Michelle Malkin » Horror in Knoxville update: Another guilty verdict in Christian-Newsom murders

Horror in Knoxville update: Another guilty verdict in Christian-Newsom murders

By Michelle Malkin • December 9, 2009 10:04 AM

Keeping you up to date on the ongoing trials in the case of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom, the young couple brutally murdered in a racially-charged case in Knoxville, TN in 2007. My archives on the case are here. Yesterday, a jury found defendant George Thomas criminally responsible for the January 2007 slayings of the Knox County couple. They found him guilty of 38 counts involving first-degree murder, felony murder, robbery, kidnapping and rape. Today, they decide his punishment in the death penalty case.

Via Knoxville Sentinel-News:

Thomas is the third of four defendants convicted in the case. Ringleader Lemaricus Davidson was sentenced to death after his October trial. Davidson’s brother, Letalvis Cobbins, escaped death after his August trial and instead was sentenced to life without parole.

Unlike Davidson and Cobbins, who faced a mountain of forensic evidence, the case against Thomas seemed in jeopardy at the outset. Prosecutors had no DNA, no fingerprints and no eyewitnesses. Thomas had conceded he was inside Davidson’s Chipman Street house where the couple was held captive but insisted he did nothing more than smoke marijuana and bide time until he could leave.

Dillard and Johnson contended Thomas’ presence and failure to act was not enough to meet the legal requirements of the criminal responsibility law, which allows a defendant to be rendered equally guilty of crimes committed by another if he or she benefited from the crimes and either aided or attempted to aid the perpetrators.

Even Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner seemed skeptical of the strength of the state’s case, reserving judgment — even now — on a defense bid to have the case tossed out for legal insufficiency of the evidence.

But Christian’s father, Gary Christian, said he, wife Deena Christian, and Newsom’s parents, Hugh and Mary Newsom, left the courtroom Monday after closing arguments confident that Thomas would be convicted.

“I think Leland Price and Takisha Fitzgerald … are brilliant,” he said after Tuesday’s verdicts. “I don’t think any of us … were confused about the outcome. We knew he was guilty. He knew he was guilty. This jury obviously knew he was guilty.”

“We’re very grateful to this jury,” Deena Christian said. “We just hope they can bring it home (in the penalty phase).”

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Posted in: Christian/Newsom Murders

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Comments

#1

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:12 am, jangar said:

Will any of these animals get the nite-nite shot? Doubtful.
#2

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:13 am, RedDog said:

Why is this never discussed as a hate crime? One day the worm will turn on the race mongers.
#3

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:14 am, xler8bmw said:

The needle is too good for these monsters they need to be put to death painfully like a faulty electric chair! Unfortunately these monsters will still continue to live for years through all of their appeals and waste the space good people use.

God bless their families unfortunately no matter how many they put to death, it won’t relieve their pain and loss.
#4

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:21 am, nlebou said:

Thank you for keeping us informed on this case Michelle. Hopefully, their families will get some form of comfort from knowing these evil human beings will pay for their crimes.
#5

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:22 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

Put them down like the rabid dogs they are. How can people not see evil when it is right in front of them?
#6

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am, ThatSamIAm said:

When animals kill they are by necessity put down. These animals are no different and their fate is their own doing.
#7

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:36 am, xler8bmw said:

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am, ThatSamIAm said:

I don’t agree animals don’t kill for pleasure or some mental disorder they kill for the primal reason of prey to survive, defense and eat. Monsters like these kill on purpose and emotional desire sane or insane not survival.
#8

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:42 am, Dexter Alarius said:

Thanks for keeping this story alive, Michelle. What a horrendous tragedy. My heart breaks every time I see the picture of that beautiful young couple. The horror and suffering they experienced in their last hours are sickening. There is no punishment too harsh for the animals that caused it. My prayers go out to their families.
#9

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:45 am, tre said:

I have a couple of ropes that can be used, if they need them.
#10

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:04 am, cheapseat said:

do them like the chinese, parade them through the streets for a few hours with a sign on them that tells all they are condemned for what crime, then take them out in the field and shoot them in the back of the head. sentence on monday, execution on tuesday. LESS CRIME ON WEDNESDAY. RECIDIVISM 0%.
#11

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:11 am, yohannbiimu said:

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:36 am, xler8bmw said:

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am, ThatSamIAm said:

I don’t agree animals don’t kill for pleasure or some mental disorder they kill for the primal reason of prey to survive, defense and eat. Monsters like these kill on purpose and emotional desire sane or insane not survival.

That is a very profound bit of reasoning, and it is interesting that most “monsters” in our cultures are either bipedal creatures with human-like appearances, or who have intelligences that are equal or superior to human beings.

These creatures are indeed monsters, and sadly our culture is slowly being deadened to the monstrosity and terror of their actions, so that they will eventually be taken into society’s bosom as fully-fledged normal civic-minded human beings. And, if you do not agree that they have sensible reasons why they brutally kill people, then YOU have a problem, not them.
#12

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:17 am, rocketman said:

***
As a Christian I believe that justice should be done–a quick execution for murderers found guilty of their crimes–after one appeal supports the verdict. The “perps” should die within a year of this process. Vengeance should not be used.
***
But when you see the faces of these two beautiful people abused, raped, tortured, and murdered by this scum–VENGEANCE LOOKS BETTER ALL THE TIME. See the PASSION OF THE CHRIST or the BRAVEHEART movies for suggestions on the old way these problems were handled.
***
Oh–it’s equal opportunity also–regardless of race, ethnic group, social status, etc. Since we don’t do vengeance–death or life in prison–no parole–will work.
***
John Bibb
***
#13

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am, FirstSkirt said:

Perfect post, Cheapseat.
#14

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:35 am, Paul Green said:

Lethal injections, electric chairs and firing squads — that is, government-inflicted punishments — do not give victims their lives back. The way to forestall this sort of atrocity is for potential victims to be armed and ready to repell it. Get a good handgun, get some training, and be alert to your surroundings. As the late great Jeff Cooper declared, “Your best protector is you!”
#15

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:36 am, glockomatic said:

Woodchipper. One inch at a time…
#16

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:52 am, Hulka said:

How long before prison justice is dispensed by the White Power crowd?

I can’t imagine these monsters surviving long in open population.
#17

On December 9th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, zorro said:

My heart breaks every time there is an update on this story. My prayers are with our Faithfully depart and their families this Advent time.

I am against the death penalty but am all for dungeons somewhere on the Aleutian Islands, no TV, gym, and library, nothing for them but isolation to share with their own demons. May God forgive them.
#18

On December 9th, 2009 at 12:21 pm, AmericaFirst said:

Execution is the only answer to all of these racist murdering rapist thugs. I’ll be first to volunteer as a rifleman execution squad.
#19

On December 9th, 2009 at 12:51 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

Thank God

Michelle thank you continuing to highlight this horror

These killers faces, names and actions should be on every channel

How far we have fallen as a country
#20

On December 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pm, rightisright said:

if there was ever a case where the convicted should be executed as they slaughtered their victims this is it. One problem with that is I doubt there are many of us that could execute the guilty in the same manner. Instead of a shot and lights out they should have to suffer just their victims did. Yep, I’m vengeful, besides think of the deterrent factor.
#21

On December 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

rocketman said:
But when you see the faces of these two beautiful people abused, raped, tortured, and murdered by this scum–VENGEANCE LOOKS BETTER ALL THE TIME

Pretty much sums it up for me. Four perps, four ropes, one tree.

Yes as Christians we are to forgive those who abuse us. But these murderers did not kill us, they killed Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. If in sincere Christian repentance they ask GOD for forgiveness all the Heavens will rejoice. But as neither Channon Christian nor Christopher Newsom are here to forgive them earthy justice must be served. VENGEANCE LOOKS BETTER ALL THE TIME.
#22

On December 9th, 2009 at 2:27 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

My acceptance of Jesus as my personal savior is not a suicide pact

I am not a biblical absolutist, nor do I accept that I am called upon to forever turn the other cheek

I do believe in righteous anger and an eye for an eye
#23

On December 9th, 2009 at 2:35 pm, WaterBoyz said:

Glad I’m here to stay informed.

No mention on Drudge or Fox News website.

Government punishment:
1) Make them listen to Barney Frank for 30 days straight.
2) Make them listen to Harry Reid for 30 days straight.

Actually, any method of enforcing the death penalty is too much money spent. Just let them starve to death.
#24

On December 9th, 2009 at 6:10 pm, Elm Creek Smith said:

On December 9th, 2009 at 10:12 am, jangar said:
Will any of these animals get the nite-nite shot? Doubtful.

My Christmas rifle and I are available.

ECS
#25

On December 9th, 2009 at 7:52 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

Just let them starve to death.

But with Dignity of course, we wouldn’t want to rob the lads of their Dignity.

ECS: a .22LR would do.
#26

On December 9th, 2009 at 9:23 pm, bjc said:

*Thanks Michelle for continuing to report what the Minor League Media refuses to do; It’s the only good news story I’ve found this week.
*As sad as this story has been, it’s even sadder to think that our feckless weasel of a CiC would probably say that this couple “acted stupidly” if he knew of the story; Hope and Change transformed into Desperation and Despair with one singular election.
#27

On December 9th, 2009 at 11:07 pm, Fineous Reese said:

the comparison to animals was close but missed a point imho. these lunks are like rabid dogs. 99% of animals are decent, same with humans, but some go bad in the head for whatever reason and need to be put down.

bad in the soul would be more accurate but before death the soul can still be saved.
#28

On December 10th, 2009 at 6:04 am, gunslingerpatriot said:

My other half in Knoxville has been keeping me updated with Christian and Newsome and how their families are holding up is a mystery to me that rivals why a benolavent God would send His Son to pay the price of my sins on a cross.

Continue to RIP Christian and Newsome, your memory hasn’t been forgotten.

GSP
Merry Christmas to one and all!
#29

On December 10th, 2009 at 1:22 pm, FirstSkirt said:

Gunslinging Patriot: I appreciate your fine post and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
All you other posters – you do such a good job of discussing issues on Ms. Malkin’s site and I consider myself well informed thanks to you. Merry Christmas and let’s pray for a better New Year in 2010.
#30

On December 10th, 2009 at 4:51 pm, Dan Lee said:

You do know what will happen to them here in Tennessee if they ever get out right??

Lemony Snicket…