Horror in Knoxville update: Cobbins guilty of 1st degree murder
Just in this afternoon after eight days of trial against the first defendant in the Christian/Newsom kidnap/murder case. One guilty verdict down, three to go:
Jurors this morning convicted Letalvis Cobbins of first-degree murder in the torture-slaying of Knox County couple Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.
The verdicts were announced before a packed crowd, including the Christian and Newsom families, in Knox County Criminal Court.
Jurors will now shift into a penalty phase before Baumgartner in which they will consider evidence about whether he should be executed.
Cobbins was dry-eyed looking at family as the verdicts were read to a silent courtroom. His family was weeping and was hustled out of the courtroom by security as the judge recessed for the day.
The Christian and Newsom families showed no reaction during the reading of the verdicts, but were crying and patting each other on the back at the conclusion.
The panel from Davidson County heard six days of testimony and deliberated about seven and a half hours Monday and about three hours this morning before returning the verdicts.
Testimony wrapped up Saturday with Cobbins, 26, taking the stand in his own defense.
Cobbins was convicted of first-degree murder of both Christian, 21, and Newsom, 23, in the January 2007 kidnapping.
The jury found Cobbins guilty in all rapes of Christian, and not guilty in the rape of Newsom.
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131 Comments
Categories: Christian/Newsom Murders







Thank you so much each man and woman on the jury who gave your verdict. God be with the Christian and Newsom famlies.
L
May he rot in Hell.
Thank you….
The death penalty is the only appropriate sentence.
We were in Gatlinburg last week and this was all the news. FOAD s#!t stain
I was listening to the verdicts being read live on the radio. It brought tears to my eyes. Each count was very descriptive of the offense. I can’t imagine what terror this couple went through and what their families are going through. I have a daughter of my own and I know that I couldn’t bear it. If the death penalty doesn’t apply in this case, it doesn’t apply to any. I’ll be praying for peace for the Christian and Newsom families.
Maybe they can all be executed at the same time. It’s cheaper by the bulk.
Give them all the death penalty if found guilty, But what p!sses me off more is the Media’s silence.
Absolutely. Put this animal down. There’s no need to subject any prison guards to this monster. Death is richly deserved. I will never understand the hypocrisy of the anti-death penalty crowd. Under certain circumstances it is entirely acceptable for our nation to wage war and kill people, why not kill an animal like this? There are probably Al-qaeda agents that are less despicable then these animals.
I hope the DA won’t accept a plea bargain from the other animals that participated in this barbarity. They all need to face the death penalty.
Not really. This is one of those cases where only God has the ability to give the appropriate sentence.
Why the concern for his family? They should be forced to watch it all go down.
Thank you Yeshua for a rightesous verdict!
GSP
P.S. I am willing to take up a collection for the three drug cocktail, rope or the bullets.
Roland:
Need I caveat anything I say with “on Earth?”
I don’t believe in god, and yet my position on this matter is the same as yours. Shall we bring this to monster-thread?
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/07/23/the-dont-taze-me-bro-moment-of-henry-louis-gates/comment-page-89/#comment-788830
Please don’t waste any bullets on this piece of trash, we may need every last one down the road.
Michelle, could you pick up the phone and call someone at Foxnews and let them know about this? I haven’t seen anything about this there.
they will consider evidence about whether he should be executed.
Is there any question?????
I’m guessing there will be a parade of liberals passed through court telling the jury about what a poor childhood he had, and how society was holding him down causing this temporary lapse in judgment. “Spare him your honor, he can write a children’s book in prison.”
When the liberals start talking about sparing him and how government has no right to kill, tell them he just needs to have an end of life discussion with his doctor before we execute him. That’ll make their heads explode.
Hang him in the public square.
I have a rope they can use. Or, better yet, hang ‘em with barbed wire!
Liberal excuses for this criminal’s behavior, and explanations for the verdict:
Why…this verdict is just, just, just plain Racist…
The only reason they convicted him is because he’s black, not because he’s a POS sociopathic murdering bast*rd!
The obviously prejudiced jury is trying to intimidate black citizens of this country who are trying hard to get what they are owed.
This is the type of “death panel” black America can expect from a Sarah Palin administration.
President Bush pushed this poor black man over the edge.
Okay, what did I forget?
While I believe in the sanctity of life, this animal did not. He should not get any further consideration on the basis of the crimes he committed.
This kind of vermin should be eliminated from society forthwith!!
God Bless the jury and the families of the victims.
I too believe in the sanctity of life. But I would personally execute these animals myself. Some people are to be considered “sub-human” and just do not deserve to live. Actually, I also believe they should be executed in the same manner that they murdered.
He came from a broken home.
Temporarily insane due to the drugs he was on i.e. meth, coke, etc etc.
His momma never showed him any love because she was working to keep the welfare check coming in on time.
He grew up without an Xbox or Michael Jordan Nikes.
Of course he was dry-eyed. This monster probably has no feelings considering what he did.
The only reason they found him guilty is because he’s black.
Gee! Read every post but one and find I’ve been pre-emptied
Excellent news.
I believe there are some people who are born without a conscience. Why, I don’t know. But there is true evil in the world and it doesn’t matter what you do to “rehabilitate” these monsters. It won’t work. That goes for murderers, child abusers and sexual perverts of all kinds. There is no “cure” for these types of criminals. Why keep them alive? They serve NO purpose, not even to God.
I agree with everything that has been said with the one exception of comparing these monsters to animals. Now I understand the sentiment, but most animals kill for food,to protect themselves or their young, not for pleasure. These are monsters. There is not an adequate word to fully describe them , but monster is close. I live in Tennesee and listen to the Nashville news often, but had never heard of this case until a friend of mine emailed the story to me. Where is the press, and can you imagine if it was white people who murdered blacks? Everyone older than 2 years old would know about it.
you know the drill, it’s not important if a group of blacks does this to whites. It’s only important if whites do this to blacks. We live in a post-racial society, you know.
I think he should have bleach/draino poured down his throat after the guards give him oral and anal sex, then castrate him, them shoot him in the back of the head, pour gas on him and burn him and then throw him in the trash.
Justice has been delayed in this case for far too long. All I can say is: next!
If the media did report on it, they’d probably spin it that whitey deserved it somehow.
Would this be justifiable if they used the ‘n-word’? I’m sure the media would say this crime would be justifiable if they used the ‘n-word’.
Our society has gotten ridiculous. MS13 is full of a bunch of illegal aliens who just want a better life for their families. Don’t you dare ask for immigration papers you racist.
I volunteer to be the executioner.
Great, the first dirtbag has been convicted. Now the good people of Tenn. get to feed and house this mutt for the next 25years since he will more than likely be handed a death sentence. That death sentence is about as useless as all the resolutions that were sent Sadam’s way. The only true justice would’ve been a case of lead poisoning as he entered the courthouse-there isn’t a jury in the south that would hand up an indictment for that type of pest control!
May Cobbins roast in hell for all eternity.
“dry eyed”.
I wonder if this piece of excrement will cry when his sentence is passed.
Hell, put a bullet in the back of his head and send his family a bill for the ammo.
“I aint done with you by a damm sight. Im gonna get medieval on your a**”
(Pulp Fiction)
Medieval indeed. This scum (and the rest of them) should be hung, drawn and quartered. Sorry. But some crimes are so heinous they fill me with a bloodlust.
Since he’s black , Holder’s justice dept. will probably intervene and get his conviction over turned.
Some cases make one wish for good old fashioned hanging…in the town square!
Justice must be done, to be sure. But I would rather the killers get things in order with their Maker before their dates with the needle. So I will pray for the victims (the repose of their souls), the victims’ families (healing and closure), and yes, for the killers (repentance, remorse, and redemption).
maisy:
Though I certainly think a person like this deserves such a punishment, I think it’s likely that this comment won’t be recieved well by some.
as much “fun” as it is to consider putting him through what he put his victims through in order to execute him I’ll have to say give him a quick death. Don’t waste any more time or taxpayer money here, he’ll have enough to deal with standing in front of his maker.
Anybody here have a read on how Kentucky does with capital punishment? Sob sister court of appeals and such?
For several generations now we have looked for a more “humane” way to smoke these thugs. I too believe in hanging-public hanging. Do right it is over quick, done wrong it really does not take that long to choke. I doubt they go through more pain than most of us do in surgical recovery or an abscessed tooth. They certainly don’t suffer more than their victims families. I do not wish to be overly cruel to these murdering thugs-that is not who we are-but damn I am tired of showing them “respect”.
Make Peace with Your God and prepare for Hell.
Though I certainly think a person like this deserves such a punishment (public hanging), I think it’s likely that this comment won’t be recieved well by some.
In Continental Europe, this sort of crime would have merited breaking on the wheel instead of hanging…
Ok Prince Consort #41 you are correct of course. But couldn’t you have waited a day?
I was enjoying myself.
Prince Consort:
Well, I was really referring to the racial overtones. I would prefer a swift execution, however, I can’t say I really would worry too much about these animals’ suffering.
Errah, death by lethal injection of Old Bay and battery acid . . . .
I propose a compassionate and appropriate execution by soldering iron, Drano and a masonry drill.
Justice on this is earth, if you can call it that, is nothing compared to what he will receive for eternity.
Zeroangel:
Just a historical note, mind you, nothing more…I know more about ancient execution methods than is good for me…
Public televised hangings of garbage like this could be a way to raise awareness of the consequences to your actions. Even better would be to stick him in a cell with some prison rapists for a month first, THEN show him the gallows.
Good news,so far.I hold off on celebrating though,until all four of them have been put to death.
Whatever form of execution they use will not be “cruel and unusual” enough for those animals.
Of course the court system,instead of doing its job,will instead punish the rest of society and the victim’s families by making us pay to keep them alive.
There is no form of punishment appropriately painful and long-lasting enough for the perpetrators of such crimes.
I propose a compassionate and appropriate execution by soldering iron, Drano and a masonry drill.
My “dark side” prefers to have some fun. Were I not a Christian (or, at least, someone with some ethics held), I would rather drive the culprit to madness instead of death. A long series of mock executions would do the trick…or, if I wanted to be cruel, I’d keep him Supermaxed until he was old and weak, then turn him out to fend for himself…again, I am not at all condoning these things(I stand by my first comments), but sometimes…
Some cases make one wish for good old fashioned hanging…in the town square!
Though I certainly think a person like this deserves such a punishment, I think it’s likely that this comment won’t be recieved well by some.
Well tough poo if someone doesn’t like them. I can’t see how anyone could offer a prayer for this mutt regardless of the Christian way.I do think that his death should be quick and any talk of draino and soldering irons puts us on the same level as the Sadam Boys-a 45ACP into the back of the head is sufficient,of course only after he digs his own grave
Prickly Pear:
Once again, I was refering to the racial overtones ref. hanging. Personally, I would lay down some plastic and blow his brains out.
Great news! Let’s see some justice served here, with a swift and harsh sentence.
This is one of those cases that makes me wish we could suspend the 8th Amendment.
We could do something cruel & unusual—-force him to watch Roseanne Barr change into her thong…whilst she’s lying on a vinyl sofa.
Wasn’t this a hate crime?
Maybe you misunderstood, the murderer was black and the victoms were white.
So in other words, no it was not a hate crime.
…and both victims had the word Christ in their names
Ditto to all of the remarks shown today. Prayers for their suffering families.
We saw that many times over the years. Rodney King Riots: Reginald O. Denny is pulled from his truck, beaten and has a piece of concrete smashed on his head and the jury returns the lesser verdict of assault.
Reginald O. Denny took a worse beating than Rodney King. And where was our Justice Department?
Hate Crimes? Just think; Eric Holder gets to make the decision. How about calling a murderer a murderer and hanging them–without rancor or hate of course.
thetoysurgeon: the guards give him [1] oral and [2] anal sex
1) What if he bites?
2) What if he is HIV+?
Just sayin’.
I think all of you may be haters…
Hate crimes are only white on black. In the “old days” he wouldn’t have made it to trial, more than likely. A crowd would have stormed the jail and hung him. Now, he’ll get life without parole, or 25 years of death appeals.
Here is how the AP ended its article. Might they be a bit sensitive now that they got called on their bias.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,542564,00.html?test=latestnews
Riight, ’cause I know that if I try to talk my way out of a speeding ticket & it starts to go wrong, I always end up torturing an official with cleaning supplies and raping the body.
Once again, spinning it to look like anyone raising any questions is a member of a hate group. Great business model guys.
Sorry,I was typing faster than I was reading. According to some,if you have a darker skintone, any punishment is racist.A well placed hollowpoint doesn’t discriminate when meting out justice for a heinous crime.
I think all of you may be haters…
I won’t speak for the others here, but no, I do not and will not hate even men such as those who committed such brutal crimes. But that does not preclude the need for lawful justice to be done on them.
Come on folks, trash is trash. White or black. He’s been found guilty of a horrible crime and I hope he receives the death penalty.
I don’t think anyone is disagreeing with your point Cowboy, I think the black/white issue is being brought up due to the lack of MSM coverage and not even a hint of filing hate crime charges.
I heard that in the “olden” days, an animal like Cobbins, would have been led to a small wooden shack, a little bigger that an outhouse, and had his “unit” nailed to a piece of timber.
As the door was being shut, a small, dull, rusty knife would have been tossed to him. The shack would have been padlocked shut, soaked in kerosene, and then lit on fire.
Of course, he could cut all he wanted he would not be able to escape the coming inferno. That is country justice…pay for the crime, and have a short while to contemplate the consequences of your evil actions!
If I recall correctly, the ancient Romans had special punishments for especially terrible crimes, like being bound and thrown off the Tarpeian Rock in a sack with a rooster, a snake, a dog and a cat.
If I recall correctly, the ancient Romans had special punishments for especially terrible crimes, like being bound and thrown off the Tarpeian Rock in a sack with a rooster, a snake, a dog and a cat.
The ancient (and not so ancient) had some other nasty ways to execute criminals. Crucifixion was so horrible that Roman citizens could not be executed that way. In China, there was slow slicing – being cut to pieces alive. And the Turks developed impalement into an art form, the stake expertly passed through so that no vital organs or vessels were penetrated, and the victim left in constant agony for days.
IMO, the worst one was “the boat”. The victim would be placed in a boat and force-fed milk and honey until diarrhea
ensued. More of the same was smeared over the body. Another boat would be placed on top so that the head and extremities were the only parts showing, and then the whole thing would be set adrift in a swamp. According to one account, it took seventeen days for one victim to die in this fashion…
Defense?
Some crimes should be treated guilty till proven innocent (can you say IRS?)
What could this POS possibly have said in his own “defense”? How can he be guilty in one rape, but not in the rape of the other? Surely there was conspiracy in every act done by each of these individual monsters, acting in concert with one another.
I like the public hanging in the townsquare. But I have to admit, this is the best one I’ve heard so far.
It was a team crime.
Make it a team execution
I say let the grieving families supply the prayers; tools; weapons; chemicals; etc. for the execution. Tie them all up so that that they are looking into each other’s eyes at that moment of final breathe. That way, when they get to their maker’s meeting they can play the “defense” on each other.
I hope that none of them have any children out there.
On the stand, Cobbins kept referring to Channon Christian as “that girl”. The prosecutor asked him if he knew her name. He didn’t.
After 2-1/2 years, and after all he did, he doesn’t even know his victim’s name. IMO, he has given up his right to be treated as a human being.
AP: Oh well, mistakes were made.
Not like those car jackings where everything turns out OK
*I live 2 hours away and have followed the story from the beginning; I continue to lift the young couple and their families up in my thoughts and prayers; Hopefully justice will prevail for all those involved.
*The tragedy does not end here however; No one is willing to delve into the root cause problems within the black community; They continue in so many ways to look outside of their own sphere of influence for someone to blame for such actions, rather than to look inward; And so it will continue, as long as they follow race pimps such as Reverend Wright, Eric Holder, et al, and as long as they stay confined on the plantation afforded them by the Democratic Party.
end his life the way he ended the innocent couple’s lives, BASTARDS, one and all!
In the olden days, there used to be public stonings – as a deterrent.
Dead scum walking.
The verdict is life without possibility of parole, so we Tennesseans will be supporting him with food, tv internet, workout facilities, etc., etc. for the rest of his life.
Channon Christian’s dad asked what would Cobbins have to have done to deserve the death penalty? He also said that prisons today are girls’ schools.