Judge sets new hearing on motion to recuse in Christian-Newsom caseBy 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.
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