Zach Adams will serve life behind bars for the murder of Holly Bobo. There are still questions about the trial: How did Adams cut a deal to dodge the death penalty? And was he staring back at Holly's mother Karen when she spoke to him at sentencing?
Adams' attorney Jennifer Thompson is speaking out.
"I'm just still hear sick that we lost," said Thompson in an exclusive interview.
She still believes her client Zach Adams is innocent, but a jury did not agree and convicted him in the kidnapping, rape and murder of Holly Bobo.
Thompson said the jury left no doubt.
"As they are polling the jury to see if this is your verdict the jurors were yelling out yes -- that's my verdict before the judge got to them. So, they were enthusiastically claiming the verdict," said Thompson.
At that moment she said she knew what would happen at sentencing. "I thought the jury was going to come back with death." Thompson revealed there had actually been plea talks during the trial -- but, Adams refused to listen hoping for an acquittal.
But after the verdict the prosecution offered a deal of life in prison -- no parole.
"That was a deal he had to take," said Thompson. But with one catch -- Holly's mother Karen wanted to look him in the eye at sentencing.
"I would like Mr. Adams to look at me when I am speak to him. I know that my daughter fought hard and fought hard for her life," said Karen Bobo from the witness stand.
"When she said look at me ... he was looking at her. He sat there with a neutral expression on his face," said Thompson who after sentencing approached Karen.
"Karen Bobo was standing there and I said may I speak to you? She said yes. I just want you to know what you did today is an incredible gift to my client," said Thompson.
Karen had said the decision had nothing to do with Adams, but more with the future of her family.
Still, -- whatever the reason -- Thompson knows the sentencing plea spared her client's life.
"I can't thank them enough for taking death off the table," said Thompson.
Other defendants in the case -- Jason Autry and Dylan Adams are still awaiting trial.
We'll learn more about their cases at a status hearing in November.
