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

[Tricksy]

I don't know how many of you may know this, but the Judge who presided over the trials is believed to be being investigated by the TBI for drug use.

Judge Baumgartner has taken a leave of absence. There is some speculation that those convicted by him in this case may seek new trials or lesser plea agreements.

I really hope this is just speculation about the trials (the information about the Judge is believed to be true though they have not found him guility of any wrong doing yet nor is their any proof that the drugs affected his court room performances).

I dread to think what a situation like that would do to the Newsom and Christian families.

http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/feb/02/baumgartner-investigation-another-legal-nightmare/

 

[steelergirl]

I honestly had to step away from this thread for awhile after VC's trial. I couldn't really deal with it anymore. I saw it pop up again in the Latest Posts, and I decided to see what was going on. (Thanks to Tricksy for the original linkage!) I'm shocked, absolutely shocked to see what is going on with Judge B. He handled himself in a strictly professional and sympathetic (as sympathetic as he could be anyhow) manner to everyone in his court room, even when it wasn't that easy to do. I sincerely hope that Judge B is able to not only rise above his medical issues, but also prove his innocence in this probe. It would be UNBEARABLE as an outsider looking in to have to go through these trials again, can you imagine being a family member?

As always, prayers to the Christians & Newsoms and adding my prayers to Judge B and his family as well.

Just another article I found...same info, but links to each case imbedded in the article.
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/154620/2/Judge-Richard-Baumgartner-under-TBI-investigation

 

[iluvmua]

I don't know how many of you may know this, but the Judge who presided over the trials is believed to be being investigated by the TBI for drug use.

Judge Baumgartner has taken a leave of absence. There is some speculation that those convicted by him in this case may seek new trials or lesser plea agreements.

I really hope this is just speculation about the trials (the information about the Judge is believed to be true though they have not found him guility of any wrong doing yet nor is their any proof that the drugs affected his court room performances).

I dread to think what a situation like that would do to the Newsom and Christian families.

http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/feb/02/baumgartner-investigation-another-legal-nightmare/

So if it does come out that he was using drugs at the time of the Christian/Newsom Trials, they could all get retrials?

I'm all for it as long as every one of them gets the DP.

 

[Tricksy]

So if it does come out that he was using drugs at the time of the Christian/Newsom Trials, they could all get retrials?

I'm all for it as long as every one of them gets the DP.

To answer your question Iluvmua, I'm just going by what I have read here, so I don't know how accurate or true this is; But, the Judge is being looked in to by the TBI for possible drug use.

From the little I have read, I think it has to be proven first that the Judge was misusing the prescription drugs.

Then, that these drugs affected his performance at the trial. The article I linked, suggested that he had seemed a bit slower than usual during VC's trial. But, he had been unwell and they were lenghty and harrowing trials. I think posters in the threads mentioned he was looking unwell at the time and also suggested that the trials must have been getting to him, which would be totally understandable.

From what I read on the threads, (I didn't watch the coverage live) the posters seemed to think that the Judge did a good job explaining the charges etc. I don't recall anyone criticising his decisions, or any upset at anything he did during the trials.

I would hope that they don't try for new trials for the sake of the parents.

Also, can you imagine the stink it will cause if they get retrials? An awful lot of people think some of the defendents got off lightly, so it could back fire on them spectacularly. Different situation, but Laura Hall got double her original sentence when she appealed, so they would run the risk of possible harsher sentencing.

The one thing that worried me from the article I linked though, was the suggestion that there could be a possible plea bargain arrangement, which could end up with them getting lesser time.

But, I could never see the two families agreeing to that and I would hope that their views would be taken in to consideration. Secondly, the prosecution at the trials wouldn't reduce the charges, so I would hope that they would not stand for that now.

I just found another article on this which explains it a little better:

Lawyers 10News spoke with said if Baumgartner were charged or convicted, none of the cases he has presided over would be immediately impacted. To overturn a verdict in any of those cases, attorneys would have to present specific arguments that Baumgartner's conduct impacted the case.

From here: http://www.wbir.com/news/article/154620/2/Judge-Richard-Baumgartner-under-TBI-investigation

So, in theory if he is found guilty, they could try and get the verdicts overturned, but whether or not they would be is an entirely different matter.

I really hope for the families sake they don't get them overturned though. I can imagine how those poor parents make it through the day, let alone have to sit through another four trials again.

 

[iluvmua]

On the I.D Investigation channel tomorrow there is a show called "Sins & Secrets" comes on at 10:00 P.M. Central Time.

The show is about Knoxville, Here is the Description:

Knoxville, TN is a quaint southern city that for years avoided problems plaguing most cities. But in 2007, when a carjacking leaves two college aged sweethearts murdered, the investigation ignites long simmering racial tentions throughout the city.

 

[William N]

On the I.D Investigation channel tomorrow there is a show called "Sins & Secrets" comes on at 10:00 P.M. Central Time.

The show is about Knoxville, Here is the Description:

Knoxville, TN is a quaint southern city that for years avoided problems plaguing most cities. But in 2007, when a carjacking leaves two college aged sweethearts murdered, the investigation ignites long simmering racial tentions throughout the city.

The preview I saw calls the victims "privileged" and from a "wealthy community." The victims and their parents were middle class people who worked hard for what they had. Channon Christian was a full-time student at the University of Tennessee while holding down a job. Chris Newsom worked as a trim carpenter for a construction company.

I attended the Vanessa Coleman trial and the sentencing hearings for Coleman and the ringleader. I spoke several times to Chris Newsom's parents.

David In TN

 

[iluvmua]

The preview I saw calls the victims "privileged" and from a "wealthy community." The victims and their parents were middle class people who worked hard for what they had. Channon Christian was a full-time student at the University of Tennessee while holding down a job. Chris Newsom worked as a trim carpenter for a construction company.

I attended the Vanessa Coleman trial and the sentencing hearings for Coleman and the ringleader. I spoke several times to Chris Newsom's parents.

David In TN

I'm sure the 5 creeps in this case could have been "privledged" too if they decided to make something of their lives, but they decided to be come drug addicted murderers instead.

 

[iluvmua]

It might be 9:00 Central Time, Ya'll will have to check your local listings.

It repeats at 1:00 A.M. on Feb 18th, Feb 20th @ 4:00 P.M.

 

[Tricksy]

I'm sure the 5 creeps in this case could have been "privledged" too if they decided to make something of their lives, but they decided to be come drug addicted murderers instead.

Totally agree with you Iluvmua.

IIRR from the trials, Vanessa Coleman's parents were hard working people who tried to teach her right from wrong.

Davidson, although not having the best start in life received a fair bit of support from foster parents and the school Coach. He chose to throw that help away though.

I can't remember being what Thomas's childhood was like and I think that Cobbins had the most unsettled childhood of all of them.

That said, they made the choice to act as they did, to turn to drugs and crime to finance their lifestyle. They could have gone out and earnt an honest living, they just chose not to. They turned out to be the lowest of the low.

I didn't get the impression that Channon and Christopher were priviledged at all, just that they came from honest, hard working people who brought them up to have strong work ethics.

 

[iluvmua]

Totally agree with you Iluvmua.

IIRR from the trials, Vanessa Coleman's parents were hard working people who tried to teach her right from wrong.

Davidson, although not having the best start in life received a fair bit of support from foster parents and the school Coach. He chose to throw that help away though.

I can't remember being what Thomas's childhood was like and I think that Cobbins had the most unsettled childhood of all of them.

That said, they made the choice to act as they did, to turn to drugs and crime to finance their lifestyle. They could have gone out and earnt an honest living, they just chose not to. They turned out to be the lowest of the low.

I didn't get the impression that Channon and Christopher were priviledged at all, just that they came from honest, hard working people who brought them up to have strong work ethics.

At least one of the defendant's families tried to teach right from wrong. it isn't their fault V decided to go on the path she choose.

I didn't get the impression that Channon & Chris were priviledged but I did read where it said they came from upper middle class backgrounds.

Weather poor or rich C & C didn't deserve what happened to them.

 

[cluciano63]

I just watched the show on ID channel and the horror of these crimes just comes flooding back. I just can't over the brutality those 4 displayed toward these two young victims. I can't imagine anything in anyone's background that could justify or explain this behavior. Animals don't do these things to one another, they only kill for food or self-defense. I am just sickened and horrified all over again after watching this, and can't stop thinking about those poor families, bless their hearts. I only wish that Channon and Chris had died quickly, only we know that isn't true...and it is so much more terrible for that.

 

[iluvmua]

I just watched the show on ID channel and the horror of these crimes just comes flooding back. I just can't over the brutality those 4 displayed toward these two young victims. I can't imagine anything in anyone's background that could justify or explain this behavior. Animals don't do these things to one another, they only kill for food or self-defense. I am just sickened and horrified all over again after watching this, and can't stop thinking about those poor families, bless their hearts. I only wish that Channon and Chris had died quickly, only we know that isn't true...and it is so much more terrible for that.

What did they say in the TV Show? I have not been able to watch it yet.

 

[iluvmua]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/feb/18/judge-resets-motions-new-trials-christian-newsom-k/

 

[dgfred]

I just watched the show on ID channel and the horror of these crimes just comes flooding back. I just can't over the brutality those 4 displayed toward these two young victims. I can't imagine anything in anyone's background that could justify or explain this behavior. Animals don't do these things to one another, they only kill for food or self-defense. I am just sickened and horrified all over again after watching this, and can't stop thinking about those poor families, bless their hearts. I only wish that Channon and Chris had died quickly, only we know that isn't true...and it is so much more terrible for that.

I made my wife watch the show because the case had held my interest for so long. She was terrified, mad, and worried about our daughter (20yrs) away at college. She couldn't sleep, and it was on her mind all weekend. The horrific aspects of this case sure can grab hold of you! RIP Channon & Chris.

 

[William N]

I made my wife watch the show because the case had held my interest for so long. She was terrified, mad, and worried about our daughter (20yrs) away at college. She couldn't sleep, and it was on her mind all weekend. The horrific aspects of this case sure can grab hold of you! RIP Channon & Chris.

If you recorded the program, you should have your daughter see it. By the way, the ID Channel is showing it again on Wednesday, March 2.

David In TN

 

[cluciano63]

The sad thing, there isn't anything these kids could have done to prevent what happened. They were car-jacked and taken away from the parking lot of an apartment complex where they planned to attend a party; they weren't doing anything wrong. So it is even scarier but there isn't even really a lesson in it...except maybe to never even sit in your vehicle anywhere??

 

[dgfred]

Well a couple of lessons:

Have a 'code word' that lets your parents know you are in danger.
Don't go with anyone even if they have a gun or knife, better off fighting to get away immediately IMO.
Don't think for one minute you will get away unharmed if they have your car and money already. They don't want witnesses.
Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night when getting in or out of your vehicle.
Some people are just vicious, hateful, violent predators.

 

[cluciano63]

They were caught off guard and attacked by four people, with guns...they did not have a chance to let anyone know anything, or to fight them off...you can't prevent this type of crime...it is horrifying but sometimes you just can't.

 

[dgfred]

There was a call with the dad.

There is always something one can do IMO.

 

[iluvmua]

The sad thing, there isn't anything these kids could have done to prevent what happened. They were car-jacked and taken away from the parking lot of an apartment complex where they planned to attend a party; they weren't doing anything wrong. So it is even scarier but there isn't even really a lesson in it...except maybe to never even sit in your vehicle anywhere??

The best thing they could have done is to not get in the vehicle at all.

I would rather risk being shot and killed then raped & killed.

Even if I was in the car I would have fought back even if I knew that I was going to be killed. It's better than nothing.

Not blaming C & C in any way.

Experts say once you are in a vehicle, that's it.