Vanessa Coleman (aka "Nessie")
DOB: 6/29/88
Coleman, 18 at the time of the crimes, was intially held as a witness. She was present at the Chipman house and stated that she saw Thomas and Davidson with blood on their clothing and detected a gasoline odor from their clothes, thus implicating them in the murder of Newsom. Coleman has also stated that Thomas told her he had shot Newsom. She also witnessed Davidson choking and tying up Christian as well as using cleaning fluid on her.
Others involved, however, have named her as an active participant. It remains unclear which of the defendants did so.
Coleman faces 40 Tennessee state charges. Her charges exclude carjacking but include indictments for 12 counts of felony murder growing out of the rape, robbery, kidnapping, and theft of Christian and Newsom, 1 count of premeditated murder (of Christian only), 1 count of especially aggravated robbery (of Newsom only), 4 counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, 20 counts of aggravated rape, and 2 counts of theft.
Coleman testified at the federal Grand Jury indictment of Eric Boyd.
Questions whether Coleman has immunity from prosecution for her testimony have complicated her being tried by State of Tennessee for matters related to the Christian-Newsom cases.
Originally scheduled for trial after Cobbins, her trial has been delayed pending appeals by her attorney.
She is also wanted for assault charges in Kentucky.
Date of Re-Trial:November 12, 2012