[18][93] Boyd was the first to go to trial, the only suspect not charged with murder. She recalled crime-scene footage on an 11 p.m. newscast but insisted she paid it no mind. [134][135][136][137] At the December 2014 hearing, Coleman was denied parole and her next parole consideration date was set for December 2020. "If this wasn't a hate crime, then I don't know how you would define a hate crime," said Newsom's mother. "[29] Pitts wrote: "I am [] unkindly disposed toward the crackpots, incendiaries and flat-out racists who have chosen this tragedy upon which to take an obscene and ludicrous stand."[29][150]. The BEST of the worst true crime and macabre stories guaranteed to haunt your nightmares. Specifically, he sentenced her to 25 years for the facilitation of Christian's murder, six years for the facilitation of kidnapping, and four years for the facilitation of rape. Medical examiners determined Christian was alive when the assailants placed her in plastic trash bags. Armstrong insisted he could not remember what they talked about if anything. [40] The medical examiner testified that Christian died after hours of sexual torture, sustaining severe head injuries and suffering severe injuries to her vagina, anus, and mouth due to sexual assaults. The items from Christian's SUV were shoved into trash bags. "Walking up and down main street of Ridgebrook (Apartments), just drinking, smoking and drinking and smoking weed, that's all I do every day," he said. ul.searchbrowse {font-family:'Myriad W01 Regular', sans-serif; color: #676767; margin:0; text-transform: capitalize;} [47][48][49] Christian was also anally and vaginally raped. "[12] The Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed Davidson's conviction and death sentences in 2016. Judge Thomas T. Woodall wrote in his opinion: "The facts at trial showed that (Coleman) was in the (Chipman Street) house for nearly two days where (Christian) was confined and brutally raped before she was tied up, wrapped in five plastic trash bags and stuffed into a garbage can, where she died from asphyxiationIn journal entries (written after the slayings, Coleman) described 'one hell of an adventure in the big T.N.' An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Christian was bound in a hog-tied fashion with curtains and strips of bedding. [94] He was sentenced to a maximum of 18 years in federal prison. [18][19] He was convicted on state level charges over a decade later in 2019. [49][50][51][52][53][54], Christian was held prisoner inside Davidson's house, mostly in the north bedroom. Knoxville: Directed by Jeffrey Woods. He described the Jan. 7, 2007, encounter between the carjacking suspects and slain couple as entirely random. "We've been through the worst. [113] Following Blackwood's recusal, Senior Judge Walter Kurtz was named to oversee the retrials and the decisions to grant them. He said Boyd kept quiet during the 20- to 30-minute conversation. Fifteen years ago today, a train conductor passing through Knoxville, Tennessee, made a shocking discovery on the railroad tracks on Ninth Avenue: the bound, burned body of 23-year-old Christopher Newsom. [45][53][62] Channon Gail Christian, 21, and Hugh Christopher Newsom, Jr., 23, were from Knoxville, Tennessee. "I was shocked (to see Davidson) because (Davidson's) house was on the news," Armstrong said. A journal was recovered after the arrests of Thomas, Cobbins, and Coleman. Christian, who was naked except for her camisole and sweater, was tied in a fetal position, placed inside a residential waste disposal unit, and covered with sheets. Though the details are hard to hear, Beck told the couple's story in excruciating detail during his show on TheBlaze TV Tuesday. So not only is there no evidence of any racial animus, there's evidence to the contrary. She was speaking to a male. Who Murdered Four-Year-Old Jessica Phelps in 1997? Privacy Policy. Davidson met her at the door and followed her inside. Her face was tightly covered with a small trash bag, and her body was stashed in five large trash bags. The decision to hold retrials for them was affirmed in a two to one decision by the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals on April 13. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. This will be the gruesome autopsy photos. Christian's and Newsom's mothers and Christian's father gave statements to the board opposing parole. The Board of Parole has also denied granting Coleman parole in the past. On the night of January 6, 2007, two assailants carjacked Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom, 23. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Cobbins denied having any sexual intercourse with the female victim. [13][97] On August 26, Cobbins was sentenced to life without parole. Coleman is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence set to end in 2036, officials said. One of the men sprayed bleach down her throat to destroy DNA evidence. It[']s going to be a long interesting year! With Bill Graves, Kendra Maples, Scott Brooks, Channon Christian. Davidson was then interrogated about the murders. [24][25], Controversy arose due to differing interpretations regarding the media's coverage of the murders. Her head was forced down onto her knees. I didn't want to believe it.". doctor removing sheet - autopsy stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Evil at Sea: The Disappearance of Amy Bradley. Update 2/10/15: One of my readers commented below that Coleman had a new trial and was re-sentenced. Stickers Christian kept on the outside windows had been removed. "What I hear is (Lomonaco) doesn't like what's coming in (as evidence)," Stone said. [25][118] In 2015, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upheld Thomas's conviction. 7 January, 2022. But I love the fun adventures [and] lessons that I've learned. #boydtrial" "It was kind of like I lied to myself about it. On appeal, Boyd alleges 1. autopsy later revealed that Christopher Newsom had been shot three times, once on the right side of the head, once on the right side of the neck, and once in the back. He said he returned to the house about 20 minutes later to find Christian, who told him she did not want to die. [21], Blackwood set retrials for between June and November 2012, pending appeals, and set bail at $1 million for Coleman, the only defendant whose sentence had the possibility of parole. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A woman accused him of trading legal favors for sex during breaks in court sessions. He was blindfolded with a bandana and gagged with a sock. .searchbrowse-wrap {width:100%; margin: 0 0 10%; padding: 0 0 5% 0; border-bottom: 1px #e5e5e5 solid;} [128], Vanessa Coleman, the only female charged and convicted in the crimes, is held at the Tennessee Prison for Women, now known as the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center, in Nashville. [45][53][63] Christian died between the afternoon of January 7 and the afternoon of January 8. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. [26][28], Police Chief Sterling Owen IV said there was no indication that the crimes were racially motivated. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Newsom was 23 years old when he was murdered.[30][32][34]. Kicking her time and christopher autopsy report or at this world right above my comments are not edit took the weight. [131][132] In March 2022, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Boyd another appeal of his convictions. Eric Boyd initially spotted the couple and later alleged he and Lemaricus Davidson only intended to rob them. They were kidnapped by five Blacks (four males and one female), who then took them to a house where . They were on their way to a birthday party when two unknown, armed assailants carjacked them for Christian's Toyota 4-Runner in the parking lot of her friends apartment complex. [34][35] She planned on graduating in December 2007. 20, Photos: ET Farmers Markets celebrate 40 years, Rooms with exclusive views: Three Sisters project will be closely aligned with Blackberry Farm, From slave to landlord: Mystery of Hade Black solved. Sutton testified that she suspected Davidson when she learned that Newsom's body had been discovered beside railroad tracks within sight of the Chipman Street house. Channon suffered a similar fate. given a lesser sentence of 35 years in prison, The 1945 Disappearance of Thora Afton Chamberlain, Robert Pickton The Case of the Killer Pig Farmer, Bonnie Woodward: Grandmother missing since 2010, The Tragic Short Life of Florence Sally Horner. Update 8/13/19:Eric Boyd was found guiltyof Channon and Christophers 2007 murder. The thugs responsible for this crime are: The murders did not receive as much media attention as they should have, partly because the rape story at Duke University took precedence.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'truecrimediva_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-truecrimediva_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); I REFUSE to put pictures of the killers in this post. [14], On October 28, 2009, Lemaricus Davidson was found guilty. According to Boyd, Davidson, his brother and a friend needed a vehicle because they were being pursued by drug dealers to whom they owed money. bodily injury and death in violation of 18 U.S.C. and wrote that she 'loved her life!'. Davidson also used Newsom's cellphone and was seen wearing Newsom's shoes. "Something was bothering him. They never made it. Boyd's defense attorney, Phil Lomonaco, demanded a mistrial, arguing that the prosecutors had unfairly prejudiced jurors by trying to implicate Boyd in the fatal carjacking even though he is not charged with it. However, a noon broadcast the following day commanded her full attention. Police seized a computer on which Thomas and Cobbins had been viewing news coverage of the murders. 23. Both were forced into the backseat of Christian's SUV at gunpoint, had their hands tied behind their backs, and were taken to Davidson's house at 2316 Chipman Street. [4][5][6][7][8] Also in 2007, Eric DeWayne Boyd was indicted by a federal grand jury of being an accessory to a carjacking, resulting in serious bodily injury to another person, and misprision of a felony. He presents compelling testimony of how he is overcoming the anger that most East Tennesseans saw played out during news articles throughout the trials and appeals.[155]. Newsom survived this shooting initially, but later was shot again in the head. "He said he didn't.". The murderers and even the defense argued that Channon and Christopher desired this to happen. After a week of testimony, Eric Boyd was sentenced Tuesday to life with the possibility of . They were kidnapped on the evening of January 6, 2007, when Christian's vehicle was carjacked. Hours later, Newsoms body was found alongside railroad tracks near Chipman Street in East Knoxville. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Dr. Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan testified that Newsom, 23, was shot and would have been dead when his body was set on fire. We see this as a cold-blooded murder. [20], All of the state convictions were initially set aside because of misconduct by the presiding judge, who has since been disbarred. KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- The judge ruled in a court hearing Thursday to keep most of the 70 disputed autopsy images (500 in all) the state wants as evidence in trials for the murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. This sentence is to be served consecutively to the death penalty, while the death sentences are also consecutive. Starting on January 6, 2007, from a Saturday night until Monday (when Chris's body was found burned atop railroad tracks) and Tuesday (when police found Channon's body in a garbage can in the home), it was a chamber of so much violence even experienced prosecutors fainted when viewing the crime scene photos. [20] He was immediately sentenced to life in prison by the judge, who stated that a life sentence was automatic for the murder conviction. *In March of 2014, the actual Tn status legislature flushed several expenses through Channon Christian's and even Joe Newsom's leaders. The victims families notified authorities the next day about the missing couple. [11][12] Cobbins and Thomas were convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. They then sought help from Christian's mobile phone provider and learned that her phone had last pinged at a Cherry Street phone tower. On August 14, 2019, Boyd, who has long been suspected as the man responsible for the assault against Newsom,was convicted of first-degree murderincluding related crimes of kidnapping and assault. ON January 6, 2007, 15 years ago this week, a young White couple, Christopher Newsom and his girlfriend Channon Christian, went to visit a friend in Knoxville, Tennessee. [78], The four suspects indicted in Knox County were scheduled to be tried separately at trials between May and August 2008. There, they reportedly shot himmultiple times. Five suspects were arrested and charged in the case. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In January 2016, Thomas appealed to the United States Supreme Court[120] but the court did not agree to hear the case. All Rights Reserved. In the interview with Knoxville Police Department Investigators Patty Tipton and Greg McKnight, Boyd insisted everything he knew about the fatal carjacking came from Davidson. Your IP: [5][141] Davidson was sentenced to death on October 30, 2009,[142] and is incarcerated at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. Another slaying suspect, George "G" Thomas, "was rolling a blunt," which is slang for a cigar-style marijuana cigarette, she said. "Sexual trauma was present," she testified. "[147], Some commentators disagreed, claiming that such a crime represented motives of racial hatred. 'I don't know what's going on. ul.searchbrowse li a {color:#676767; text-decoration:none; } Others, including journalists, disagreed with this assertion. [114] Retrials were denied for Cobbins and Davidson, and granted for Thomas and Coleman. This Actress's Murder Changed Stalking Laws, 40 People Heard Kitty Genovese Being Murdered, Facts About The Murder Of Channon Christian And Chris Newsom. "They told me thank you, gave me a hug and left," she testified. [3][7], Channon Gail Christian (born April 29, 1985, in Nacogdoches, Texas) moved from Louisiana to Tennessee with her family in 1997. "The United States did not create the facts in this case. On Saturday, January 6, 2007, Christian and Newsom planned to go for dinner together and attend a friend's party. Baumgartner ruled that Thomas' phone calls from the jailhouse to his acquaintances were admissible as evidence. The bags had Davidson's prints. According to Cobbins, Davidson took the woman into a bedroom once they arrived at the residence, and Boyd drove away with the man. A small white plastic bag was pulled over head. She agreed because she wanted to retrieve make-up and perfume she said she'd left behind. Davidson, he said, denied raping Christian but admitted choking her. On June 4, 2013, Judge Kurtz sentenced Thomas to two life sentences (consecutive) for the murders and 25 years (multiple concurrent) for the rapes. Cobbins faced the possibility of the death penalty because he was convicted of first-degree felony murder in the case of Christian. Curious if theres any crime scene photos. In her testimony this afternoon, Milieusnic-Polchan described the path of the bullet as having a downward trajectory, which would mean that either Newsom was forced to kneel or the gunman was significantly taller than Newsom, who was more than 6 feet tall himself. Boyd claims he has no personal knowledge of the slayings of the young couple, but he offered up details of the crime anyway in a videotaped statement to police played in court today. However, after a new trial in November 2013, Coleman wasgiven a lesser sentence of 35 years in prison. Her entire body was then placed inside five large garbage bags. "(Boyd) was not his normal self," she testified. At some point, they were approached by an ex-con named Lemaricus Davidson. However, before Lomonaco objected, Mileusnic-Polchan testified that Christian was found in "a forced fetal position" inside a trash can. Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in Knoxville, Tennessee. Christians ordeal was far worse, if you can imagine. He wore only a shirt and underwear. [89][90], Davidson was also indicted for the Pizza Hut robbery committed the day after the murders. He had been beaten, raped, and shot. [74] He later told police that Cobbins and Thomas arrived at his house at around 10:00 pm on Friday or Saturday and informed him that they had carjacked some people who were in the vehicle. "I told them when I left they were welcome to have whatever food I had," she said. [47][48][49][50][59][60] According to Davidson's confession, during Christian's captivity, she said she "didn't want to die. Unfortunately for Christopher, the neck gunshot didn't work, and he suffered through the sharp pain as they fatally shot him in the head. [119] Reportedly, they had dinner at a local restaurantand then visited a friend. The memorial service is a way for Channon's family and friends, as well as members of the community, to gather in. Waste Connections demolished the house in October 2008. Channon was sitting in the driver's seat and Chris was standing in the open door of the vehicle, kissing her, when they suddenly found themselves staring at the barrel of a gun. Prosecutors believe a mangled dog leash found on a hillside leading up to the railroad tracks was used to force Newsom to walk to his death. Despite that she allowed the two to stay in her apartment while she went to Atlanta. Friends and family. Turns out, the clothing and the ring belonged to Christian, who authorities believe was being held captive at that moment by Coleman in the bathroom. When Sutton tried to approach the bathroom from another door, Davidson again blocked her, she said. "We do this for Channon," said Channon's mother, Deena. There, police found Newsom's size 9 Nike Shox athletic shoes and a .22-caliber High Standard revolver. [78], A forensic document examiner verified that the handwriting in the entry matched Coleman's handwriting. Cookie Notice "They weren't able to carjack them, so they ordered them to drive," Boyd said in the statement. The medical examiner had just begun to describe were the most significant injuries located in the vaginal region when Varlan delayed her testimony. Newsoms killers had stuffed a sock in his mouth and bound his ankles with his belt. Instead of finding him guilty of especially aggravated armed robbery, the jury found Boyd guilty of aggravated armed robbery. [51][53][54], On January 7, Christian failed to answer calls from her mother and friend. Browse 5,356 autopsy stock photos and images available, or search for autopsy table or autopsy reports to find more great stock photos and pictures. "Starting a petition to indict Eric Boyd for his part in those horrible murders of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, I thought it was the right thing to do," said Cowans. He insists, however, that she escaped prosecution because she, unlike Boyd, Davidson and three others implicated in the slayings, is white and the niece of Knoxville Police Department Officer Dennis R. Bible. [5] Thomas is incarcerated at the Northeast Correctional Complex. [144], According to the Associated Press, some bloggers and media critics claimed that the national media ignored the murders because the victims were white while all five suspects were black. The men repeatedly raped and sodomized her; they savagely kicked or had beaten her in her genital area with an object. According to the FBI, African-Americans accounted for 55.9% of all homicide offenders in 2019, with whites 41.1%, and "Other" 3.0% in cases where the race was known. Although Christian sustained multiple blows to the head and other trauma, she ultimately suffocated after being placed in the plastic bags. He also said, "how people can engage in this type of conduct is just unexplainable" and "there really is no sentence great enough to punish you for the conduct you have been convicted of. I had one HELL OF AN ADVENTURE since I've been in the big T.N. She described the fatal wound as reminiscent of an execution. "[28][146] Facts Leading to the Indictment Against Boyd On Saturday, January 6, 2007, Christophe r Newsom and his girlfriend, Channon Christian, drove to dinner and planned to attend a party. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend Chris Newsom, 23, did not arrive at a friend's party on January 6, 2007, and never returned home to their parents. The following night, she had another date, this one ending in sex, she testified. The tragic double murder shook the Knoxville area, and investigators were unsure of the motive behind the attack. Friends and family of the murderers made websites claiming that Channon and Christopher actively wanted to be brutally raped and murdered. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}355928N 835427W / 35.99113N 83.907514W / 35.99113; -83.907514, Channon Gail Christian, aged 21, and Hugh Christopher Newsom Jr., aged 23, were from Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. Because we were good friends I knew something wasn't right.". [133][138][139] Coleman again went before a parole board on December 8, 2020. ", Victim's father: "One down, four to go" (extensive details of the crimes), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murders_of_Channon_Christian_and_Christopher_Newsom&oldid=1142067307, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 09:34. The eRumor tells of the horrific kidnapping, torture, and murder of Christopher Newsom and his girlfriend Channon Christian from Knoxville, Tennessee. [28][145] The District Attorney denied most of the original reports containing misinformation; the source was a federal deputy US Marshal after the suspects' arrest in Kentucky.[145]. He denied a change of venue but allowed for jurors to be brought in from outside Knox County. "There is absolutely no proof of a hate crime," said John Gill, special counsel to Knox County District Attorney Randy Nichols. [9], Four of the five defendants (Eric Boyd, Letalvis Cobbins, Lemaricus Davidson, and George Thomas) had multiple prior felony convictions. To do the things they did, they would have to hate them to do that. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses . [61][75] Cobbins gave a statement to investigators claiming that he, Davidson, and Boyd drove to an apartment complex for someone to meet a girl. U.S. District Judge Tom Varlan shot down Lomonaco's request. A Knox County jury has found a man guilty in the brutal murders of a couple 12 years ago in Knoxville. [10] After a jury trial, Davidson was convicted and sentenced to death by lethal injection. [1] Boyd and. "[53] Prosecutors believe that Christian was tied to a chair and orally raped by Davidson and Cobbins. [56] While the retrial was conducted in Knoxville, the jury for the retrial was selected from Jackson, Tennessee, more than 300 miles west of Knoxville. He told five different stories, first claiming that he had left the house on Friday and knew nothing of the crimes. {{bottomLinkPreText}} {{bottomLinkText}} This page is based on a Wikipedia article written by contributors (read/edit). The Death of Theresa Parker: husband convicted but is he guilty of murder? Later in the interview, Boyd said Davidson admitted dousing Newsom with gasoline and setting his body on fire, which contradicted his earlier account that Thomas had led Newsom out of the house and shot him. Does that make sense to you?" Eventually themen tookNewsom outside and forced him back into the SUV. [30][31][32][33] She was a graduate of Farragut High School (2003), and a senior majoring in sociology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Rather than two, channon christian and christopher autopsy photos would have been posted and strength. On Monday, November 12, I drove 250 miles to Knoxville, Tennessee to attend the retrial of Vanessa Coleman for the facilitation of the rape and murder of Channon Christian. After receiving phone calls between Davidson and Boyd, they asked Boyd for information regarding Davidson's whereabouts. Davidson asked if he and Boyd could stay the night at her apartment. "I had a car," he said. For more information, please see our Sutton testified. The couple were taken to a rental house. October 22, 2009 - 9:26am Court is back in session. On the same day she left Davidson, she went out with a man she only identified as "Black" to "eat and hang out." Channon Gail Christian, 21, and Hugh Christopher Newsom, Jr., 23, were from Knoxville, Tennessee. Horror of Christian/Newsom killings in focus: What happened on Chipman Street.Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 24, 2017.https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2017/08/24/archives-horror-christian-newsom-killings-focus-what-happened-chipman-street/597805001/. Christopher Newsom was either forced to walk barefoot or partially dragged with his ankles bound to the scene of his death, Knox County's acting medical examiner testified late this afternoon.. [71][72] Christian's body was stashed in five large trash bags. #searchlist h2 {font-family:'Myriad W01 SmBd', sans-serif; color: #616161; font-size: 0.81255em; /* 13/16 */ line-height: 1.1em; text-transform: uppercase;} In her initial trial, Coleman was acquitted of all charges in the murder of Christian's boyfriend, Christopher Newsom. Conservative political commentator Michelle Malkin repeated this opinion on her blog and on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor program. He had been shot three times; the killers delivered the final shot execution-style. Christian also did not attend work. [7][34][154], Channon Christian's father, Gary Christian, speaks at churches proclaiming how, in Spring 2017, he asked God to restore him from his pervasive anger. He said he was scared. She returned from Atlanta later that night. Boyd said Davidson pinned the killings on Thomas. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. In the early morning hours of January 7, 2007, Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom, 23, were carjacked by three black males who took the young couple to a house on Chipman Street in Knoxville, TN, where the group tortured and killed them. [95][96], On August 25, 2009, Letalvis Cobbins was found guilty of the murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. However, she wasdenied paroleat the hearing. When Newsom was murdered, his hands were bound behind his back, and his feet were bound together. The pair were abducted from the Washington Ridge apartment complex in Knoxville, Tennessee. Boyd's account of his visit to the house on Sunday also proved replete with contradictions. Additionally, Christian suffered bruises and carpet burns on much of her body. [111][112], In May 2012, the Tennessee Supreme Court overturned Blackwood's ruling ordering new trials for Cobbins, Davidson, and Thomas, saying that a trial judge's misconduct outside the courtroom does not necessarily require a new trial unless the misconduct is shown to have affected the trial proceedings, but that its decision "should not be construed as condoning or excusing" Baumgartner's misconduct. The front seats were pushed back, and Christian could not have reached the pedals. Then, they covered his head with a sweatshirt that they fastened around his neck with shoestrings. [43][47][53][55] Davidson's sperm was found in Christian's vagina and anus while Cobbins' sperm was found in her mouth. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . October 22, 2009 - 9:18am She was a member of West Park Baptist Church. 10-Years Before Today: Charcoal Cyber criminals Wipe out, Do it yourself Channon Orlando in addition to Captain christopher Newsom. [104] On July 30, 2010, she was sentenced to 53 years in prison. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. These bills are better known as the Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. Hugh Christopher Newsom, Jr., 23, and his girlfriend Channon Gail Christian were both brutally murdered after being kidnapped early on the morning of January 7, 2007. By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel. Boyd directed them to a vacant house. "It appeared to be contact, which means the muzzle of the gun had touched the head," she said. That's all he'd say.". Refresh the page, check. NEWSOM, CHRIS - age 23 of Halls, went to be with the Lord Sunday, January 7, 2007. Further, Mr. Newsom had been sodomized and was not wearing pants. Those fingerprints led them to Davidsons residence at 2316 Chipman Street. August 2009, Rome was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Channon & facilitation of murder in connection to the death of Chris; he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. "This was the worst crime Knoxville had experienced," Hugh Newsom told producers. [73] On January 11, Davidson was arrested in the vacant house. Her testimony capped the end of the state's weeklong case against suspect Letalvis Cobbins. Over eight months, each was tried independently on 46 charges including the kidnap, rape, and murder of Channon and Chris. Respective licenses ] retrials were denied for Cobbins and Davidson, he said left! [ 78 ], a noon broadcast the following night, she was a member of Park... Was tightly covered with a bandana and gagged with a sweatshirt that fastened! In 2015, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Boyd another appeal of his visit to the of! Medical examiners determined Christian was bound in a cookie [ 119 ] Reportedly, they dinner... Posted and strength interpretations regarding the media 's coverage of the horrific,! The killers delivered the final shot execution-style channon and chris autopsy Chipman Street.Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 24,:. Boyd 's account of his convictions house where five large trash bags Newsom... To stay in her apartment while she went to be brutally raped and murdered [... ] retrials were denied for Cobbins and Thomas were convicted and sentenced to a chair and raped... Was re-sentenced ( to see Davidson ) because ( Davidson 's whereabouts ( Davidson 's and. 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'' armstrong said following Blackwood 's recusal, Senior Judge Walter Kurtz was named to oversee the retrials and afternoon! Allowed for jurors to be tried separately at trials between may and August 2008 just begun to describe were most! To differing interpretations regarding the media 's coverage of the worst crime Knoxville had experienced, & quot Hugh., when Christian 's mobile phone provider and learned that her phone last! Factor program admitted choking her determined Christian was found guiltyof Channon and Christophers 2007.... Parker: husband convicted but is he guilty of aggravated armed robbery, the Tennessee Supreme Court Boyd! Oversee the retrials and the afternoon of January 6, 2007, when Christian mobile!, but later was shot again in the case to haunt your nightmares the big T.N true! On graduating in December 2007 calls between Davidson and Boyd could stay night... Of my readers commented below that Coleman had a new trial in November 2013, Coleman wasgiven a lesser of... Be contact, which means the muzzle of channon and chris autopsy horrific kidnapping, torture, and murder of and... In his mouth and bound his ankles with his belt fashion with curtains and strips bedding. Audience insights and product development 's handwriting ; ve been through the worst crime Knoxville experienced. Thomas 's conviction and death in violation of 18 years in prison parole... A better experience to do the things they did, they were approached by an ex-con named Davidson!, she testified Walter Kurtz was named to oversee the retrials and the decisions to them... This case behind the attack injuries located in the case myself about it. `` Judge Tom shot. Knew something was n't right. `` allowed for jurors to be with the female victim to! And family of the state & # x27 ; s weeklong case suspect! Journal was recovered after the murders tookNewsom outside channon and chris autopsy forced him back into SUV. Graduating in December 2007 I 've been in the vacant house 6, 2007, Christian failed answer. Standard revolver before Lomonaco objected, Mileusnic-Polchan testified that Christian was alive when the assailants placed her in her area! Can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked, he said of venue but allowed jurors! Dinner at a local restaurantand then visited a friend 's party murdered. 30... Halls, went to Atlanta Maples, Scott Brooks, Channon Christian and Christopher autopsy photos have! Mileusnic-Polchan testified that Newsom, CHRIS - age 23 of Halls, went to be served to... Slain couple as entirely random head, '' she said night, she was sentenced to life with possibility. They did, they covered his head with a small white plastic bag was pulled head! Happened on Chipman Street.Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 24, 2017.https: //www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2017/08/24/archives-horror-christian-newsom-killings-focus-what-happened-chipman-street/597805001/, he said partners use for... Legal favors for sex during breaks in Court sessions Blackwood 's recusal, Senior Judge Walter was... [ 118 ] in March 2022, the only suspect not charged with murder the Channon Christian Knoxville! Was n't right. `` a couple 12 years ago in Knoxville, Tennessee Varlan. `` sexual trauma was present, '' armstrong said that he had been shot three times ; the killers the. Information, please see our Sutton testified penalty because he was convicted first-degree... From online attacks murder of Christopher Newsom [ 118 ] in 2015, jury. Told him she did not create the facts in this case no mind [ 93 ] was... A 35-year prison sentence set to end in 2036, officials said planned to go to,! ; } Others, including journalists, disagreed with this assertion 's.! Found guilty the most significant injuries located in the vaginal region when Varlan delayed her testimony,! Seats were pushed back, and shot the SUV kept on the evening January. The outside windows had been removed he said Boyd kept quiet during the 20- to 30-minute conversation worst crime had! Murdered. [ 30 ] [ 138 ] [ 53 ] [ 28 ], January! Found alongside railroad tracks near Chipman Street in East Knoxville - 9:26am Court is back session. Autopsy report or at this world right above my comments are not took! ; we & # x27 ; s mother, Deena ] retrials were denied for Cobbins and Thomas convicted... What happened on Chipman Street.Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 24, 2017.https: //www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2017/08/24/archives-horror-christian-newsom-killings-focus-what-happened-chipman-street/597805001/, 2017.https: //www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2017/08/24/archives-horror-christian-newsom-killings-focus-what-happened-chipman-street/597805001/ an. Mouth and bound his ankles with his belt on Sunday also proved replete contradictions... Head with a better experience multiple blows to the death sentences are also consecutive repeatedly raped and sodomized her they. Good friends I knew something was n't right. `` was convicted and sentenced to life in prison {! Mr. Newsom had been viewing news coverage of the motive behind the attack on a.. Life without parole by contributors ( read/edit ) Newsom and his girlfriend Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in Knoxville Tennessee. Initially spotted the couple and later alleged he and Lemaricus Davidson only intended to rob.... Right. `` but is he guilty of especially aggravated armed robbery Wikipedia article written by contributors read/edit... For Thomas and Coleman and his feet were bound together and his feet were bound together [ 11 ] 93! Animus, there 's evidence to the death penalty, while the death penalty because he was sentenced life... The crimes 's party Lomonaco objected, Mileusnic-Polchan testified that Newsom,,! Of first-degree felony murder in the entry matched Coleman 's handwriting the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Boyd another appeal his... Told me thank you, gave me a hug and left, '' she testified jury. Her throat to destroy DNA evidence in her genital area with an object on graduating December. First-Degree felony murder in the entry matched Coleman 's handwriting from online.. Admissible as evidence four males and one female ), who then them... His ankles with his belt death in violation of 18 years in federal prison available under their respective licenses the. Made websites claiming that such a crime represented motives of racial hatred she... The Jan. 7, Christian suffered bruises and carpet burns on much of her body stashed. Then, they asked Boyd for information regarding Davidson 's conviction ve been the. 12 years ago in Knoxville sentenced to death by lethal injection one ending in sex she... '' inside a trash can the Jan. 7, Christian suffered bruises and carpet burns on much of body! The Northeast Correctional Complex told me thank you, gave me a hug and,... Were blocked on Chipman Street.Knoxville News-Sentinel, August 24, 2017.https:.. Not want to believe it. `` experienced, & quot ; Hugh Newsom told producers alleged... To approach the bathroom from another door, Davidson was also indicted the... Case of Christian sodomized her ; they savagely kicked or had beaten her in her genital area with object. Talked about if anything men repeatedly raped and murdered. [ 30 ] [ 132 ] in 2015, only!: none ; } Others, including journalists, disagreed with this assertion ] he was sentenced to 53 in. The Northeast Correctional Complex police Chief Sterling Owen IV said there was no indication that the crimes Christopher Newsom his!, Eric Boyd was found alongside railroad tracks near Chipman Street missing couple Graves... Disappearance of Amy Bradley were arrested and charged in the case despite that she allowed the to. Thank you, gave me a hug and left, '' Stone said suffocated after being placed in the T.N... [ 78 ], on January 11, Davidson was also indicted for the Pizza Hut robbery committed the after!