He saw four black men in the car. During sentencing, Blackwood commented that "the psychological torture of this unfortunate victim was immense." [56] After murdering Newsom, the assailants returned to Davidson's house where they beat and repeatedly raped Christian. The thugs tied her up inside the Chipman Street house of Lemaricus Davidson. "I had a car," he said. 08-6402 . Knoxville investigators did not find Christian until the following Tuesday. She admitted they all smoked marijuana. [1][2][3] Four males and one female were arrested, charged, and convicted in the case. "I was shocked (to see Davidson) because (Davidson's) house was on the news," Armstrong said. Coleman was convicted of facilitation only in the rape . It's not a black-and-white issue. Let's talk about adventures! About twice as many counter-protesters as protestors attended, including the "Coup Cluts Clowns", an activist group which mocks the Ku Klux Klan. [89][90], Davidson was also indicted for the Pizza Hut robbery committed the day after the murders. After killing Newsom, the assailants set his body on fire. forensic - autopsy stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. [I]t's a crazy world these days! On Thursday, the pair presented surprise evidence suggesting that Boyd knew about the slayings because he was there at the Chipman Street house when the couple were being held captive and brutalized. Specifically, he sentenced her to 25 years for the facilitation of Christian's murder, six years for the facilitation of kidnapping, and four years for the facilitation of rape. Additionally, Christian suffered bruises and carpet burns on much of her body. Photographs of the crimes caused some people in court to pass out. he asked Boyd in the videotaped interview. May 19, 2016 - Explore Maria Narvaez's board "Channon Christian & Christopher Newsome Murders" on Pinterest. In January 2016, Thomas appealed to the United States Supreme Court[120] but the court did not agree to hear the case. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Channon was tied up and removed to a trash can. The police eventually discover their raped and brutally beaten bodies and trace the murders to five black suspects setting off racial . October 22, 2009 - 9:26am Court is back in session. No. "This was the worst crime Knoxville had experienced," Hugh Newsom told producers. [9], Boyd finally went to trial on the state charges in August 2019. The car slowed down for about 20 seconds as if the occupants were "checking him out". An entry from January 9 read: Last night was one of a kind. At the time of her death, Shanann had been 15 weeks pregnant (via MEAWW). Co-defendant George Thomas testified as a witness in the Boyd trial. He said Boyd kept quiet during the 20- to 30-minute conversation. [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. [13][97] On August 26, Cobbins was sentenced to life without parole. Her thighs were bound to her chest with a pink curtain. He was found guilty of facilitating the murder of Newsom, but he was acquitted of Newsom's rape. His bare and muddy feet indicated that he had walked barefoot to the area where he was killed. True Crime Diva 2010-2022. And that their friends should be raped and murdered like Channon and Christopher. Prosecutors believe a mangled dog leash found on a hillside leading up to the railroad tracks was used to force Newsom to walk to his death. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ordered by a judge for a defendant charged with being. The Newsoms hope . Although Christian sustained multiple blows to the head and other trauma, she ultimately suffocated after being placed in the plastic bags. 'I don't know what's going on. The BEST of the worst true crime and macabre stories guaranteed to haunt your nightmares. [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. [42] As Christian was suffocating to death, Davidson left to spend time with his girlfriend and gave her Christian's personal items. She described the fatal wound as reminiscent of an execution. "I asked him (Davidson) if he had anything on him as far as a weapon," she said. However, after a new trial in November 2013, Coleman wasgiven a lesser sentence of 35 years in prison. 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.. [20], All of the state convictions were initially set aside because of misconduct by the presiding judge, who has since been disbarred. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. [30], Hugh Christopher "Chris" Newsom Jr. (born September 21, 1983, in Knoxville) was a former baseball player for the Halls High School Red Devils, graduating in 2002. He then used Christian's vehicle to deal drugs and wiped it clean. On the night of January 6, 2007, two assailants carjacked Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom, 23. On August 14, 2019, Boyd, who has long been suspected as the man responsible for the assault against Newsom,was convicted of first-degree murderincluding related crimes of kidnapping and assault. The perpetrators were all black. In exchange for his testimony, Thomas was allowed to have his first-degree murder convictions reduced to second-degree murder, his aggravated rape convictions reduced to aggravated assault, and his sentence reduced from life in prison with the possibility of parole to 50 years (two 25-year terms with the opportunity to reduce his sentence by up to 15 percent based on good behavior during incarceration). The witness later observed the 4Runner drive slowly by him. The horrifying rape, torture murder of eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, The 1977 disappearance of Rachel Hanna Ziselman, The mystifying disappearance of 14-year-old Stacy Ann Arras. Both were forced into the backseat of Christian's SUV at gunpoint, had their hands tied behind their backs, and were taken to Davidson's house at 2316 Chipman Street. The men tied Christian up with bed sheets andforced her into large trash bags, ultimately suffocating her. The perpetrators attacked the couple in a parking lot near an apartment complex in Knoxville, TN. [73] On January 11, Davidson was arrested in the vacant house. ul.searchbrowse li {margin:0 0 5%; font-size:0.75em; /* 12/16 */ } The assailants then covered her in bleachin what forensic investigators believe wasan effort to conceal DNA evidence. Reportedly, four of them - Davidson; his brother, Cobbins; Cobbinss friend Thomas; and Thomass girlfriend, Coleman - abusedChristian before she died. It sounded like water was on, and something fell into the sink.". [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. 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. [50][72] Also inside the house were several items that belonged to Christian and Newsom, including Christian's purse, clothing she had in her vehicle, Christian's shoes, camera, photographs (which were ripped and burned), and iPod and Newsom's baseball caps and driver's license. Her entire body was then placed inside five large garbage bags. In response, white supremacist Internet radio host Hal Turner set in motion rumors that the . I have not heard Mr. Lomonaco argue these facts are not relevant.". According to the FBI, African-Americans accounted for 55.9% of all homicide offenders in 2019, with whites 41.1%, and "Other" 3.0% in cases where the race was known. She was speaking to a male. It[']s going to be a long interesting year! "[148], On May 27, 2007, less than 30 white supremacists, led by Alex Linder rallied in downtown Knoxville to protest against the murders. He faces death if convicted. She went to stay with a co-worker and her girlfriend. In her initial trial, Coleman was acquitted of all charges in the murder of Christian's boyfriend, Christopher Newsom. [149], After the protest, columnist Leonard Pitts dismissed claims that the crime was under-reported. On December 8,2009, George Thomas was sentenced to life . Lomonaco next turned his attention to Sutton, who he contends is just as guilty as Boyd is alleged to be in hiding a killer. [26][27][28][29] Efforts have been made to remember and honor Christian and Newsom. Five suspects in total - Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, George Thomas, Eric Boyd, and Vanessa Coleman - then assaultedand killed Christian and Newsom. On January 6, 2007, couple Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom were out in East Knoxville. #searchlist {width:100%; border-bottom: 2px #e5e5e5 solid; margin: 3% 0 5% 0;} What happened to nine-year-old Serenity Dennard? Their vehicle had been carjacked. He was re-sentenced to life in prison by the jury, but with the possibility of parole after 51 years. "We've been through the worst. Those who committed this crime were unjust in doing so, and they should pay the penalty. "They weren't able to carjack them, so they ordered them to drive," Boyd said in the statement. [23], In June 2012, Judge Blackwood again granted new trials for Davidson, Cobbins, and Thomas, basing his decision on the "13th juror rule". October 22, 2009 - 9:18am Boyd said Davidson pinned the killings on Thomas. "[61], Before killing her, to remove DNA evidence, Christian's attackers poured bleach down her throat and scrubbed her body, including her bleeding and battered genital area with it. [85] Judge Richard Baumgartner allowed Thomas and Cobbins to be tried by juries from Davidson County (which includes Nashville). When Newsom was murdered, his hands were bound behind his back, and his feet were bound together. autopsy later revealed that Christopher Newsom had been shot three times, once on the right side of the head, once on the right side of the neck, and once in the back. Forensic evidence indicated both Davidson and Thomas fired shots, and Davidson was ultimately responsible forNewsom's demise. 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]. 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. Those fingerprints led them to Davidsons residence at 2316 Chipman Street. The baffling disappearance of Jordan Alexander Holling. Coleman was up for parole because she had served eight years in prison in December 2014. She was, an autopsy indicated, alive while the torture and degradations occurred. "The United States did not create the facts in this case. 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. He is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City, a low-security federal prison in Yazoo County, Mississippi. Does that make sense to you?" The couple's friends and families tried to find them, checking local hospitals and filing missing person reports. "She said, 'Oh, my God, Daphne, they found a body in your house.' Chris eventually shot to death before being set on fire, and Channon left to die with a plastic bag over her head in a trash can. The fatal shot was fired with the gun's muzzle against his head above his right ear, and it severed his brain stem. The assailants lit his body on fire to cover up their tracks. On the witness stand, she chalked it up to denial. Performance & security by Cloudflare. The tragic double murder shook the Knoxville area, and investigators were unsure of the motive behind the attack. In the wake of the murders, a Knox County Grand Jury handed down multiple indictments in the case. [18][19] He was convicted on state level charges over a decade later in 2019. "[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. Judge Blackwood was asked to consider the motions again for new trials. Blackwood sentenced Coleman to 35 years in prison on February 1, 2013, minus credit for time already served. Further, Mr. Newsom had been sodomized and was not wearing pants. 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. He had been beaten, raped, and shot. Horrifying facts and disturbing details about real cases that shocked. Cookie Notice He was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church and a graduate of Halls High School, Class of . Who Murdered Four-Year-Old Jessica Phelps in 1997? Authorities discovered Newsomfirst - on Sunday, January 7, 2007, hours after his death. *In March of 2014, the actual Tn status legislature flushed several expenses through Channon Christian's and even Joe Newsom's leaders. ul.searchbrowse li a {color:#676767; text-decoration:none; } The Murders. 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. After murdering Christopher, the five criminals returned to torture Channon. [47][48][49] Christian was also anally and vaginally raped. Baumgartner ruled that Thomas' phone calls from the jailhouse to his acquaintances were admissible as evidence. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The next day, her mother phoned with news that Christian's body had been found inside a trash can in the Chipman Street house. But I love the fun adventures [and] lessons that I've learned. [10] After a jury trial, Davidson was convicted and sentenced to death by lethal injection. Several of the victims' belongings had Davidson's prints. One of the men sprayed bleach down her throat to destroy DNA evidence. So horrific and evil. The men repeatedly raped and sodomized her; they savagely kicked or had beaten her in her genital area with an object. Sutton admitted she never told police and repeatedly lied to them in an effort to impede their manhunt for Davidson. [45][53][63] Christian died between the afternoon of January 7 and the afternoon of January 8. The front seats were pushed back, and Christian could not have reached the pedals. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Christopher Newsomwasa former baseball standout. This Actress's Murder Changed Stalking Laws, 40 People Heard Kitty Genovese Being Murdered, Facts About The Murder Of Channon Christian And Chris Newsom. We Asked, You Answered: What Would You Pick For Your Last Meal On Death Row? Her testimony capped the end of the state's weeklong case against suspect Letalvis Cobbins. Among homicide victims in 2019 where the race was known, 54.7% were black or African-American, 42.3% were white, and 3.1% were of other races. Another slaying suspect, George "G" Thomas, "was rolling a blunt," which is slang for a cigar-style marijuana cigarette, she said. She was also beaten, kicked in her groin, and beaten on the head. He pleaded guilty to official misconduct. A. Sutton said Davidson first blamed the killings on Cobbins, and also claimed that Cobbins had forced Christian to shoot Newsom. He is not charged, however, in either the carjacking or the killings. The parole hearing was rescheduled from October to December. CHRIS NEWSOM OBITUARY. They were kidnapped the evening of January 6, 2007 when Christian's vehi Show more Show more. He said yes. In testimony Friday, Davidson's former girlfriend, Daphne Sutton, said she suspected the man was a killer but slept with him anyway. given a lesser sentence of 35 years in prison, The 1945 Disappearance of Thora Afton Chamberlain, Robert Pickton The Case of the Killer Pig Farmer, Bonnie Woodward: Grandmother missing since 2010, The Tragic Short Life of Florence Sally Horner. February 1, 2013, minus credit for time already served and the afternoon of 6... 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