Episodes

  • Bonus Episode: The Eve of Court - May 18, 2025
    May 18 2025

    Join Dana McLendon, the co-host of the Trial and Error Podcast, as he provides an exclusive update on the high-stakes legal battle in the case of State v. Zachary Adams. In this gripping episode, listeners are taken to the eve of a crucial post-conviction relief hearing, set to unravel the troubling details of a controversial trial.

    More than a decade after the tragic disappearance and murder of Holly Bobo, Zach Adams stands at the center of a potential judicial reckoning, fighting to prove his innocence against all odds. With a cast of compelling legal minds, including newly appointed judges and seasoned prosecutors, justice hangs in the balance.

    Through careful examination of evidence, witness testimonies, and potential prosecutorial misconduct, this episode delves into the heart of a story where truth and liberty collide. As Dana McLendon shares his year-long investigation and belief in Zach's innocence, listeners are invited on a narrative journey filled with suspense, legal intrigue, and the tireless pursuit of truth. Tune in as the evidence unfolds, promising a week filled with revelations and courtroom drama not to be missed.

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    7 mins
  • Episode 7: Truth Becomes Irrelevant - Caught Red-Handed
    May 7 2025

    Step into the heart of a gripping mystery as we uncover the questionable circumstances surrounding Dylan Adams' so-called confession. On the evening of September 17, 2014, special agents Brent Booth and Jeff Jackson listened to Adams narrate a chilling tale, but not everything was as it seemed. In this episode, we delve into the intricate web woven by law enforcement and another curious figure, Dennis Benjamin, whose influence on the investigation raises more questions than answers.

    With Holly Bobo's remains freshly discovered after three years of haunting searches, the pressure mounts. Yet, as we dissect this confession, the inconsistencies and manipulations become glaringly apparent. Dylan's learning disabilities and vulnerability to suggestion paint a disturbing picture of influence and coercion. How did his federal charges mysteriously resolve, and why was he pulled into a narrative that seemed barely his own?

    Join us as we unravel the manipulation tactics used, the memory games at play, and the broader implications for justice and truth. This is more than an interrogation—it's a story of power, vulnerability, and the murky waters of criminal justice, compelling us to question what we understand about confessions and their validity.

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    47 mins
  • Episode 6: Eye on the Sparrow - Jan 16, 2025 Court hearing with defense attorney Jennifer Thompson
    Apr 23 2025

    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

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    31 mins
  • Episode 5: Prey for the Wicked - Terry Britt Testifies
    Apr 17 2025

    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

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    50 mins
  • Episode 4: "IT" - A Hard Look at Terry Britt
    Apr 10 2025

    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?

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    31 mins
  • Bonus Episode: Update on March 21, 2025 Court Hearing
    Mar 26 2025

    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.

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    10 mins
  • Episode 3 (Part 2): Train the Witness - examining Jason Autry's trial testimony
    Mar 22 2025

    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.

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    33 mins
  • Episode 3 (Part 1): Train the Witness - examining Jason Autry's trial testimony
    Mar 21 2025

    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.

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    40 mins
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