Coleman retrial begins TuesdaySubmitted by WBIR Web Staff
Monday, November 12th, 2012, 6:44pm
Tuesday morning, a West Tennessee jury will hear opening arguments in the retrial of Vanessa Coleman.The trial should begin at 9 a.m. in Downtown Knoxville inside the City County Building.
The new case was caused by the former judge admitting a pill addiction.
Two years ago, Coleman was the fifth person to face trial in connection with Channon Christian and Chris Newsom's brutal murders.
Then, Coleman's attorneys argued Coleman did not take action because she was fearful of her own life.
"She attempted to put her clothes in a garbage sack and Cobbins approached her with a gun and put it to her head," Defense Attorney Ted Lavit said in Spring 2010.
Prosecutors read Coleman's grand jury testimony during the trial.
According to the testimony, Coleman saw Lemaricus Davidson, who faces the death penalty, with Channon Christian in a back bedroom.
Coleman said she saw Davidson snap Christian's neck and choke her.
A Nashville jury found Coleman guilty of facilitation of murder in Channon's death, kidnapping, multiple rapes and theft.
Coleman faced 53 years in prison. She was eligible for parole in 2026.
10News talked with Channon Christian's dad, Gary, Monday.
Gary Christian said Coleman has already faced trial and does not need a new trial.
The only reason he will attend the retrial is due to a promise he made to Channon and he also wants to sit beside his wife, Deena.
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