The Murders of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom

Limits set if alleged ringleader testifies in Christian, Newsom torture-slaying case
knoxnews.com
By Matt Lakin
September 8, 2009

KNOXVILLE - If Lemaricus Davidson takes the stand at his trial for carjacking and murder, jurors won't hear about his previous carjacking conviction.

The families of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom left court angry today after a judge ruled prosecutors can't challenge Davidson, charged in both their deaths, with a 2001 carjacking conviction if he chooses to testify - although an armed robbery conviction in the same case remains fair game...

Prosecutors say Davidson and three others - including his half-brother Letalvis Cobbins, sentenced to life in prison last month for murder - kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed Christian, 21, and Newsom, 23, after carjacking them outside a North Knoxville apartment complex in January 2007 while the couple was on a date.

...Knox Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner ruled prosecutors can bring up the conviction for robbery but not for carjacking. "The crime that concerns me most in terms of the jury being prejudiced in this case is the crime of carjacking," he said. "That's what starts the whole round of events in this case."

Plans call for jury selection in Davidson's trial to begin Sept. 21.

Vanessa Coleman, has been taken out of the trial lineup so she can appeal whether she should be immune from prosecution because of an agreement inked by federal prosecutors in a related carjacking probe.

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Prior carjack conviction out in Davidson case
knoxnews.com
By Matt Lakin
Posted September 9, 2009 at midnight

...Davidson had just left prison for aggravated robbery and carjacking in Madison County in West Tennessee when the carjacking happened. Knox County prosecutors Takisha Fitzgerald and Leland Price had indicated they planned to bring up both convictions if he testified.

Defense lawyer David Eldridge said his client's criminal record might prejudice jurors in a case that's already received wide publicity.

"It invites the jury to convict Mr. Davidson for the wrong reason," Eldridge said.
Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner ruled prosecutors can bring up the conviction for robbery but not for carjacking.

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