GUILTY TN - Chris Newsom, 23, & Channon Christian, 21, murdered, Knoxville, 6 Jan 2007 #20

[wvjules]

Crap I have a lunch date. I wanted to hear the judge's tone while doing the sentencing.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Vanessa declines to speak on her behalf

All her convictions r 30 percenters. What that means is she only serves third b/4 eligible for parole

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Now the more mundane. Judge B merges various counts, goes over sentencing factors at issue

How it works: Judge has 2 decide if there is cause under law to go w/ max and stack. Law defines those factors

He also has 2 consider if there is cause to go easy or "mitigate" based on factors also defined under law

 

[SuziQ]

Leland Price arguing for maximum and consecutive sentences.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

State cites factors of cruelty, especially heinous, dangerous offender, no hesitation when risk high

Prosecutor Price - jury found Coleman "provided substantial assistance" via facilitation verdict, not bystander

Price also says her admitted drug use negates claim she has no criminal history

 

[SuziQ]

IIRC, the probation department interviewed Nessa who admitted to half dozen MJ cigs and 14 grams of cocaine a day.

 

[SuziQ]

Here comes Lavit and the yelling.

 

[SuziQ]

It took him about six words before he started yelling.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Price - Vanessa knew the guys were headed out to commit some kind of crime, saw Davidson's violence b/4, stayed

Price - Vanessa no babe. "Behavior indicates she was very sophisticated," went after what she wanted

 

[SuziQ]

Lavit.....poor Nessa, Poor poor Nessa, This little girl....blah blah blah.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Defense Lavit - not 1 state witness said any "overt act" by Vanessa. "These killers brought these crimes to her door"

 

[lonetraveler]

Is it just me or does he appear to have to read Channon and Chris's names from his notes everytime he states their names. What????? He doesn't know their names by now?

 

[SuziQ]

Interesting noises from the cameraman.

 

[TigressPen]

Wrong Mr. Lavit! Vanessa was not forced to stay against her will! It was all an adventure for her and the proof is in her own words!

 

[SuziQ]

I think Gary has his ears plugged. Can't say I blame him.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

Lavit - Channon, Chris suffered but not by any act of Vanessa

Lavit - Coleman "forced against her will to stay at that residence," notes feds put her in protective custody

 

[SuziQ]

Gary left

 

[SuziQ]

Mary Newsom just walked out.

 

[SuziQ]

http://twitter.com/jamiescoop

"Judge it's gonna take some overt acts that's gotta be in that record" to support tough sentence, none there - Lavit

Lavit is starting to repeat himself on this no overt act thing

"We say she failed to comprehend the position she was placed in by these killers" - Lavit

 

[SuziQ]

Thank god he's done!