TN - Chris Newsom, 23, & Channon Christian, 21, murdered, Knoxville, 6 Jan 2007 #18

[yeknomaras]

Hi, yeknomaras. There have been 4 trials previous to this:

1. Eric Boyd was tried in federal court (over a year ago) only for accessory after the fact and failure to report the murder. He was convicted and got 18 years.

The parents of Chris and Channon, and I think all of us here, want him tried for the murders themselves - or Chris' at least, since we're convinced he was in on that. The fed who testified yesterday said so as well, and I don't understand why he hasn't been charged.

Then came the Letalvis Cobbins trial. He was the younger brother of the ringleader, Davidson. I didn't follow his trial, but from what I have read, the jury only gave him life without parole and found him not guilty on Chris' death because they did not understand the nature of criminal responsibility, basically meaning his helpful actions made him as responsible as if he pulled the trigger.

Then we had the Lemaricus Davidson trial, which was a holy nightmare. The defense was disgusting, attempting to paint a scenario wherein Channon and Chris went to the house, she prostituted herself to Davidson for drugs, then he left and his friends and brother committed the rapes and murders.
Blessedly, the evidence was so strong against such an outrageous lie, the jury didn't buy it. They sentenced him to death.

Then came the George Thomas trial. There was no DNA of his anywhere, but the jury found him guilty anyway, because they did understand Criminal Responsibility. He got life without parole.

Now we have Vanessa Coleman, the last one, unless we can get Boyd tried as he should be.
She was there, she helped, so she too should be found guilty by criminal responsibility, or at least guilty of facilitation.

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the explanation. I just can't believe this story isn't all over the news... what they did to Channon and Chris was just so beyond awful - there are no words. I have seen it all by now, but reading about what they did to Channon and Chris made me physically sick. I hope to God VC is found guilty, and that they charge Boyd too. Thank goodness there is no statute of limitations on murder.

 

[yeknomaras]

He's done reading the charge! :woohoo:

They're going to take a 10 minute break, then closing arguments. opcorn:

damnit, I was hoping to go grab some lunch. I guess I'll go hungry LOL

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

In good old days state had to roll the dice, pick 1 charge and u either won or lost. Not now.

Judge still reading law. U can blame on appellate courts which require jurors get choices frm murder 2 assault

 

[William N]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the explanation. I just can't believe this story isn't all over the news... what they did to Channon and Chris was just so beyond awful - there are no words. I have seen it all by now, but reading about what they did to Channon and Chris made me physically sick. I hope to God VC is found guilty, and that they charge Boyd too. Thank goodness there is no statute of limitations on murder.

Three years ago, it was on in a brief segment on Paula Zahn's then CNN show. This is the ONLY time this story has ever been on CNN. There were short segments on Fox News a couple of times in 2007. In each show, the conclusion was that it was "not a major story."

Jane Velez Mitchell on her HLN show is always talking about "the war on women." Neither she or Nancy Grace has said a word about the Christian-Newsom murders.

David From TN

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Closings to start shortly. Judge isn't going to let jury start deliberating until tomorrow morning

 

[lonetraveler]

I certainly hope that the closing arguments are videoed because I'm going to miss them.

 

[SuziQ]

Court back in session.

 

[SuziQ]

Leland giving closing.

 

[Muffet]

Hmm, Leland Price is starting. Usually TK does it, then LP does the final argument after the defense has theirs.

 

[SuziQ]

After raping Chris VC and her co patriots took everything from him. Last thing they took from Chris was his life.

 

[Muffet]

Describing the events of that evening... describing Chris' having everything taken from him, with the final thing taken being his life.

There was no question that he was a victim of robbery and rape. Jury saw the evidence of the rape.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Prosecutor Price - Channon, Chris "snatched, thrust into nightmare"

 

[Muffet]

He was a victim of murder in the commission of all the other crimes. (Goes to criminal responsibility for his murder of those involved in the other crimes.)

 

[Muffet]

Says, that night, after Daphne Sutton had left, Channon was killed.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Price - bullet thru Chris' brain, Channon "raped every which way u can"

 

[Muffet]

Question now is, who's responsible?

The others aren't on trial now - Vanessa is, and she was in on it too.

 

[PrairieWind]

Question now is, who's responsible?

The others aren't on trial now - Vanessa is, and she was in on it too.

Thats an important statement i think. Make the jury focus on Vanessa, not the other defendants.

 

[Muffet]

Compliments the jurors, etc.

Says, moving on to VC... one thing this trial is not about is the attys - you might not like us, but the trial is about evidence.

And remember that actions speak louder than words, including self-serving statements made by the defendant. Look at her actions and inactions.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Price - Coleman "just as reponsible" as Davidson and crew

 

[William N]

Hmm, Leland Price is starting. Usually TK does it, then LP does the final argument after the defense has theirs.

I expect TK will now do the rebuttal. That way she will be the last attorney the jury hears.

David From TN