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PostPosted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 4:42 pm 
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Christian/Newsom – Retrial Schedule
01/12/2012 donchais

Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood set....
June 11 for the retrial of Lemaricus Davidson, the only defendant who received the death penalty.

The other defendant’s trials are scheduled for...
August 27 for Letalvis Cobbins

October 22 for George Thomas

November 12 for Vanessa Coleman.

Blackwood also ruled there will be no change of venue for any of the trials, however juries will be brought in from other counties – those counties have not been determined.

Coleman’s attorney’s requested bond for her because she doesn’t face the possibility of a death sentence. Bond was set at $ 1 million.

Thoughts and prayers are for the Newsom and Christian families. May they find the strength and courage to endure this horror, yet again!

Knoxville News

http://callsforjustice.wordpress.com/20 ... -schedule/

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:13 pm 
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Guilty plea in robbery after Christian-Newsom murders
Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:17 AM

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LeMaricus Davidson in 2009

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - LeMaricus Davidson pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing a Pizza Hut a day after the Christian-Newsom murders, in which he faces a second trial.

Davidson, who had a felony record, could receive eight years for the robbery. He pleaded to charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and possession of gun.

He will serve his term concurrent with whatever sentence he's expected to receive for the slayings of Channon Christian and her boyfriend, Chris Newsom.

....more at link
http://www.wate.com/story/17386543/guil ... om-murders

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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2012 8:48 am 
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Court won't take up Christian-Newsom retrial appeals

Posted: Apr 13, 2012 10:19 PM CDT

KNOXVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has said that it won't take up an extraordinary appeal involving a lower court's decision to throw out convictions in the murders of a Knoxville couple who was kidnapped and sexually tortured.

Friday's split court decision is a setback for Knox County prosecutors who were hoping that they wouldn't be forced to retry cases heard by a judge who is said to have been high on prescription drugs.

A lower court has already found that Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner was impaired by drugs his last two years on the bench.


More at link with comments

http://www.wate.com/story/17437125/cour ... al-appeals


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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2012 2:19 pm 
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"....won't take up an extraordinary appeal"

My read is.... the appeal has failed... the retrials proceed

And what a travesty that is... it was awful to see the parents go thru one trial, then have to repeat that ordeal each of another 3 times.

And now they have to do it all again?

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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2012 9:20 pm 
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That was how I took it.


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 Post subject: Re: News and Updates
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2012 8:36 am 
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The Tennessee Supreme Court has overturned a special judge's decision to order new trials for three murder defendants after the judge in their original trial pleaded guilty to official misconduct. To me, that reads Blackwood, (the special judge who called for the new trials) decision to retry was overturned. But TN supreme court also sent it back to local jurisdictation to decide what to do. So the new judge who handles all of Baumgartner's cases could decide to go ahead with the retrials.

It states the defendants had not shown that former Judge Richard Baumgartner's misconduct outside the courtroom affected their trials.

I agree with that. Even Blackwood had not said anything about any ruling Baumgartner made during trial was detrimental to the defendants cases. No prejudicious was shown.


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PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2012 3:38 pm 
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So no retrials?

THAT would be GREAT NEWS!!!!

Do you have any link for this info, Tigress?

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PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:10 pm 
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Baumgartner faces federal drug charges, pleads not guilty
10:04 PM, May 15, 2012

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Former Knox County judge Richard Baumgartner is charged with seven counts of misprision of a felony, which essentially means the "improper performance of a duty."

A federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a seven-count indictment against Baumgartner on Tuesday, May 15. He was arrested later that afternoon, and made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge C. Clifford Shirley.

...more at link
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/219907 ... al-charges

Video report
http://www.wbir.com/video/default.aspx? ... 1125527001

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PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:22 pm 
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Tennessee Supreme Court Stops Overturn of Christian-Newsom Case Convictions
Friday, May 25, 2012

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On Thursday, the Tennessee Supreme Court halted Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood's decision to overturn convictions in the Christian-Newsom torture-murders, turning back his ruling that former Judge Richard Baumgartner's conduct outside court was so bad that it affected the verdicts and also directing him to take a closer look at his own ability to serve as an independent "13th juror."

Judge Blackwood is being asked to give more reason for the convictions to be overturned than he had previously. It appears that if he cannot, the verdicts for three of the defendants, Letalvis Cobbins, Lemaricus Davidson, and George Thomas, will stand. Davidson received a death sentence, Cobbins and Thomas life without parole.

Knox County prosecutors did not contest the need for a new trial in Vanessa Coleman's case. Baumgartner appeared intoxicated during the reading of the verdict in Coleman's trial in May 2010. The former judge has said he was under the influence of Xanax at the time.


......more at link
http://sprocket-trials.blogspot.co.nz/2 ... rturn.html

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 Post subject: Re: News and Updates
PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2012 4:31 pm 
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So it seems there is a halt in 3 retrials... but who knows if they ultimately will proceed?

Nessie's retrial goes ahead

November 12 for Vanessa Coleman.

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:39 am 
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Christian and Newsom families react to Supreme Court decision
Reporter: Conroy Delouche
Posted: Thu 11:22 PM, May 24, 2012
Updated: Fri 12:02 AM, May 25, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The search for a new trial took a huge step backwards for three of the defendants in the Christian-Newsom murders.
For the two families of the victims, it's a step in the right direction toward justice.
The State Supreme Court agreed with the state after they appealed a Knox County court decision that would put the convicted killers back in the courtroom.

Mary and Hugh Newsom were on their way to Norris Lake for the holiday weekend when they heard the Supreme Court's decision.
"Great, very excited. Very excited to hear the news," said Mary.
There's been many sleepless nights for both the Christians and the Newsoms. They've already been through four trials and countless hearing over the past five years.

....more at link
http://www.local8now.com/news/headlines ... 96885.html

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:03 am 
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District Attorney asks judge to step down from Christian-Newsom case
Posted: Jun 05, 2012 6:11 AM

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KNOXVILLE (WATE) - District Attorney General Randy Nichols has asked a special judge to recuse himself from the Channon Christian/Christopher Newsom murder and torture case.
In a filing with the court Friday, Nichols questions Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood's impartiality in the case and says the judge has already decided to grant new trials to the defendants without another hearing.
The motion claims the Blackwood will not allow the state to argue its case.
The district attorney's filing in Knox County Criminal Court says Judge Blackwood has already decided again to grant new trials to Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins and George Thomas, three of four defendants in the January 2007 slayings of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.
It would be the second time Blackwood has granted new trials to the defendants. His first rulings were made in December 2011.

A fourth defendant, Vanessa Coleman, was also granted a new trial and prosecutors are not contesting that decision.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled last month Blackwood used faulty legal reasoning in his first ruling and sent the case back to him for reconsideration.
In the state's motion, Nichols says Blackwood sent a letter on May 29 stating he would grant new trials at 4:00 that day. A later email said there would be "no further hearings regarding this order."

....more at link
http://www.wate.com/story/18694589/dist ... ewsom-case

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PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:38 am 
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Judge Blackwood orders new trials in Christian/Newsom torture slayings
By Jamie Satterfield
Posted June 6

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KNOXVILLE — An order has been filed ordering new trials for the defendants in a January 2007 torture slaying, according to John Gill, special counsel to Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols.

This comes despite a request from prosecutors that Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood recuse himself from the case of the killings of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23.

....more at link
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/0 ... iannewsom/

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PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:36 pm 
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Ugh so Blackwood decided for new trials huh.


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PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:41 pm 
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Yes.

It's awful.. the on again, off again makes it worse.

It does seem there will be another trial for Nessie... whatever else happens.

Making the parents go all this again is just plain wrong!!

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:24 am 
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Judge Blackwood will not recuse himself from Christian Newsom cases
5:42 PM, Jun 14, 2012

Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood says he will not recuse himself from overseeing the Channon Christian and Chris Newsom murder cases.
In a hearing in court on Thursday, Blackwood said, "I intend to run this ship. I'm here by appointment of Supreme Court. Until Supreme Court tells me otherwise, I'm not leaving."
Prosecutors filed a motion on June 1 that asked Blackwood to step aside earlier this month. Their Motion To Recuse includes emails the state said the judge sent to attorneys involved in the case. References to rumors within the e-mails have prosecutors concerned.

The District Attorney's Office referred to the use of rumors as a conflict with the code of judicial conduct.

....more at link
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/223017 ... wsom-cases

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:28 am 
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Is judge too emotionally involved in Christian-Newsom case?
By ALEXIS ZOTOS

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A courtroom outburst Thursday between Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood and District Attorney General Randy Nichols has people wondering if the judge is too emotionally involved in the Christian-Newsom murders case.

The outburst may have looked like a scene from a legal drama, but a Lincoln Memorial University professor says the Christian-Newsom case has everyone involved working overtime and tension is at an all time high.

....more at link
http://www.wate.com/story/18801861/is-j ... ewsom-case

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:32 am 
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DA's office seeks audio from recusal hearing in Christian-Newsom case
Posted: Jun 21, 2012 9:07 AM

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - The Knox County District Attorney General's Office is asking for audio recordings and a transcript of last week's volatile hearing in the Christian-Newsom murders case.

Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood and DA Randy Nichols wound up in a yelling match during the hearing when the judge refused to recuse himself from the case.

The DA's office says it wants to attach the recordings to its next motion for the judge to recuse himself.

The motions argue that Judge Blackwood couldn't rule impartially because of his emotional connections to the trial.

....more at link
http://www.wate.com/story/18839108/das- ... ewsom-case

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:37 am 
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Judge sets new hearing on motion to recuse in Christian-Newsom case
By STEPHANIE BEECKEN
Posted: Jun 22, 2012 5:26 AM
Updated: Jun 22, 2012 7:30 AM

KNOXVILLE (WATE) - The judge in the Christian-Newsom murders case now says he will hold a hearing in October on whether to recuse himself.

Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood refused to step down from the case in a hearing on June 14.

However, in a two-page corrected order filed Wednesday, Judge Blackwood set a hearing on October 8 to consider the state's recusal motion and amended motion.

The state has five days from when the new order was filed to respond. The defendants have 30 days to file their response.

Lincoln Memorial University law professor Richard Gaines says in Judge Blackwood's new order, he seems to be rethinking some of his previous decisions.

"The judge is saying okay state if you really want me to be recused, file something in support of this motion," Gaines said.

Judge Blackwood's new order also says he will re-review his ruling for new trials for two of the defendants in the case, Letalvis Cobbins and LeMaricus Davidson.

"The new trials that were ordered are now being re-reviewed and the judge who said he's not going to recuse himself is thinking maybe he might now. We're talking entirely changed from what we had last week and a month ago," Gaines said.

Blackwood said he will review the transcripts of the trials for Cobbins and Davidson and file an order on them on August 17.

The order to grant a new trial for a third defendant, George Thomas, remains in effect, according to Blackwood's order.

The judge says all three of those defendants have filed notice that they will seek a stay in the proceedings to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The order says that needs to be done quickly.

....more at link
http://www.wate.com/story/18847599/judg ... ewsom-case

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PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:41 pm 
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DA Randy Nichols hid signs of ex-judge Richard Baumgartner's misdeeds, attorneys contend
By Jamie Satterfield
Posted June 28, 2012 at 4 a.m.

Right motion. Wrong judge.

Quote:
....response to the state's bid to push Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood off the bench in one of Knoxville's most horrific criminal cases — the torture slayings of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23.


Quote:
"Counsel for (defendant George Thomas) agree that a motion to recuse was appropriate and should have been filed by the state, but not against the current judge (Blackwood)," the pair wrote. "A motion to recuse should have been filed years ago in this case concerning Judge Baumgartner."


Quote:
The News Sentinel had reported that the portion of the file made public revealed the two prosecutors who handled the Christian/Newsom trials saw Baumgartner as a motorist weaving on his way back from jury selection in the trial of defendant Vanessa Coleman and that Baumgartner later pulled the pair aside and admitted he had been driving under the influence of what he claimed were muscle relaxers.

The newspaper also disclosed that Nichols, in turn, confronted Baumgartner, who confessed he had been drinking an entire bottle of wine each night to ease insomnia.

But Dillard and Johnson added another revelation not contained in the part of the file made public.

"During this visit, former Judge Baumgartner told Mr. Nichols that he was drinking a bottle of wine a night while at the same time going to the Bradford Rehabilitation Clinic (an outpatient center in Knoxville) and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings," the pair wrote.

Worse, the attorneys contend, both Nichols and his staff kept these revelations secret from the lawyers in the Christian/Newsom case.



....more at link
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jun/2 ... e-richard/

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