Video: Judge orders new trials in Christian-Newsom murders

WVLT ^ | 6:28 PM Dec 1, 2011 | WVLT

[DetroitRight]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.(WVLT) -- The four people convicted of the torture and killing of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom will stand trial again. Saying he feels sorry for the families and all they've been through, Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood granted the defendants' motion for new trials Thursday afternoon following a two-hour description of Judge Richard Baumgartner's alleged drug activities, citing "structural errors" in the trials.

Hearings for the new trials are set for January 12 at 9:30 a.m.

Baumgartner, who presided over all of the cases, lost his license earlier this year after pleading guilty to drug charges. "I don't know whether you call it judicial corruption, stupidity, or arrogance," Blackwood said after laying out the allegations against Baumgartner. "I call it committing a crime."

"Baumgartner had a choice," he declared. "He chose pill taking."

Letalvis Cobbins, LeMaricus Davidson, George Thomas and Vanessa Coleman were convicted separately for their involvement in the carjacking, raping, torture, and killing of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom four years ago.

Blackwood said that without any doubt Baumgartner knew he was addicted, at least since 2008. Reports presented by the judge during the hearing indicated Baumgartner would receive dozens of hydrocodone every few days and was visiting several doctors. One woman claimed she would provide the former judge with 30 pills a week and had sex with him several times in Baumgartner's office.

[DetroitRight]

UNREAL! Where is Michelle Malkin and all the right on this one?

[DetroitRight]

whoops! forgot to click excerpt. Sorry. :(

[matthew fuller]

Hopefully, the four animals will all receive the death penalty this time. And maybe the judge can be prosecuted for something.

[zipper]

Channon’s dad took the first trial really hard — he is a suicide risk. I don’t think he can make it through anther trial.

The things these thugs did to this couple make it impossible to believe it was motivated by anything other than absolute hate.

[zipper]

Three out of four can’t get death, since they didn’t get it the first time.

But they could all get less.

[matthew fuller]

"Three out of four can’t get death, since they didn’t get it the first time."

Why not? It's a new trial. I'm not a lawyer, but I have heard of this happening when a case was appealed. ( Not a death penalty, but a stiffer sentence).

[zipper]

This isn’t an appeal. They were acquitted of a death penalty eligible charge before — it would be double jeopardy.

Nothing good can come out of a retrial, but plenty of bad things could happen.

[cva66snipe]

Yea it's just not right. The judge got off with a slap on the wrist. The parents get for more trials from hell where their kids are put on trial rather than the cold blooded thugs. I can't think of any cold blooded killers from the past 20 years put too death yet. Lillylid killers all still alive {some were juvies}, The Romines killers {ax murder and torture of a mother and daughter}, The Job Corp Killing {Pentagram carved in victims skull}, Zoo Man, just too name a few.

[cricket]

This is what we get; raised in a 'non-judgmental' world. The egalitarian playing field where evil; stands toe-to-toe, with good. And Jury's become no more than a formality of Justice or rather, Justice denied.

Beyond the Judge taking pills; why cannot it just be said that 'nonetheless' these perps; by and large; got better than they deserved; and so, this case does not warrant; a redo. . .

Pity these long-suffering families and the enhanced torture they will endure; on behalf of this decision.

[matthew fuller]

"This isn’t an appeal. They were acquitted of a death penalty eligible charge before "

It was/is a defendant's motion, and they were granted a new trial. I believe that it's just like they were never tried- the previous trial is thrown out. But they were NOT acquitted, they were all convicted. I bet that they will be eligible for the death penalty, if the DA chooses to go for it. I don't know if he did before for all four. But I'm not a lawyer, and even different states might have different rules on this.

[sheik yerbouty]

Let the punishment fit the crime.

[Eagles6]

Prayers for the Christians and Newsoms. They will be dragged through hell again.

[fr_freak]

Channon’s dad took the first trial really hard — he is a suicide risk.

Well, if I were contemplating suicide, I'd take a certain four sons of bitches with me.

[fortheDeclaration]

Yet another crime committed against the families.

[fortheDeclaration]

I doubt the results will be different, this is too a horrendous a crime.

[zipper]

No, three of the four were NOT convicted on a death penalty charge, so they can’t get the death penalty this time (considered double jeapardy).

I don’t like it either, but that’s the way it is.

[liberalh8ter]

This is wrong. Despite what the judge did in his spare time, if there had been procedural errors the defense attorneys would have immediately filed motions citing them rather than responding to the news the judge was thrown off the bench. The fact the judge was acting illegally outside the courtroom should not nullify the jury. Holder’s people should NOT get new trials.

[Popman]

"The jury wasn't on drugs, you know, we were the ones that made the decision. All he did was read what we handed him and that said that he was guilty and that we was giving him the death penalty. It didn't say, you read it and you decide for yourself. I mean, we were the ones that decided, not the judge."

Former Juror Darryl Avans

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/194096/2/Knox-DAs-office-considering-appeal-of-new-Christian-Newsom-trials

The guy makes a great point....

[Popman]

"The jury wasn't on drugs, you know, we were the ones that made the decision. All he did was read what we handed him and that said that he was guilty and that we was giving him the death penalty. It didn't say, you read it and you decide for yourself. I mean, we were the ones that decided, not the judge."

Former Juror Darryl Avans

http://www.wbir.com/news/article/194096/2/Knox-DAs-office-considering-appeal-of-new-Christian-Newsom-trials

The guy makes a great point....