. Don’t miss part two, where more revelations await.

    40 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Episode 3 (Part 2): Train the Witness - examining Jason Autry's trial testimony

    In this gripping episode of 'Trial and Error,' we continue to delve deep into the controversial testimony of Jason Autry, whose words played a pivotal role in the trial of Zach Adams. Journey with us as we dissect the intricacies of Autry's narrative, the peculiar vocabulary choices that suggest coaching, and the implausibilities that cast doubt on his story. As we unravel the details of a murder trial that captivated the nation, discover how Autry's testimony single-handedly introduced critical elements of kidnapping, rape, and murder charges against Zach Adams. His words, placing Adams at the scene and implicating others, appear meticulously crafted, leaving listeners to question the truth behind his declarations. Join us as we explore alternative narratives, scrutinize law enforcement's investigation, and highlight the voices that claimed the real culprit was another man. This episode is a compelling examination of how one man's story swayed a jury and altered the course of justice.

    33 min

  5. EPISODE 5 BONUS

    Bonus Episode: Update on March 21, 2025 Court Hearing

    In this bonus episode of the Trial and Error Podcast, co-host Dana McLendon III updates listeners on the recent March 21, 2025, hearing in Zach Adams's post-conviction relief petition. Please also check out our YouTube channel @TrialandErrorPodcast for a YouTube video update on this hearing with Dana and co-host Dr. Katie Spirko.

    10 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Episode 4: "IT" - A Hard Look at Terry Britt

    Join forensic neuropsychologist Dr. Katie Spirko and criminal defense attorney Dana McLendon III in taking a hard look at (multi-convicted serial rapist and kidnapper) Terry Britt - the man long suspected of evading justice for the kidnapping, assault, and murder of Holly Bobo. There is good reason for the suspicion. In Part 1 of this episode, Terry Britt’s background, motives, means, and opportunity for this crime are examined, with chilling never-before-heard audio footage and investigation details the State has managed to keep buried for over a decade, all while innocent men languish in prison, paying for Terry Britt’s crime.  And if all that’s not bad enough, Terry Britt was just released from federal custody in March of 2025 (for SEPARATE kidnapping and sexual battery charges!!) and is now free to return to the same rural, West Tennessee community he has terrorized for decades. Will yet another victim have to join Holly’s fate before this fatal injustice is corrected?

    31 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Episode 5: Prey for the Wicked - Terry Britt Testifies

    Forensic neuropsychologist, Dr. Katie Spirko, and veteran criminal defense attorney, Dana McLendon III, analyze the testimony of Terry Britt, a convicted kidnapping rapist, as this once-prime suspect takes the stand as State’s witness during the trial of Zach Adams. With a history riddled with violent crime and deceit, Britt's testimony is a tangled web of lies. The episode delves into the unsettling contradictions and nerve-wracking exchanges between Britt and the prosecution as the State of Tennessee essentially vouches for this vicious criminal, allowing Britt to mock the law enforcement who worked tirelessly to bring justice for Holly, including former Special Agent Terry Dicus, Jr., who served as the lead TBI case agent for two years of the investigation and ruled out Zach and Dylan Adams, along with co-defendants Shayne Austin and Jason Autry, as viable suspects after conclusively confirming their alibis years before they were wrongly charged. Listen in as your co-hosts peel back the layers of Britt's unreliable narrative, revealing the sinister undertones of his past deeds and undeniable links to the case.    Terry Dicus’s book, The Untold Story of the Abduction of Holly Bobo, is available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/7V6atJ0

    50 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Episode 6: Eye on the Sparrow - Jan 16, 2025 Court hearing with defense attorney Jennifer Thompson

    Join Dr. Katie Spirko and Dana McLendon on a trip to Savannah, TN, for a court hearing and a stop by Zach Adams’ ransacked family home. They are joined by Jennifer Thompson, Zach’s former defense trial attorney, who pulls back the curtain on the flawed investigation and court proceedings leading to his wrongful conviction in 2017. Zach Adams was sent to prison, along with his brother Dylan, without a shred of physical evidence to back the co-defendant’s since-recanted testimony falsely implicating Zach for the 2011 disappearance and death of Holly Bobo, a 20-year-old nursing student from Dardin, TN, who vanished from her home one morning on the way to school, prompting what would become the most expensive, exhaustive investigation in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s history. But with all those resources, did they get it right?? Spoiler alert: the answer is a resounding NO. Find us on YouTube at @trialanderrorpodcast and wherever you stream podcasts to find out how this was ever allowed to happen.   Visit our website at: www.thetrialanderrorpodcast.com

    31 min
See All Season 1 (17)

Trailer

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About

Criminal defense attorney Dana McLendon III and neuropsychologist Dr. Katie Spirko examine the tragic true story of the abduction and murder of Holly Bobo.

Information

  • Creator
    Dana McLendon III & Dr. Katie Spirko
  • Episodes
    18
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Trial & Error

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