BOLIVAR, TN (abc24.com) - The mother of Adam Mayes, the man accused of killing a mother and daughter, then kidnapping the two surviving daughters, has had new charges brought against her for her alleged role in the crimes.
Mary Mayes has been charged with two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping; she was previously charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit especially aggravated kidnapping. Her bond was set at $500,000 during a May 22 court appearance.
Her son was on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list for the murders of 31-year-old Jo Ann Bain and her 14-year-old daughter Adrienne, and the kidnapping of 12-year-old Alexandria and 8-year-old Kyliyah Bain on April 27 in Whiteville, Tenn.
Adam Mayes, 35, shot himself in the head after authorities, acting on a tip, found him and the girls in a wooded area near New Albany, Miss. on May 10. Mayes was later pronounced dead at an area hospital. Alexandra and Kyliyah Bain were taken to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. to be treated for poison ivy and dehydration, but were otherwise unharmed. The girls have since been released from the hospital.
Adam's widow, Teresa Mayes, was also charged with two counts of first degree murder and four counts especially aggravated kidnapping for her role in the killings and abductions. The investigation has revealed that Adam Mayes strangled Jo Ann and Adrienne Bain at their Hardeman County residence then he and Teresa Mayes transported their bodies to Union County, Miss., where they were later discovered in a shallow grave behind the residence of Mary Mayes.
“Further investigation led us to some additional facts where we felt like we could charge her with criminal responsibility as a principal,” said District Attorney Mike Dunavant.
According to court documents, authorities now believe that Mayes confined 12-year-old Alexandria Bain and 8-year-old Kyliyah Bain after her son and daughter-in-law took them from their Tennessee home to Mississippi.
Defense Lawyer Terry Dycus says the state will have a hard time proving it.
“I guess that they feel there is some culpability, mental culpability as a principal in the act even though there's no proof she was in Tennessee,” Dycus said.
Even if prosecutors prove that point, Mary Mayes could have another defense: a legitimate fear of her son Adam that made her do the unthinkable.
“Being in jail for most people is a very uncomfortable place, as most of you know, but for the first time in 25 years our client is resting comfortably because she's no longer in fear of her son and what he may do,” Dycus said.
Preliminary hearings for Mary and Teresa Mayes were rescheduled for June 19 pending psychological evaluations of the two women.
