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

[William N]

The jury just had a question according to a twitter from the KNS reporter. The judge handled it in chamber.

 

[AdoraBlue]

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.

Yes, hopefully there will be a comprehensive book about the facts of this case, maybe by someone with the stature of Ann Rule or Joe McGinnis. I think if Patricia Cornwell or Sharyn McCrumb left the fiction genre they would do justice to the facts of this case.

 

[PrairieWind]

Video of the courtroom is back up, people beginning to filter in

 

[lonetraveler]

People in courtroom. Is there a verdict? I have been speed reading. Did I miss something?

 

[PrairieWind]

Not likely a verdict. There was to be some hearings on penalty phase procedures at 3:30 if I heard the judge correctly.

 

[PrairieWind]

Newsom's will give their statements now so the court wil know what they will say. This will be gut wrenching.

 

[Muffet]

Mary Newsome giving her victim impact statement to the court... talking about the grief and fear for their safety she feels every night.

 

[PrairieWind]

Mary Newsom's statement short and to the point. she also frequently looked right at Davidson. She isnt afraid. Strong woman. She also noted that her and her family fear for their safetly. I wonder what threats they have received that havent ever been mentioned.

 

[Muffet]

Chris' sister:

 

[Muffet]

The jury isn't in there... this is a different way of doing things, isn't it? Is this just a test run, to show what they'll say to the jury, if allowed prior to sentencing?

 

[kiki the parrot]

His sister...

this is too much I lost my little bro too, I am just a mess.

arrot:

 

[lonetraveler]

I have the live feed on now and watching the impact statement hearing. I'm wondering if there is a way to view the closing arguments given today on a video somewhere. Does anyone know if there is access to the whole trial?

 

[PrairieWind]

Thats correct muffet, no jury, just a dry run. So the court (and especially so the defense attorneys) can see what they will say to make sure there is nothing "improper." That may seem unfair, but if Slim gets the death penalty, it will be very difficult to get it overturned on appeal since they had a chance to object to impact statements outside of the juries' presence. If the defense wants to object to content, they have to do it now.

 

[kiki the parrot]

Chris' family is so nice, and love God so much this is breaking my heart. A father's memories of Tball etc, visiting his son's empty room... omg I can't bear it.

arrot:

 

[Muffet]

:furious: Soulless -censored-

 

[William N]

The jury isn't in there... this is a different way of doing things, isn't it? Is this just a test run, to show what they'll say to the jury, if allowed prior to sentencing?

Yes, this is how it's done in Tennessee. The judge will decide if it will be allowed.

 

[steelergirl]

The jury isn't in there... this is a different way of doing things, isn't it? Is this just a test run, to show what they'll say to the jury, if allowed prior to sentencing?

Yes ma'am it is...I think they just want to make sure that nothing is said that shouldn't be brought up.

 

[kiki the parrot]

It's clear Chris' faith, and their's, is what gives the Newsoms hope or peace under even these unimaginable circumstances.

arrot:

 

[Muffet]

Bless this poor father - you can just see how the pain has been etched into his face for 2+ years:

 

[alwaysonmymind]

The jury isn't in there... this is a different way of doing things, isn't it? Is this just a test run, to show what they'll say to the jury, if allowed prior to sentencing?

Different and WRONG, imo. The victims are trashed by the perp and perp's attorneys. But the families of the victims are subjected to censorship. :banghead: