We and the Newsoms have lost our . Forensic evidence indicated both Davidson and Thomas fired shots, and Davidson was ultimately responsible forNewsom's demise. However, before Lomonaco objected, Mileusnic-Polchan testified that Christian was found in "a forced fetal position" inside a trash can. The next day, a train conductor reported a body near the railroad tracks and 9th Avenue in East Knoxville. "I was shocked (to see Davidson) because (Davidson's) house was on the news," Armstrong said. On January 6, 2007, 21-year-old Channon Christian and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Christopher Newsom, were minding their own business. [20] He was immediately sentenced to life in prison by the judge, who stated that a life sentence was automatic for the murder conviction. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The floorboard was covered with mud, inconsistent with how Christian maintained her vehicle. He cited a 2001 report by the Berkeley Media Studies Group, which found that "Blacks and Latinos are underrepresented in news media as victims of crime and significantly overrepresented as perpetrators. Many people believed that the crimes were ignored because the victims were white while the perpetrators were black. True Crime Diva 2010-2022. At around 8:00 pm, Christian's friend went to the party, and Christian stayed behind and waited for Newsom to pick her up. Those who committed this crime were unjust in doing so, and they should pay the penalty. He's testifying about items recovered from the medical examiner's officer after Channon Christian's autopsy, including the rape kit, the camisol she was wearing, and floral fabric found in the garbage bags with her in the trash can where her body was found. During sentencing, Judge Baumgartner said the crime was "one of the most incredibly outrageous, cruel and inhumane cases this court has ever seen." During sentencing, Christian's father stated, "for me, personally, you took my baby. When Sutton tried to approach the bathroom from another door, Davidson again blocked her, she said. [17] Eric Boyd was convicted at the federal level and sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for being an accessory after the fact to carjacking. The BEST of the worst true crime and macabre stories guaranteed to haunt your nightmares. The three men - with the stolen SUV - returned to Davidsons home on Chipman Street, where George Thomas and his girlfriend, Vanessa Coleman, were also staying. #searchbrowse-right {width:45%; float:left; margin: 0 2%; background: transparent;} [105][106][107][108] It was held that his ability to conduct trials had been impaired during his prior two years on the bench, and he was disbarred in September. he asked Boyd in the videotaped interview. [13][14][15][16] Vanessa Coleman was convicted of facilitating the crimes and sentenced to 53 years. Channon Christian, 21, a Farragut High School graduate and University of Tennessee senior, was hog-tied and stuffed alive inside a trash can, where she slowly suffocated. "I had a car," he said. Both victims have also had memorials and scholarships named after them. He also said, "how people can engage in this type of conduct is just unexplainable" and "there really is no sentence great enough to punish you for the conduct you have been convicted of. Fifteen years ago today, a train conductor passing through Knoxville, Tennessee, made a shocking discovery on the railroad tracks on Ninth Avenue: the bound, burned body of 23-year-old Christopher Newsom. "Clearly this is evidence of uncharged crimes that is only intended to inflame the jury and to suggest to the jury Mr. Boyd was involved in this carjacking," he argued. "Starting a petition to indict Eric Boyd for his part in those horrible murders of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, I thought it was the right thing to do," said Cowans. ul.searchbrowse li a:hover {color:#676767; border-bottom: 1px dotted #676767}, Photos: 37th Tennessee Homecoming brings history to life, Photos: Hurricane Matthew evacuees find shelter in Knoxville, Photos: Church Street United Methodist celebrates bicentennial, Photos: school coupon book kick off celebration, Photos: Bristol in anticipation for Battle at Bristol, Photos: Olive Garden provides meal for West Hills Fire Station No. Update 2/10/15: One of my readers commented below that Coleman had a new trial and was re-sentenced. [85] Judge Richard Baumgartner allowed Thomas and Cobbins to be tried by juries from Davidson County (which includes Nashville). But I love the fun adventures [and] lessons that I've learned. Upon searching the premises, police found Christian and determined the attacks against Christian and Newsom occurred in the house. forensic - autopsy stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. The parole hearing was rescheduled from October to December. After high school, he attended Pellissippi State Technical Community College and became a carpenter. Police also seized a purse that contained several of Christian's belongings, including her cosmetic bag and change purse. Davidson asked if he and Boyd could stay the night at her apartment. [16], Vanessa Coleman, the last defendant to face trial,[102] was granted immunity by federal authorities for testimony in the federal case of the carjacking, but the state courts ruled that the federal grant of immunity could not extend to the state charges of murder and rape. He was sexually assaulted and forced to walk barefoot to the railroad tracks, where the thugs shot him in the neck and back. Attorneys David Jennings and Stone allege Boyd knew about the fatal carjacking when he allegedly took steps to help Davidson avoid arrest. [47][48][49][50] He was then taken to a set of railroad tracks where he was forced to walk barefoot to the location where he was murdered. [53][58] According to the medical examiner, the sexual attack Christian endured was "extreme" and "much more than a simple sexual assault. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Channon was tied up and removed to a trash can. The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported, As Christopher lay paralyzed on the ground, the muzzle of a .22-caliber gun was placed against his covered head and fired. "If this wasn't a hate crime, then I don't know how you would define a hate crime," said Newsom's mother. Reportedly, the men blindfolded and gagged Newsom. Channon was sitting in the driver's seat and Chris was standing in the open door of the vehicle, kissing her, when they suddenly found themselves staring at the barrel of a gun. Based on crime-scene photos, he would not have been able to see the kitchen from the front porch doorway. Continue with Recommended Cookies. They never made it. Channon's abandoned vehicle was found nearby. He described the Jan. 7, 2007, encounter between the carjacking suspects and slain couple as entirely random. Then, they covered his head with a sweatshirt that they fastened around his neck with shoestrings. The state argued that an impartial jury could be found during voir dire, and the presiding judge subsequently denied the motion as "premature". Both of them were raped, tortured, and murdered. I had one HELL OF AN ADVENTURE since I've been in the big T.N. At her first trial, Coleman was sentenced to 53 years in prison for her part as a facilitator in the crimes against Channon. Sutton testified. She recalled crime-scene footage on an 11 p.m. newscast but insisted she paid it no mind. 23. In January 2016, Thomas appealed to the United States Supreme Court[120] but the court did not agree to hear the case. On January 7, 2007, the young white coupleChannon was 21, her boyfriend Chris was 23was abducted, beaten, raped, tortured, and murdered. He presents compelling testimony of how he is overcoming the anger that most East Tennesseans saw played out during news articles throughout the trials and appeals.[155]. Unlike the other trials, owing to a long passage of time between the murders and this trial, the jury was empaneled in Knoxville and not sequestered. The story claims that she was forced to watch as Christian's penis was cut off, he was set on fire, and shot several times. 20, Photos: ET Farmers Markets celebrate 40 years, Rooms with exclusive views: Three Sisters project will be closely aligned with Blackberry Farm, From slave to landlord: Mystery of Hade Black solved. Then, the men hogtied her with strips of fabric from a bedding set. Tennessee courts convicted the five assailants on up to 38 counts, including capital murder, kidnap, rape, theft, accessory to carjacking, and accessory to murder. She said she and her friends convinced Davidson to leave by agreeing to drop him off at Ridgebrook Apartments off Western Avenue, where Boyd lived with his mother. True Crime Diva covers missing persons and unsolved cases around the globe. She did not mourn the broken relationship long. The company's intent was to replace the house with a memorial dedicated to Newsom and Christian. ul.searchbrowse li {margin:0 0 5%; font-size:0.75em; /* 12/16 */ } October 22, 2009 - 9:18am Her head was forced down onto her knees. He was also convicted on charges of carjacking, robbery, and kidnapping. While searching for Christian, authorities found her SUV abandoned near railroad tracks in East Knoxville - not far from where Newsom was discovered. The foundation holds an annual memorial baseball tournament at the Halls Community Park. He also told Russo it's possible Hayhurst may have been unconscious, because the autopsy revealed blunt-force trauma to the head. The Greatest Rock Stars Who Died Before 30. This evidence supports the trial court's finding that (Coleman) is a dangerous offender."[117]. [19][143] Boyd is incarcerated at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex. Prosecutors filed to have Judge Blackwood recused from the case, citing Blackwood's emotional involvement, his ex parte communication with the defense, lack of candor with the local media, and Supreme Court guidance that recusal should be considered before any other action. "Walking up and down main street of Ridgebrook (Apartments), just drinking, smoking and drinking and smoking weed, that's all I do every day," he said. Coleman was up for parole because she had served eight years in prison in December 2014. "[148], On May 27, 2007, less than 30 white supremacists, led by Alex Linder rallied in downtown Knoxville to protest against the murders. Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom were raped, tortured and killed on January 6, 2007 (Image: CBS) Inside Newsom was repeatedly sodomized with an object and then blindfolded, gagged, arms and feet bound and his head covered. On appeal, Boyd alleges 1. [64][65][66], Newsom's body was discovered near a set of nearby railroad tracks on January 7 at 12:20 pm by a Norfolk Southern Railroad employee. We Asked, You Answered: What Would You Pick For Your Last Meal On Death Row? They had only been dating for a few months, but they were . The eRumor tells of the horrific kidnapping, torture, and murder of Christopher Newsom and his girlfriend Channon Christian from Knoxville, Tennessee. The seven board members voted unanimously to deny Coleman parole and ensure that she would not be eligible to go before a parole board again for ten years. The Aurora Borealis over Snowdonia in North Wales on Sunday, March 26 (Image: Chris Parry/Twitter) The Northern Lights have returned to skies in the UK tonight (Monday, Fenbruary 27), for second . Theassailantsset fire to the scene. The medical examiner's graphic, chilling testimony detailed what Christian, 21, and Newsom, 23, suffered after their January 2007 kidnapping. ", "Medical examiner testimony wraps up state case, expected to rest on Monday", "Killer in torture-slaying case denied parole", "Boyd trial, Day 1: A burned body by the tracks, a final glimpse of the victims before the murders", "Focus on torture-slaying victims' items in Coleman trial", "Vanessa Coleman retrial: She admits in interview she checked Channon Christian's pulse", "Tennessee: Jury hears testimony on fate of convicted killer", "Death sentence for torture-murder ringleader", "Torture-killing ringleader Lemaricus Davidson facing trial in Pizza Hut robbery", "Vanessa Coleman denied reprieve in torture-slaying case", "Christian-Newsom Murders: Trial for one carjacker moved to 2009, others could follow", "Judge: Recordings can be used in fatal carjackings case", "Another death penalty notice in Christian-Newsom slayings", "Prosecutors say evidence links Davidson to couple's torture deaths", "GUILTY: Eric Boyd's Christian-Newsom murder accessory trial over", Accessory case deliberations to start Wed. in double murder, "Eric Boyd gets two stacked life sentences for his role in the Christian-Newsom murders", "Death Sentence in Christian-Newsom Torture-Murder Trial", "Convicted Christian-Newsom killer Lemaricus Davidson has petition denied", "Supreme Court: Death penalty for Davidson stands in Christian-Newsom killings", "Thomas found guilty of Christian-Newsom murders", "George Thomas guilty; Family: Thomas deserves death", "Knoxville torture-murder case: Coleman acquitted of first degree murder, guilty on lesser charges", "Autopsy: Ex-judge Baumgartner died from natural causes", "Ex-judge Richard Baumgartner's drug-addicted downfall makes national spotlight", "The redacted TBI file on former judge Richard Baumgartner", "A chronology of events in the Richard Baumgartner scandal", "How Richard Baumgartner a drug addicted judge stayed on the bench despite warnings", "Drug Addicted judge had sex during court breaks", "Four defendants in Christian-Newsom case granted new trials", "State's appeal bid in Christian/Newsom case shot down", "Judge in Christian-Newsom case throws out decision to grant new trials, delays recusal decision", "Judge nixes delay in Christian/Newsom torture-slaying hearing", "Appellate court upholds Vanessa Coleman's convictions, sentence", "Guilty again: George Thomas sentenced in torture, murder retrial", "George Thomas loses appeal in Christian-Newsom murders", "Man convicted in Christian/Newsom murders wants US Supreme Court to review case", "George Thomas gets new plea deal approved, Newsom family thanks him during impact statement", "Trial set to begin for long suspected defendant in Christian Newsom torture slayings", "Judge: Eric Boyd to face Knox County jury in slayings of Channon Christian, Christopher Newsom", "Boyd trial, Day 6 Eric Boyd guilty of first-degree felony murder, kidnapping & rape", "Jury finds Eric Boyd guilty of grisly 2007 Knoxville murders", "Tennessee Supreme Court denies appeal in 2007 Knox County torture slayings", "Eric Boyd sentenced for his role in Christian-Newsom murders", "Judge denies Eric Boyd's bid for new trial in torture-slayings case", "STATE OF TENNESSEE v. ERIC BOYD - Articles", "Man convicted in Christian-Newsom murders denied new trial", "Coleman's parole denied in torture-slaying case", Vanessa Coleman's parole hearing rescheduled, "Vanessa Coleman's parole hearing eligibility pushed to December", "Vanessa Coleman to request parole next week", "Coleman's Parole Denied in Torture-Slaying Case", "Five involved in slayings of young Knoxville couple", "Woman convicted in Christian-Newsom murders denied parole", "Knox prosecutor doesn't shut the door on future charges in torture slayings", "City leaders say race not an element in Christian, Newsom murders", "Police arrest organizer at 'rally against genocide', "House linked to carjacking/slayings razed; memorial planned", "George Korda: Chipman Street: sometimes there just aren't enough rocks", "Chris Newsom, Channon Christian remembered 13 years after their murders", "Baseball tournament honors Chris Newsom, killed in 2007", "Gary Christian: From rage to restoration, a murder victim's father finds the faith he left", Extensive news coverage of the deaths in January 2007 of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in Knoxville, TN, Newsom, Christian Family Reaction w/Video, "5th Suspect Arrested in Double Murder, Announcement Expected Soon", "Commentary: Where is the outrage when humans are abused? 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