.I've become totally immersed in the case of the rape, torture and murder of two young college students, Channon Christian and Chris Newsom on January 6/7, 2007. This is probably the most heinous, hate-filled, deviant crime I have ever heard of. My heart goes out to the families of Chris and Channon.
.Unbelievably, I don't recall ever hearing about the crimes at the time, even though it sparked racial tensions in Knoxville, Tennessee because the victims where white, middle-class students and the alleged perpetrators are black. Certain groups in that vicinity challenged the idea of Channon and Chris as victims, claiming it was a just crime, part of reparations of past slavery, yadda yadda, racist garbage.
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There seems to have been a lot of pressure to keep the extent of the crime out of the scope of the national media, from both law enforcement and the victims' families, who were trying to keep media coverage at a minimum to salvage what dignity they could for their children in death. The attacks against Channon and Chris were savage, despicable and worse than cruel.
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Captured within a few days, all of the suspects turned on each other pointing fingers. The group seemed to take sides: Davidson and Boyd backing each other accusing Cobbins, Thomas, and Coleman and vice versa--Cobbins, Thomas and Coleman left for Kentucky and claimed to have been victims themselves--held there against their will. While Davidson and Cobbins are half-brothers, in this case blood is apparently not thicker than water.
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In 2008, Eric "E" Dewayne Boyd, asked for a speedy trial, was charged and convicted of 'accessory to carjacking' and 'aiding and abetting' in federal court and sentenced to 18 years in federal prison. It is mind boggling that he was not charged with AT LEAST accessory to rape, kidnap and murder as well. His DNA was not found on either bodies. When stopped on the streets he led the police right to Davidson. Although he looks quite stupid, he was smart enough to know that first to talk gets the best deal--guess it's true. I think his involvement is MUCH more than his charges. There is no statute of limitations on murder, I don't know what they are on the other charges. They know where he is for at least the next 17 years.
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The four people charged with the murders are now being tried by the state of Tennessee. They are as follows:
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Latalvis Cobbins: sentenced on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 to life in prison with out parole, being found guilty of 30 some counts. Boyfriend of Vanessa Coleman, buddy to Geo Thomas. Half brother of Lemaricus Davidson.
.Lemaricus Davidson: tomorrow, August 31, court will continue trying to seat a jury. Charged with 40 some counts (numbers may be off, but I'm tired, sorry), car-jacking, kidnapping, rape, murder, numerous counts of each. Buddy to Eric Boyd. Half-brother to Cobbins.
.next up: George Thomas due for trial in October,
.Vanessa Coleman trial set for November.
.Here are a bunch of links. I hope you will read the story and join me to pray for the victims families. Once the trial in underway this week I'm hoping to cover Davidson's trial closely now that I know what happened.
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