TN - Chris Newsom, 23, & Channon Christian, 21, murdered, Knoxville, 6 Jan 2007 #8

[alwaysonmymind]

If I Should Fall Behind lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

We said we'd walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walkin a hand should slip free
Ill wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me

We swore we'd travel darlin side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lovers steps fall so differently
But Ill wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So lets make our steps clear that the other may see
And Ill wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now theres a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There neath the oaks bough soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
Ill wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
Darlin Ill wait for you
Should I fall behind
Wait for me

 

[kiki the parrot]

I've been hoping and praying that was the case prairie. As someone here posted, shock is a merciful, self-protecting mechanism and so is unconsciousness I believe... rayer:

arrot:

 

[kiki the parrot]

Still unclear as to what unfinished business remains until 3:30... the jury has finally been released to begin deliberations have they not?

arrot:

 

[PrairieWind]

Still unclear as to what unfinished business remains until 3:30... the jury has finally been released to begin deliberations have they not?

arrot:

Yes, the jury was going to grab lunch and the begin deliberations after eating. I didnt catch what was happening at 3 either, but I'm guessing it will some hearings on motions concerning the penalty phase, impact statements, the parties will probably have to let the court know who they intend to present at witnesses for the penalty phase, etc.

 

[Jayde3200]

RE: 3:30pm - They need to talk about showing Chris and Channon's pictures, impact statements etc. during the sentencing phase. I heard about the pictures yesterday. The judge yesterday said that he would talk about that once final arguments are done and the jury is released to deliberate. It was great because when the jury decided to finish up in the morning, prosecutor Leland Price got up to the podium and asked the judge that he would like to discuss the pictures when sentencing begins. It was like him saying, TK nailed it, there is no way this jury is coming back with a not guilty verdict. The defense hadn't even done their closing arguments and he wants to talk about sentencing. I was jumping and laughing when I heard that. It was a real sense of triumph.

 

[Jayde3200]

Does anyone have a way to notify them when a verdict is in? I don't want to miss this! Like a text message on cell phone or something like that?

 

[William N]

The judge has previously said that he was leaning against allowing the photos of the victims during the sentencing phase. He indicated it would cause problems when the verdict is appealed.

 

[Muffet]

Does anyone have a way to notify them when a verdict is in? I don't want to miss this! Like a text message on cell phone or something like that?

If you sign up with Twitter, you can follow Jamie's, and have them sent to your cell phone.

 

[Muffet]

The judge has previously said that he was leaning against allowing the photos of the victims during the sentencing phase. He indicated it would cause problems when the verdict is appealed.

Yeah, IIRC, he didn't allow them during the Cobbins trial, so I doubt he does in this one.

He did allow the family to show the jury pics of Cobbins as a boy, to create sympathy, but none of Chris and Channon.

It grates that the only photos of the victims that the jury is allowed to see are the horrible ones after their deaths.

 

[Muffet]

Camera stays on the courtroom flag top when court isn't in session:

May we see pride and not tears from this eagle when the verdict comes in.

 

[PrairieWind]

I agree Muffet, I dont understand why the judge is allowing photos of the defendants, but not of the victims. I've never heard of that before and I dont know what the Judge is relying on to support that.

 

[AdoraBlue]

I am outraged that the national media are basically ignoring this case. It is absolutely sickening to me. But yet, when members of a sports team at a worldwide renowned university were accused of gang-raping someone of a different race it was wall-to-wall coverage (and we all know how that case turned out).

This speaks volumes about our judicial system and country in general.
:banghead::banghead::banghead:

My prayers are with the Christian and Newsom families today and everafter.

 

[kiki the parrot]

Hi lone... such a horrific case. It's been difficult just sitting thru the awful facts. I know it's hard for the parents to rest--even I will be on the edge of my seat until the jury returns.

arrot:

 

[kiki the parrot]

KNOXVILLE - The fate of torture-slaying alleged ringleader Lemaricus Davidson is now in the hands of a Knox County jury.

Closing arguments in the weeklong trial wrapped up around 11:30 a.m.

Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner gave jurors a final set of instructions on the law and they recessed for lunch. Deliberations should begin after lunch.

In closing arguments, defense attorney David Eldridge said all the state could offer was a "made up story" about the events surrounding the January 2007 slayings of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23.

"It is not simple," Eldridge said. "It is not clear."

He argued Davidson's only crime was introducing the victims to the "gang from Kentucky" - his brother Letalvis Cobbins and co-defendants George Thomas and Vanessa Coleman.

Did I miss something, maybe just having a nightmare or how did defense explain away LD's dna inside Channon? Gmab. ETA And let's not forget on her clothing too (just "passing by?" )

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/oct/27/torture-slaying-trial-day-8-jury-begin-deliberatio/

arrot:

 

[yolorado]

Thank you so much for everything you've done to keep this trial alive here, and to keep all of us apprised of the progress and events, Suzi. :bow:

Ditto! And you TOO, Ms Muffet.

 

[shotzie]

That Defense Att. is the worse I ever seen..putting all the blame on the victims don't know how he can sleep at night sitting next to that MONSTER an defending him..his CA were mostly lies..

 

[yolorado]

I am outraged that the national media are basically ignoring this case. It is absolutely sickening to me. But yet, when members of a sports team at a worldwide renowned university were accused of gang-raping someone of a different race it was wall-to-wall coverage (and we all know how that case turned out).

This speaks volumes about our judicial system and country in general.
:banghead::banghead::banghead:

My prayers are with the Christian and Newsom families today and everafter.

This is a horrible case, but unfortunately there are so many. Hopefully someone will write a book eventually, to tell the story and some day offer some small modecum of healing to all those impacted. If the parents, god bless them, have the strength, maybe they can use this for an example somehow to change laws. But, I'm not holding my breath on the law. It seems the system is so terribly imbalanced in favor of the defendent with so little will over time to correct that. Many years ago, there was a particularly awful crime in a town where I grew up which had horrible consequences for years and haunted me for decades. Finally, a few years ago the next door neighbor of the victims, Ron Franscell, wrote a book about it called Fall. He even talks to one of the criminals 30 plus years after in jail. Crimes like these are vicious and horrible, nearly impossible to ever forget. Reading the book was helpful to me as someone touched by those events, but some of the problems victims faced then remain and have gotten even worse. Sometimes literature can speak more forcefully and soothingly to present the case. The Newsomes and Christians have been treated horribly by our justice and that abuse continues. They aren't the first, though, and won't be the last, I fear. Hopefully, they can find for some justice for their children and for themselves. My wish is that Davidson is convicted and held to account the carnage he has clearly done- to the victims especially, including the families, but to the rest of us who know about it as well.

 

[lonetraveler]

Oh me. I just got home a few minutes ago and see that the jury is deliberating. How long have they been out? My mind is frazzled right now. When I came in, I warmed up lunch, sat down at my computer desk and happened to notice that a possum was in the house and under my dining room table. He must have come in through the dog door. He was dead. My what a surprise!. I have two boxers and they must have killed him when he came into the house. I'm glad they are both up to date on rabies vaccinations.

I'm going to try to catch up. I want to read the closing argument of defense and the final say by prosecutors.

 

[dgfred]

Wow! Very interesting. I sure am glad you didn't have to deal with one in the house alive, they can be very mean and nasty. Good dogs you have.

 

[yolorado]

Oh me. I just got home a few minutes ago and see that the jury is deliberating. How long have they been out? My mind is frazzled right now. When I came in, I warmed up lunch, sat down at my computer desk and happened to notice that a possum was in the house and under my dining room table. He must have come in through the dog door. He was dead. My what a surprise!. I have two boxers and they must have killed him when he came into the house. I'm glad they are both up to date on rabies vaccinations.

I'm going to try to catch up. I want to read the closing argument of defense and the final say by prosecutors.

Yikes! The worst we've ever had is mice the cats brought in. Wonder how one "de-possums" a dog door? Let us know if you come up with something.