As I promised in a previous thread, I was in the courtroom today. All the above posts are excellent. When the hearing was over and VC was being led away, she turned toward her family and smiled and winked.
Something that is forgotten at the moment is that sperm from two males was found on Channon's undergarments in a final test just before the trials started in 2009. The DNA didn't belong to any of the suspects and their known friends. Nor did it match Chris Newsom's DNA.
This means there may well be more trials in the future. I have wondered why no suspect named these other two individuals as part of the "blame the others" defense already being used. We won't know for sure until DNA matches are made, but I wonder if they even knew the names. They might have just wandered into the Chipman St. house and taken part.
George Thomas, for example, supposedly didn't have a record and was identified because he hung around with Cobbins. They may even have been juveniles. Just some theories I'm throwing out.
David From TN
Hi, everyone. I had followed these trials closely, and just checked back to see if there was anything new. I see that Vanessa got a good sentence. I'm sure she will be out in 15-20 years, but at least the prime of her life is taken from her. I do actually feel sorry for her parents though.
As for the unidentified DNA found on channon's clothing, I guess that still remains a mystery. Sure seems that if someone else had been there, the others would have thrown them under the bus. I recall that some of Channon's clothing had been given to Daphne and she said something about being with some guys that weekend. I wonder if somehow their DNA got on those clothes and those clothes found their way back to the house. I don't recall where exactly that DNA was found (item of clothing) and where that clothing was discovered by the police? Any idea?
I do wish a good author would write a book about this crime. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but the cases were so complicated with the lies everyone was telling that its hard to keep track of what gaps there were. Certainly Boyd was far more involved in chris's killing and has gotten off light so far. I would sort of be interested in seeing some of the evidence admitted at trial (so hard to see on webcasts). But maybe the families dont want a book written which is understandable
David, thanks for the info. Very interesting. I do think you're right that that unknown DNA was found on Channon's underwear, but for the life of me I can't remember where her underwear was found. Do you recall?
Ok, I see from an article about how the semen was found on her panties found in a trashbag inside the Chipman house. Doesnt indicate where in teh house. So many unanswered questions about this case. That unknown DNA is strange. Davidson's defense team knew to have it tested right before trial, so they suspected something was there. So I'm guessing Davidson told them something; he knew there was semen there to be found that wouldnt match the defendants. Strange
I know i'm a little late. I knew about this horrible case when it happened. But it was too upsetting to read about for me then.
I spent all weekend catching up on all the trials and stuff.
Is there where everything ends?
I'm so upset about Vanessa getting found not guilty for so many things and her smiling and laughing in court. I wish there was something someone could do.
I wish someone would torture her! I know that wasn't very nice.
Anyway, is the end of the story?
The story won't be over for a long time. There will be hearings on appeals for a new trial for each defendant early next year. Cobbins comes first in January, Davidson in February. I plan to attend the Davidson hearing.
Since Davidson received a death sentence, it will be appealed to kingdom come for decades. There is almost zero chance of him ever being executed. Two Tennessee death row inmates scheduled to die in the next few days for brutal murders of which there is no doubt, have just had their executions put off for 3-4 months.
As for the other defendants, as long as they are breathing, they can walk out of prison (even the two sentenced to "life without parole"). Vanessa Coleman comes up for parole in about 10 years.
David In TN
The story won't be over for a long time. There will be hearings on appeals for a new trial for each defendant early next year. Cobbins comes first in January, Davidson in February. I plan to attend the Davidson hearing.
Since Davidson received a death sentence, it will be appealed to kingdom come for decades. There is almost zero chance of him ever being executed. Two Tennessee death row inmates scheduled to die in the next few days for brutal murders of which there is no doubt, have just had their executions put off for 3-4 months.
As for the other defendants, as long as they are breathing, they can walk out of prison (even the two sentenced to "life without parole"). Vanessa Coleman comes up for parole in about 10 years.
David In TN
Ugh
It's so not fair!
They should all be put to death for what they did!
And Vanessa.....i hate her most of all w/ her laughing and smiling at the trial! (What was up w/ her jury? Did they not see and hear the same things we did? Did they not see her journal either????? I mean....come on!)
I think she should be tortured to death!
I'm so angry about this story.
I guess all we can do now is pray for Chris and Channon's familes that they can somehow find peace through all this.
Their lives will never be the same.
All because these monsters were able to breathe the same air as the rest of us.
I wish they would all die.
Ok i better stop.