TN - Chris Newsom, 23, & Channon Christian, 21, murdered, Knoxville, 6 Jan 2007 #14

[Muffet]

Next witness: Jamie Ford

He drove train by Chris' body... saw the smoke, looked down when he came up over it, realized it was a body. They stopped train, he insisted on walking back to make sure.

He says he saw that it was. TK asks for details.. he says it was a naked man who had been badly burned.

He called his boss, alerted LE...

 

[steelergirl]

This camera guy is horrible!!!! Didn't pan away in enough time...OMG those poor parents.

 

[Muffet]

Says this discovery happened around 12:15 - 12:23 PM.

Identifies where it was. Says he thought it was a homeless person...

TK has him identify some photographs.. hard to see... basically pointing out area... Shows a photo of Chris' body. (Camera man used his hand to block image this time.)

Now at the area map, marking the spots.

Passes witness; defense has no questions.

 

[Muffet]

This camera guy is horrible!!!! Didn't pan away in enough time...OMG those poor parents.

He didn't last time, either. Sheesh.

This time, I only looked when he put his hand over the camera, so I thought he caught it. I bet he catches hell for it this time for sure.

 

[William N]

Jamie Satterfield said by twitter than several female jurors flinched when they saw the photo of Chris Newsom's burned body.

 

[steelergirl]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Defense asking no ?s of timeline witnesses #cntrial 6 minutes ago via txt

Jury gets first look at Chris' burned body. Many flinched, especially women #cntrial
8 minutes ago via txt ((I did too))

Choo-choo! Train engineer J.D. Ford tells how he found Chris' body near tracks round 12:30 pm Sunday #cntrial 15 minutes ago via txt

 

[Muffet]

K9 and Fire investigator officer Watson up now. TK gets him accepted as a firearms and fire materials professional witness.

He's discussing his usual duties when investigating a scene he's called to. Waits for photos, drawings, etc., to be done by others...

Says they gather all evidence, then wash area down(?) then replace everything and try to recreate the scene/crime.

Talks about acclimating the K9 to the area, looking for the dog to alert, collecting evidence it alerts to...

 

[Muffet]

Describing the tedious details of his collection of evidence that day before he sent it to the crime lab.

Just generic, non-controversial stuff. I doubt the defense has any questions.

He's now being shown images... The camera man appears to be playing it safe and not showing the screen at all now.

 

[Chicken Hawk]

I have just finished reading all the previous 13 threads for this horrifying case. (Took about a week, lots of info). Anyway, just wanted to thank all of you for covering this trial and the other 3 before it.

I have read of lots of terrible cases on websleuths, but this one is by far the worst. Like most of you, I feel that they should all have gotten the DP, but am thankful that they are at least off the streets and unable to harm other innocent victims.

I pray for Chris and Channon's parents, that they will be able to try and have a normal life once this trial is over. Although, I know things will never be normal for them again.

Still hoping for Boyd to get his (trial I mean).

 

[lonetraveler]

Thanks so much for the play by play. It didn't take very long to catch up. I'm a bit surprised that the "defense" of Coleman is so simple. :banghead:

 

[Muffet]

TK Passes witness. Defense has no questions. Witness released to go back to Nashville.

 

[lonetraveler]

Is that rather substantial baliff standing there to block the camera angle from Coleman?

 

[Muffet]

Russle Whitfield, from the Knoxville Forensic unit.

 

[Muffet]

Identifying the area he was called to investigate (RR track area where Chris was found) and pieces of fabric, dog leash, etc. that he found, photo'd and collected:

 

[lonetraveler]

He is such a "happy" person to be in such a profession. Just a thought. Sorry.

 

[Muffet]

I have just finished reading all the previous 13 threads for this horrifying case. (Took about a week, lots of info). Anyway, just wanted to thank all of you for covering this trial and the other 3 before it.

I have read of lots of terrible cases on websleuths, but this one is by far the worst. Like most of you, I feel that they should all have gotten the DP, but am thankful that they are at least off the streets and unable to harm other innocent victims.

I pray for Chris and Channon's parents, that they will be able to try and have a normal life once this trial is over. Although, I know things will never be normal for them again.

Still hoping for Boyd to get his (trial I mean).

So glad you joined us, CH. ITA - It's the worst I've ever seen too, and Boyd needs to be tried on all this.

My heart also breaks for these parents. Such good people, with great kids. It's horrifying to think such things can happen.

 

[Muffet]

Defense crossed a little, but I didn't get what they were getting at, if anything.

Price calls next witness.

 

[Muffet]

Laura Hodge

Special agent forensic scientist for the Tennesee Bureau of Forensic Investigation. Her specific job is fire debris and gunshot microanalyses...

Discussing her creds... She's accepted as an expert witness.

 

[Muffet]

Going over her methods of analyzing evidence... places a activated charcoal in a can with the evidence (like a fabric strip), heats it, then analyzes the strip for chems, like ignitable liquids, etc., it absorbs.

Price entering exhibits into evidence. Going over her report.

This is just more testimony to show the jury that Chris was set on fire with gasoline... I doubt the defense will dispute any of it. I think we covered more details in the old threads.

OK, defense up.. asks when she received the sample. Answer: Jan 17.
Asks about her saying gas would evaporate in 7 days... she says yes, but not if it is in the can.
Asks if it could have been gasahol. Lost me.
She goes further into the airtight containers they use.

He asks when they were collected, because it isn't stated on her report. She says that she has notes that say it was collected on Jan 10.

Defense releases her.

Judge calls for a 10 minute break.

 

[Muffet]

Back in session.

State calls Km Price. Evidence technician for Knoxville PD.