GUILTY TN - Chris Newsom, 23, & Channon Christian, 21, murdered, Knoxville, 6 Jan 2007 #17

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Fed prosecutor Dave Jennings 1st defense witness. He is not happy to be here

Judge chastises Gary Christian a/f claims he made "derogatory comments" to defense. He denies it

 

[William N]

Lavit is saying that Mr. Christian said derogatory comments in passing, not directly. Lavit says he deals with this all the time as a defense attorney but hesitates to report it. So why does he report it this time? Yes, he's just doing his job but he must understand the anger that Mr. Christian has. I think if it had been me I would have let it go, no need to embarrass Mr. Christian.

We need to remember that most of the time there is one trial and it's over. In this case, counting the 2008 federal trial for Eric Boyd, there have been FIVE trials. The parents have had to sit through this horrific testimony again and again.

David From TN

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Feds jumped in case when Channon's body found and carjacking - a fed crime - seemed likely, Jennings says

Jennings sounds nervous. It's lot diff being witness than veteran prosecutor

 

[Muffet]

David Jennings

 

[MCDRAW]

The little girl voice is something I noticed when hearing the recordings of the police interviews. The defense hopes some jurors feel sorry for poor Vanessa, perhaps especially when TK cross-examines her. That might be enough for a hung jury on Channon's murder along with not guilty for Chris.

I believe that is the main idea for having her take the stand. The defense attorneys hope some jurors will feel sympathy for Vanessa. I write this as someone who has seen the jurors.

David From TN

Do you think that the ME testimony and the journal entry will change these juriors minds? A hung jury would be terrible for these parents of the victims.

 

[SuziQ]

Oh boy, here we go with Daphne. David says there was no proof Daphne had anything to do with crime.

lol, Leland objecting because this is defense witness and no reason to be hostile with him etc.

 

[SuziQ]

Judge says sarcastic and not relevant. Regarding whether Daphne and her friends lied.

 

[Muffet]

Defense capitalizing on juror interest in Daphne's involvement and lack of charges.

Now into a petty "I've suffered through this more than you" thing.

 

[Indianagirl]

I'm thinking Lavitt needs to get a thicker skin if he is going to continue to be a defense attorney.

The same thing happened in Davidson's trial. The judge addressed it then, as well. I believe it was rumored one of the family members called a defense attorney a jerk. If I remember correctly, the Judge was much more harsh when addressing the family members that time. Thank goodness this is the last trial!

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Lavit starts w/ asking about immunity but we've yet to get to an answer

 

[William N]

Do you think tshat the ME testimony and the journal entry will change these juriors minds? A hung jury would be terrible for these parents of the victims.

I hope so, but the excuse would be that the other 3 have been convicted, isn't that enough? If the jury doesn't hang on one (or both) murder counts, there will be a compromise verdict. This is guilty on some, not guilty on others.

I will also say that some jurors didn't look like they would sympathize with VC.

I'm leaving the computer for a time. I'll be back later.

David From TN

 

[lizzybeth]

Lavit talks about he's lived with this case for 40 mos. and he knows the details, but he doesn't know that Jennings was not the one to interview VC. I guess he doesn't know as much as he thought he did.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Lavit going down the Daphne road again. She lied, hid Davidson, etc but not charged, he notes

 

[MCDRAW]

Lavit talks about he's lived with this case for 40 mos. and he knows the details, but he doesn't know that Jennings was not the one to interview VC. I guess he doesn't know as much as he thought he did.

I wonder how Lavitt thinks he has lived with this case longer than Jennings. Since Lavitt wouldn't have gotten the case until he was appointed it.

 

[Muffet]

Interruptions here are making it hard to follow the testimony. I hope she doesn't testify until tomorrow, if at all.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Lavit noting feds knew about the journal when drafted immunity deal for Coleman

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Immunity deal drafted in anticipation of Coleman pleading the 5th - Jennings. She didn't so never put in action

 

[Muffet]

Explaining that only the carjacking was under their federal jurisdiction. The rest was up to the state.

 

[SuziQ]

Any rape, murder, etc are state crimes to prosecute. The Feds involved in carjacking. Immunity was offered in reference to carjacking.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Only jurisdiction feds had is carjacking - Jennings