Day 4: Investigators detail Coleman interviews
Posted: Nov 17, 2012 5:41 AM

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Jurors heard testimony from investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Knoxville police, TBI and a handwriting analyst as the state wrapped up their case against Vanessa Coleman.

Coleman is being tried for a second time for her role in the torture, rape, murder and robbery of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.

...more at link
http://www.wate.com/story/20118266/day- ... interviews

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Prosecution rests in Vanessa Coleman's retrial
Posted: Fri 5:48 PM, Nov 16, 2012
Updated: Fri 7:59 PM, Nov 16, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Prosecutors have rested in Vanessa Coleman's retrial accused of having a part in the murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. Court will resume Monday morning at 9:00.

On Friday, the fourth day of testimony, jurors heard more of Coleman's own confessions. This time, the key to the case: was it a confession that Coleman helped, or proof that she was forced?

When she was first interviewed Coleman wanted to stick to the story that she left Knoxville on Saturday, January 2, 2007, before Christian was kidnapped and before Newsom was killed. But after several interviews with the same story, she opened up and told agents that she saw Lemaricus Davidson leave the Chipman Street house on Saturday with a gun, claiming he was going to rob a bank or do something to get money, and come back with Christian in a blindfold. She said she saw Davidson tie Christian to the bed, and heard Christian beg him to stop.

Coleman further claimed she got up Sunday morning, cooked sausage, biscuits and eggs for everyone, all while she knew Christian was in the next room. This was the same story she'd told before, until police pressed her, and then another break came. Police said she often talked in circles with officers, bouncing around dates and places.

...more at link
http://www.local8now.com/news/headlines ... 30981.html

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Reporter's notebook: Prosecutors say journal showed Vanessa Coleman not upset
By Jamie Satterfield
Posted November 18, 2012 at 4 a.m.

Having born witness — by her own account — to the death of a University of Tennessee senior kidnapped by strangers, Vanessa Coleman posed a question in her journal.

"How interesting is your life?" she wrote. "I bet it won't compare to mine cuz (sic) I love my life."

Coleman's journal, penned just days after Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, were kidnapped, raped, beaten and slain in January 2007, is key evidence for prosecutors Leland Price and TaKisha Fitzgerald as they try to prove Coleman guilty of facilitating the crimes against Christian.

Coleman is standing trial — for the second time — in Knox County Criminal Court on 17 counts of facilitation of kidnapping, rape and murder in connection with the crimes committed against Christian. She was convicted of those counts in May 2010 but acquitted of any role in the crimes committed against Newsom. She received a new trial after a pill scandal involving the judge who presided over that trial but double jeopardy provisions of the law prevent her from being retried in Newsom's death.

Coleman contends she was an 18-year-old girl suddenly confronted with a horrific scenario in which her boyfriend, Letalvis Cobbins, his brother, Lemaricus Davidson, and Cobbins' pal, George Thomas, kidnapped the young couple and threatened her life if she sought to intervene. Cobbins, Thomas and Coleman all lived in Kentucky but were visiting Davidson on the weekend of the slayings.
...snip...

Coleman initially was treated as a witness in the case and even placed in protective custody when media reports of her presence in the house surfaced. She wound up indicted, however, after she admitted — nine interviews later — that she checked Christian's pulse at Davidson's direction and watched him hog-tie Christian just before she was stuffed inside the trash can.

The state rested its case Friday night. The defense launches its proof on Monday. The jury, pulled from Jackson, Tenn., because of publicity surrounding the case in East Tennessee, is being sequestered in a Knoxville hotel.

...more at link
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/nov/1 ... not-upset/

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Hello Rumpole; I hope I've posted my comment in the correct place, no trash bin jokes LOL. Any thoughts regarding Nessa's retrial? I thought it bizarre that Lavit kept arguing until the jury laughed at him for proving the prosecution's point, I hope the jurors are taking plenty of notes. I've seen video where Nessa had a constant smirk upon her face during her previous trial, that appears to have been replaced with a zombie like stare this time. I doubt Nessa is scared because this is a win-win opportunity for her, she absolutely can't fare any worse & has nothing to lose. I've come to the conclusion that either too many Americans believe every manipulated media story or I'm incorrect in assuming that the Chris Newsome & Channon Christian murders are the result of a government that's driving a wedge of hatred between the Races & economic classes. I can support my opinion by citing Obama's 2009 signing of the enhanced hate crime statutes & the bias of previously recent enacted hate crime statutes which legally prevent White's as being classified as victims of hate crime. The media favors the Progressive Libtards eliminating the U.S.Constitution in favor of a Marxist Socialist Democratic Charter. Most people believe the media, they're blinded to the fact that the U.S. is under attack (Trojan Horse style) from many within our own government. Progressive Democrats will do in 20 years what the USSR failed to do in 45+ years. All Americans should feel a responsibility to protect the USA from enemies foreign & domestic. The government controls the media & they've dictated to the media that it's politically incorrect to report Black crime, especially Black on White crime. Hence Chris Newsome & Channon Christian are casualties of government implemented tactic of divide & conquer. We're blind to it mainly due to the media censoring the news to suit an imposed political correctness. It sucks, I don't like the media or trust the government at all. We should all be as wise as our forefathers & fear a government that despises the protection we're afforded by the U.S.Constitution! The government is the cause & the Newsome/Christian tragedy is the effect.

Hi carrestoguy

Welcome to RT

Sure you posted in correct place... the lead in to the next trial day I can move... later.

I got involved in following this case and the 4 original trials because of a friend's interest... they are almost too horrible to follow in detail. I can hardly bear to be doing it again, but I sort of feel like I have to see what justice there is through to the end.

I think some effort has been made to purposely avoid the obvious... the hate/race crime aspect. It is obviously there, and would be shouted from the roof tops if the races were reversed.
I sort of go along with that. These crimes are so horrendous it's superfluous to try these animals for any racial motive. Sheer evil motive is sufficient. And we all know that there would be cries of unfair racism against these animals if it were at all possible. Already Lavit is playing the race card... in regards jury selection and whenever he can in the trial proper.

I am watching this trial and trying (as I always do) to forget what I already know, and just consider what is presented in court. I have to say... what is presented so far does NOT give the whole story of how awful the crimes were.. nor how obviously involved Coleman was... and the State has rested!!! 3
I hope the closing argument is comprehensive!!

Yes Coleman can't be any worse off as a result.. and IMO she was let off lightly the first time.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Week 2 (Day 5) trial due to resume.

The State has "Rested" and so today we kick of a rollicking adventure of the Defence case presented by...... LAVIT!!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Court seems to have started early?

Picture and no sound... sound just came on.

Lavit asking for charges to be dismissed

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Judge swearing Coleman in and asking about testifying, stressing the choice to testify or not is hers and hers alone etc

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

John Treanor:

"I refuse to testify your honor" - Vanessa Coleman

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Now both sides discussing fine points of Jury instructions.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Jury coming in

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

First witness Greg Coleman - Father

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Lavit leading witness... who otherwise does not seem to know what he is "supposed" to say... Several objections for Lavit asking witness for Hearsay evidence (what others said)... Lavit wants sidebar.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Straight back to hearsay... Lavit seems to rely on hearsay... yet objects to it from other side.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Linda Coleman - Mother

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Jamie Satterfield:
TK - "Did u believe her to be in any danger whatsoever?" Lavit rehabbing with she didn't know what had happened. Defense rests

We'll take break, then closing arguments after brief battle over whether state as proven its case enuff to go to jury

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Not much of a defence?

I thought both parents were trying to spin their answers... especially the Mother... trying desperately to NOT tell the whole truth when she thought it might look worse for Vanessa.......obviously Vanessa learned to be devious and deceptive off her mother.
I think it would have been more use to Vanessa if the parents were totally open and honest... the Jury might have had some sympathy for parents who had done their best but daughter had gone astray. Instead I think they might well think the whole family are dishonest.... so be less inclined to cut any slack.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I am not sure the horrors of these crimes and Coleman's participation have been spelled out yet... I am expecting a good final argument from State to spell it out.

From Lavit I expect slow drawn out attempt to say poor Vanessa was a victim.. not involved at all, unaware of what exactly happened and unable to go to police because of threats to herself. Of course that is hardly true at any stage.. especially after the crimes and especially after the 3 guys locked up.. and Coleman was still lying to police in interviews.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

TK Closing... starting with Time Line.. projected on screen for Jury and audience.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light