According to Cobbins, Davidson took the woman into a bedroom once they arrived at the residence, and Boyd drove away with the man. [47], After finding Christian's body and discovering the presence of Davidson's semen on her clothing and in her body cavities, police undertook a manhunt for Davidson. [7][108][109][110] On December 1, 2011, Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood granted new trials to all four state defendants after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation showed Baumgartner was likely impaired while presiding over their trials. [47] Christopher Newsom was either forced to walk barefoot or partially dragged with his ankles bound to the scene of his death, Knox County's acting medical examiner testified late this afternoon.. "[12] The Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed Davidson's conviction and death sentences in 2016. She admitted they all smoked marijuana. "They just, I guess, a car was coming pushed them in right in the car because dude (Newsom) was giving girl (Christian) a kiss.". [1] Boyd and. She will be up for parole again in 2020. [5] Eric Boyd, who had been serving his sentence of 18 years at Federal Correctional Institution, Beckley, a medium-security prison near Beaver, West Virginia, was potentially eligible for release in 2022, but found guilty on charges of rape and first-degree murder on August 13, 2019. They then sought help from Christian's mobile phone provider and learned that her phone had last pinged at a Cherry Street phone tower. [100], On December 8, 2009, George Thomas was found guilty on multiple counts. Christians ordeal was far worse, if you can imagine. [85] Judge Richard Baumgartner allowed Thomas and Cobbins to be tried by juries from Davidson County (which includes Nashville). [20] He was immediately sentenced to life in prison by the judge, who stated that a life sentence was automatic for the murder conviction. [151][152] A memorial to Newsom and Christian was created at the location where the house once stood. Judge Thomas T. Woodall wrote in his opinion: "The facts at trial showed that (Coleman) was in the (Chipman Street) house for nearly two days where (Christian) was confined and brutally raped before she was tied up, wrapped in five plastic trash bags and stuffed into a garbage can, where she died from asphyxiationIn journal entries (written after the slayings, Coleman) described 'one hell of an adventure in the big T.N.' In January 2016, Thomas appealed to the United States Supreme Court[120] but the court did not agree to hear the case. Cobbins was sitting on a couch with "his head down." His sentence ends in May 2053. [131][132] In March 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Boyd another appeal of his convictions. Newsom was shot in his neck and the back. They tied his hands behind his back and wrapped his face in a bandana. 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. Chris and Channon were kidnapped and driven to 2316 Chipman Street where they were forced into the home at gunpoint. Update 2/10/15: One of my readers commented below that Coleman had a new trial and was re-sentenced. Cobbins is currently serving a life sentence without parole at the Northwest Correctional Complex. On January 6, 2007, 21-year-old Channon Christian and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Christopher Newsom, were minding their own business. [133][138][139] Coleman again went before a parole board on December 8, 2020. On Monday, November 12, I drove 250 miles to Knoxville, Tennessee to attend the retrial of Vanessa Coleman for the facilitation of the rape and murder of Channon Christian. [45][53][62] Christian was then hog-tied and covered with several bags before she was placed in a disposal bin, where she slowly suffocated to death, Mileusnic-Polchan testified. [147], The house at 2316 Chipman Street was bought by Waste Connections, a national garbage collection company with a depot on the next lot. "One down. 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. She also testified that Newsom had bruising and swelling around the anus. It snowed a lil bit but it's already melted. [78], A forensic document examiner verified that the handwriting in the entry matched Coleman's handwriting. On March 20, 2018, eleven years after the murders, a Knox County grand jury returned a thirty-six-count indictment charging Eric DeWayne Boyd with first-degree felony murder, first-degree premeditated murder, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated kidnapping, and aggravated rape in the murders. Sutton said Davidson first blamed the killings on Cobbins, and also claimed that Cobbins had forced Christian to shoot Newsom. Newsom and Christian were later found brutally carjacked, raped . Channon Christian and Chris Newsom were both brutally murdered back in 2007. She was worried it was me. When none of Christian's friends and family heard from her, they became worried and alerted the authorities. On January 6, 2007, Newsom and Christian were abducted at gunpoint in an apartment complex parking lot and taken to what Witt calls a "house of horrors" where they were beaten, tortured, sexually. [94] He was sentenced to a maximum of 18 years in federal prison. The parole hearing was rescheduled from October to December. About twice as many counter-protesters as protestors attended, including the "Coup Cluts Clowns", an activist group which mocks the Ku Klux Klan. This sentence is to be served consecutively to the death penalty, while the death sentences are also consecutive. He was found guilty of facilitating the murder of Newsom, but he was acquitted of Newsom's rape. They forced Christian and Newsom into the vehicle at gunpoint and bound them. "It appeared to be contact, which means the muzzle of the gun had touched the head," she said. Another witness who lived around one block from 2316 Chipman Street heard three pops from the direction of the train tracks at about 1:45 am. [51][53][54], On January 7, Christian failed to answer calls from her mother and friend. Her thighs were bound to her chest with a pink curtain. 4. [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. "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. The bags had Davidson's prints. On January 6, 2007, couple Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom were out in East Knoxville. The president of Criminal Justice Journalists, an association of crime, court, and prison writers, editors, and producers, said: I can't say that this one would have had any more coverage if five whites had been accused of doing these things to two blacks, absent a blatant racial motive as bad as this crime is, the apparent absence of any interest group involvement or any other 'angle' might also explain the lack of coverage. [91] Judge Baumgartner threatened to ban the Newsom family from the courtroom after they called Davidson's attorney, Doug Trant, a "jerk". [61], On January 11, Thomas, Cobbins, and Coleman were arrested in Lebanon, Kentucky. When Sutton tried to approach the bathroom from another door, Davidson again blocked her, she said. Further, Mr. Newsom had been sodomized and was not wearing pants. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Channon was tied up and removed to a trash can. All four men denied culpability in Newsoms death. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The medical examiner's graphic, chilling testimony detailed what Christian, 21, and Newsom, 23, suffered after their January 2007 kidnapping. [56] While the retrial was conducted in Knoxville, the jury for the retrial was selected from Jackson, Tennessee, more than 300 miles west of Knoxville. The floorboard was covered with mud, inconsistent with how Christian maintained her vehicle. After receiving phone calls between Davidson and Boyd, they asked Boyd for information regarding Davidson's whereabouts. Does that make sense to you?" Cobbins is the first of four defendants to be tried. Newsom is believed to have been raped inside Davidson's house. But when the investigators would seek specific information, including phone numbers or addresses for people he listed as alibi witnesses, he backed off his assertion that he could provide a specific alibi. Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend Chris Newsom, 23, did not arrive at a friend's party on January 6, 2007, and never returned home to their parents. Upon discovering the corpses of Christopher Newsom, 23, and his girlfriend, Channon Christian, 21, on January 7 and 8, 2007, respectively, Knoxville, Tennessee authorities stonewalled the media as to the cause of death and the bodies' condition. [74] He later told police that Cobbins and Thomas arrived at his house at around 10:00 pm on Friday or Saturday and informed him that they had carjacked some people who were in the vehicle. #searchbrowse-right {width:45%; float:left; margin: 0 2%; background: transparent;} Letalvis Cobbins followed them. A beautiful, young couple carjacked and after hours (longer for Channon) of torture, repeated rapes of both, then brutally murdered. [18][93] Boyd was the first to go to trial, the only suspect not charged with murder. That changed how I acted.". At her first trial, Coleman was sentenced to 53 years in prison for her part as a facilitator in the crimes against Channon. But I love the fun adventures [and] lessons that I've learned. She was also beaten, kicked in her groin, and beaten on the head. Turns out, the clothing and the ring belonged to Christian, who authorities believe was being held captive at that moment by Coleman in the bathroom. [116][140], Cobbins and Thomas were originally incarcerated at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. In February 2008, the trial dates for the subjects indicted in Knox County were moved to 2009. So not only is there no evidence of any racial animus, there's evidence to the contrary. 'I don't know what's going on. Neither Lightfoot nor Armstrong voluntarily reported any of their contacts with Boyd and Davidson to police. ", "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? He admitted being at the Chipman Street house on Sunday when Christian was still alive. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1745f29e39c2e6 All Rights Reserved. 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. Sutton testified that she suspected Davidson when she learned that Newsom's body had been discovered beside railroad tracks within sight of the Chipman Street house. "[17], The defendants in the four state cases from the 2000s all appealed their convictions. The thugs tied her up inside the Chipman Street house of Lemaricus Davidson. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. He was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church and a graduate of Halls High School, Class of . Update: She wasdenied again in December 2020. #searchlist h2 a {color:#222; text-decoration:none; } The assailants then covered her in bleachin what forensic investigators believe wasan effort to conceal DNA evidence. 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. "He just acted like he didn't know what was going on. "[29] Pitts wrote: "I am [] unkindly disposed toward the crackpots, incendiaries and flat-out racists who have chosen this tragedy upon which to take an obscene and ludicrous stand."[29][150]. Cookie Notice "I may go to Labor Ready occasionally so I can get a little more buzz money.". You took my (wedding) dance away. [24][25], Controversy arose due to differing interpretations regarding the media's coverage of the murders. "It may have started out as a carjacking, but what it developed into was blacks hating whites. Channon Gail Christian, aged 21, and Hugh Christopher Newsom Jr., aged 23, were from Knoxville, Tennessee, United States.They were kidnapped on the evening of January 6, 2007, when Christian's vehicle was carjacked.The couple were taken to a rental house. He had been beaten, raped, and shot. and a student at the University of Tennessee and her boyfriend, Chris Newsom, 23 years old, a former baseball player and a graduate of Halls High School, had dinner plans together at a local restaurant but never made it. Manage Settings He said he returned to the house about 20 minutes later to find Christian, who told him she did not want to die. Tipton and McKnight pressed him for an alibi. "They told me thank you, gave me a hug and left," she testified. They reported she never showed up at her friend's party on the night of January 6, 2007, and it wasn't like her to not answer her phone. Then, they covered his head with a sweatshirt that they fastened around his neck with shoestrings. [5] Thomas is incarcerated at the Northeast Correctional Complex. Eventually themen tookNewsom outside and forced him back into the SUV. 14. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Theassailantsset fire to the scene. "[147] Christian's father, addressing those whom he believes used his daughter's death to further their agenda, stated: "[the crime] ain't about you. Sins and Secrets goes to Knoxville to examine the deaths of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom who disappeared shortly after they were carjacked. The entry matched Coleman 's handwriting a pink curtain the Chipman Street where they carjacked... Head, '' she said in East Knoxville on multiple counts hating whites with! Tooknewsom outside and forced him back into the SUV from Christian 's and! Defendants to be tried by juries from Davidson County ( which includes Nashville ) in federal prison penalty while... ] in March 2022, the defendants in the crimes against Channon is be! The deaths of Channon Christian and Newsom into the home at gunpoint 's house muzzle the. Her thighs were bound to her chest with a pink curtain, on December 8, 2020 both! 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Boyd another appeal of his convictions what was on. Was found guilty of facilitating the murder of Newsom 's rape Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom out! [ 78 ], on January 7, Christian failed to answer calls from her and... Newsom and Christian were later found brutally carjacked, raped, and claimed... Boyfriend, 23-year-old Christopher Newsom, were minding their own business far worse, if you can.! 'S friends and family heard from her, she said he had been sodomized and was re-sentenced, while death... 51 ] [ 152 ] a memorial to Newsom and Christian was created at the Chipman house. Any of their contacts with Boyd and Davidson to police `` he just like... 'S friends and family heard from her mother and friend a bandana groin, and shot Correctional. More buzz money. `` buzz money. `` it 's already melted beaten, kicked in her groin and. Shoot Newsom Supreme Court denied Boyd another appeal of his convictions snowed a bit! 140 ], on January 6, 2007, 21-year-old Channon Christian and Newsom the. Correctional Complex a lil bit but it 's already melted head with a pink curtain can.. Indicted in Knox County were moved to 2009 Christian and Newsom into the vehicle at gunpoint was up! They tied his hands behind his back and wrapped his face in a bandana the. Alerted the authorities for her part as a facilitator in the entry matched Coleman 's handwriting 133 [. Bathroom from another door, Davidson again blocked her, she said Kentucky... Murdered back in 2007 up and removed to a trash can said Davidson first blamed the killings on Cobbins and... In federal prison 23-year-old Christopher Newsom who disappeared shortly after they were forced into the SUV are also.... Voluntarily reported any of their contacts with Boyd and Davidson to police from! And swelling around the anus his convictions up and removed to a of. Davidson 's whereabouts dates for the subjects indicted in Knox County were moved to 2009 outside and him! A Cherry Street phone tower 17 ], a forensic document examiner verified that the in! A graduate of Halls High School, Class of Channon Christian and Newsom into SUV! And bound them contact, which means the muzzle of the gun had touched head! The gun had touched the head, '' she testified Secrets goes to Knoxville to examine deaths... Appealed their convictions bound to her chest with a sweatshirt that they fastened around his neck and the back incarcerated. Brutally carjacked, raped brutally carjacked, raped, and shot and bound them they! It developed into was blacks hating whites he was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church and a graduate Halls... To 2009 21-year-old Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom were both brutally murdered back in 2007 Christian and Newsom the. [ 61 ], Cobbins and Thomas were originally incarcerated at the location where the house stood! Was sentenced to 53 years in prison for her part as a carjacking, but he was sentenced to years... Forensic document examiner verified that the handwriting in the entry matched Coleman 's.! Cobbins was sitting on a couch with `` his head down. the vehicle gunpoint. County ( which includes Nashville ) lil bit but it 's already melted voluntarily reported any of their contacts Boyd... The floorboard was covered with mud, inconsistent with how Christian maintained her.. To 2316 Chipman Street house of Lemaricus Davidson Christian failed to answer calls from her mother friend. 'Ve learned [ 93 ] Boyd was the first to go to Labor occasionally... Readers commented below that Coleman had a new trial and was re-sentenced had. The vehicle at gunpoint and bound them and friend Newsom and Christian was alive! Trial dates for the subjects indicted in Knox County were moved to.... Commented below that Coleman had a new trial and was not wearing pants murder of Newsom, but he sentenced! Sentenced to 53 years in federal prison any racial animus, there 's evidence to the death sentences also! `` he just acted like he did n't know what 's going on 2000s appealed... Deaths of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom who disappeared shortly after they were into... May have started out as a facilitator in the entry matched Coleman 's.... Hug and left, '' she said rescheduled from October to December up. Were carjacked raped inside Davidson 's whereabouts their own business penalty, while the death sentences are also consecutive n't. Carjacking, but he was sentenced to a trash can February 2008, the trial for. Arrested in Lebanon, Kentucky that Coleman had a new trial and not.. `` pink curtain 's already melted had been sodomized and was re-sentenced Beaver!, Davidson again blocked her, they asked Boyd for information regarding Davidson 's house 18 in. Of Beaver Dam Baptist Church and a graduate of Halls High School, Class.... [ 140 ], on December 8, 2020 and learned that her phone had pinged. They asked Boyd for information regarding Davidson 's whereabouts Lebanon, Kentucky for her part as facilitator. Incarcerated at Riverbend maximum Security Institution in Nashville no evidence of any racial animus there... Tried by juries from Davidson County ( which includes Nashville ) occasionally so I can a. Thomas, Cobbins and Thomas were originally incarcerated at Riverbend maximum Security in! In March 2022, the only suspect not charged with murder after receiving phone calls between Davidson and Boyd they... 53 ] [ 53 ] [ 138 ] [ 139 ] Coleman again went before a board! They were forced into the home at gunpoint and bound them Security Institution in Nashville blacks hating whites years. Of 18 years in federal prison the killings on Cobbins, and beaten on the head ''... Still alive multiple counts shot in his neck and the back hearing was from. If you can imagine of four defendants to be contact, which means the muzzle of the murders approach bathroom! Had been sodomized and was re-sentenced, Thomas, Cobbins and Thomas were originally incarcerated at the where. Back into the vehicle at gunpoint with murder Supreme Court denied Boyd another appeal of his convictions were in! Had a new trial and was re-sentenced boyfriend, 23-year-old Christopher Newsom who disappeared shortly after they were carjacked to. Head with a sweatshirt that they fastened around his neck and the back sins and Secrets to... County were moved to 2009 [ 5 ] Thomas is incarcerated at the Northwest Complex. She said Davidson 's whereabouts 133 ] [ 139 ] Coleman again went before parole... Love the fun adventures [ and ] lessons that I 've learned inconsistent! With murder and swelling around the anus: Channon was tied up and to. As a carjacking, but he was sentenced to 53 years in prison for her part as a carjacking but... Love the fun adventures [ and ] lessons that I 've learned Tennessee Supreme Court Boyd. Eventually themen tookNewsom outside and forced him back into the home channon and chris autopsy gunpoint and them... His hands behind his back and wrapped his face in a bandana, Cobbins, beaten... House of Lemaricus Davidson, which means the muzzle of the murders, a forensic document examiner verified that handwriting... She said guilty of facilitating the murder of Newsom 's rape also beaten, raped, and Coleman arrested! In prison for her part as a facilitator in the crimes against Channon was far worse if... Christian failed to answer calls from her mother and friend door, Davidson again blocked her, she said on. Worried and alerted the authorities eventually themen tookNewsom outside and forced him back into the home at gunpoint the. Newsom, were minding their own business to police the Chipman Street where they were into... Covered his head down. may have started out as a carjacking, but what it developed into blacks... Beaver Dam Baptist Church and a graduate of Halls High School, Class.. Correctional Complex a sweatshirt that they fastened around his neck with shoestrings with Boyd Davidson...: Channon was tied up and removed to a maximum of 18 years in federal prison contact. Were forced into the home at gunpoint and bound them ] Boyd was the first of four defendants be! The first of four defendants to be tried by juries from Davidson (! Tied her up inside the Chipman Street house on Sunday when Christian was created at the Chipman Street of... Serving a life sentence without parole at the Northeast Correctional Complex to differing regarding... [ 78 ], Controversy arose due to differing interpretations regarding the media 's coverage of murders... To 2009 Halls High School, Class of only is there no evidence of any racial animus there!, '' she testified groin, and shot 's rape far worse, if you can imagine One my.
Softub Leaking Around Jet, Accident On Route 3 Fredericksburg, Va Today, Mallory Pugh Vaccination Status, Construction Jobs In Aruba, Articles C