The Murder of Channon Christian/Christopher Newsom

[beemer]

Heads up: Someone on another well known crime board I frequent posted that they are in contact with someone who is definitely going to write a true crime book about this case. He also said they he is in contact with another person who is thinking about writing a book about this case; that book would have to be self published.

and that Jupiter Films is thinking about doing a piece about this case.

Thanks for the heads up. Horrible crime

[dan_uk]

update

Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas and Vanessa Coleman have all been granted new trials due to Judge Richard Baumgartner's drug addiction and the crimes that went along with it. They will all be in court January 12 for a Motion Hearing.

[beemer]

update

Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas and Vanessa Coleman have all been granted new trials due to Judge Richard Baumgartner's drug addiction and the crimes that went along with it. They will all be in court January 12 for a Motion Hearing.

Thanks for the update. I feel for the Families. I watched some of the trial thru live stream. My heart broke for them all but to watch Channon's Father in that Courtroom............Horrifying they have to go thru trial all over again

[SaraSidle]

Thanks for the update. I feel for the Families. I watched some of the trial thru live stream. My heart broke for them all but to watch Channon's Father in that Courtroom............Horrifying they have to go thru trial all over again

so hard to believe. you are right............the poor families

[dan_uk]

New trial dates set for Channon Christian Chris Newsom defendants in Knoxville


The special judge handling the retrials of the defendants in connection with the January 2007 murders of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom murders says he'd like to have all the cases completed by the end of the year.

On Thursday, Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood set out the court dates for all four suspects:

Lemaricus Davidson: June 11
Letalvis Cobbins: August 27
George Thomas: October 22
Vanessa Coleman: November 12

Judge Blackwood also heard motions requesting a change of venue for the trials.
Attorneys for the defendants argued that the intense media coverage -- in print, on television and online -- would prevent their clients from receiving fair trials in Knox County.

But Knox County Assistant District Attorney Takisha Fitzgerald argued that Davidson's previous trial, which was not relocated, should serve as proof that an unbiased jury could be found in Knox County.

In the end, the judge denied a venue change but agreed to bring in jurors from other parts of the state for each trial.

Also at the hearing, Coleman's attorney, Ted Lavit, asked the judge to set bail for his client, citing the fact that she is not charged with a capital offense and had no criminal record when she was arrested at age 18.

Fitzgerald asked for the bail to be set at $1 million, and the judge agreed.

Coleman was 18 when she was arrested, and had no previous record.

Before the hearing ending, Judge Blackwood set several dates for motions and other business for Cobbins and Davidson.

Gary Christian later told 10News that prosecutors told him they planned to ask permission from the state attorney general to go to the appellate court and ask that court to consider the state's appeal of Judge Blackwood's decision to grant new trials.

The DA's office could not confirm that.



http://www.wbir.com/news/article/200...s-in-Knoxville

[dan_uk]

Five years later: Families mourn Channon Christian, Chris Newsom

Since that fateful day in January 2007, Channon Christian and Chris Newsom have become familiar names across East Tennessee.

Their kidnapping, carjacking, rape and murder triggered intrigue by the public. Now, five years since their death, the parents wonder what their children would've been doing today.

"We probably would've had another grandbaby, Chris would've been married," said Mary Newsom, the mother of Chris Newsom.

"(Channon) would've been doing something helping kids somewhere," Channon Christian's mom, Deena, added.

Five years have passed since the murders, but both families are still struggling with their losses.

"It's something every day we think about," Channon's father Gary said. "But today, the things I've been thinking about brings back some anger."

"During the holidays- there would be this vacant seat Chris would've sat in," said Chris' father Hugh.

There have been many changes in the families' lives since 2007. The house at the center of the investigation was torn down in 2009. A memorial on Chipman Street remains today.

"We could've believe what had taken place, we had no idea what went on," Mary Newsom added.

Both families thought they would have more peace by now. However, only last month they learned all the defendants' in the murders; Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas, and Vanessa Coleman, would get new trials.

Today, the emotional roller coaster continues as they wonder if they'll ever see justice for their kids.

"It's time for the Tennessee Supreme Court to stand up and say what's right. If they don't I don't think I can have respect for them anymore," Gary Christian said.

As the long legal process essentially starts over, these parents can only imagine life with Channon and Chris.

"I wonder what my life would've been like if this hadn't happened," Mary Newsom said.


http://www.wbir.com/news/article/199...s%7Cbc%7Clarge

[beemer]

Thanks for the updates Dan. So very sad To relive those horrifying facts is beyond heartbreaking.