After convicting George Thomas in connection with the murder of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, the jury in the George Thomas re-trial meted out two life sentences with the possibility of parole.
On June 4, Judge Walter Kurtz stacked those two life sentences and added on another 25 years for the rape conviction, leaving Thomas to serve approximately 120 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
[Thomas' first conviction in the Christian-Newsom case was thrown out and a re-trial granted when the presiding Judge, Richard Baumgartner, was charged in connection with a pill scandal. Baumgartner made a plea deal in state court and resigned but was later convicted in federal court of lying to investigators.]
During Tuesday's sentencing, Kurtz expressed dismay at the extreme violence and "gratuitous depravity" shown in commission of the crimes. He also noted the unimaginable suffering that the victims endured in the last hours of their life.
Kurtz then "stacked" the two life sentences with parole that the jury had meted out and tacked on another 25 years for the rapes of both victims, effectively ensuring that Thomas will never live to apply for "parole."
Showing posts with label Channon Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Channon Christian. Show all posts
Friday, June 07, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
May 30, 2013 Former Knox Judge Richard Baumgartner Reports to Federal Prison
Disgraced Knox County Judge Criminal Judge Richard Baumgartner has reported to a minimum security federal prison in West Virginia to serve a six-month sentence following his conviction in federal court for lying to investigators to cover up pill-buys from his mistress.
The News-Sentinel story is here.
Baumgartner presided over a series of trials in connection with the carjacking, torture, rape, and murder of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom. State charges were brought when the TBI came in and investigated his pill-usage and purchases from his mistress Deena Castleman who was a "graduate" of the Drug Court established by Baumgartner.
Baumgartner negotiated a plea deal on the state charges where he pled guilty to official misconduct, resigned from the bench, and received diversion.
Federal charges were then brought and Baumgartner was convicted in federal court of misprision. He is appealing that conviction but elected to go on and serve his sentence while the appeals process moves forward.
In a related story, former DA Al Schmutzer expressed relief over the recent conviction of George Thomas following his re-trial in the Christian-Newsom case. Schmutzer was not involved in the Christian-Newsom trials but acted as the special prosecutor in the state case against Baumgartner and negotiated a plea deal where Baumgartner would resign from the bench, plea guilty to official misconduct, and receive diversion which would allow his record to be wiped clean if his record remained out of trouble for two years. The interview with Schmutzer is here.
Previous blog posts and links to stories about Baumgartner are here.
The News-Sentinel story is here.
Baumgartner presided over a series of trials in connection with the carjacking, torture, rape, and murder of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom. State charges were brought when the TBI came in and investigated his pill-usage and purchases from his mistress Deena Castleman who was a "graduate" of the Drug Court established by Baumgartner.
Baumgartner negotiated a plea deal on the state charges where he pled guilty to official misconduct, resigned from the bench, and received diversion.
Federal charges were then brought and Baumgartner was convicted in federal court of misprision. He is appealing that conviction but elected to go on and serve his sentence while the appeals process moves forward.
In a related story, former DA Al Schmutzer expressed relief over the recent conviction of George Thomas following his re-trial in the Christian-Newsom case. Schmutzer was not involved in the Christian-Newsom trials but acted as the special prosecutor in the state case against Baumgartner and negotiated a plea deal where Baumgartner would resign from the bench, plea guilty to official misconduct, and receive diversion which would allow his record to be wiped clean if his record remained out of trouble for two years. The interview with Schmutzer is here.
Previous blog posts and links to stories about Baumgartner are here.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
May 21, 2013 George Thomas Convicted in Christian-Newsom Re-trial
George Thomas got a re-trial in the Christian-Newsom carjacking, kidnapping, torture, rape, and murder case.
And he was convicted again on multiple counts and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
The NS story is here.
There is also an article in yesterday's NS providing a re-cap of this six-year saga with the unbelievable horror of the crimes, the trials, the pill-popping Judge, and the re-trials. Click here.
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And he was convicted again on multiple counts and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
The NS story is here.
There is also an article in yesterday's NS providing a re-cap of this six-year saga with the unbelievable horror of the crimes, the trials, the pill-popping Judge, and the re-trials. Click here.
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Saturday, February 02, 2013
February 2, 2013 Coleman Gets 35 Years
Vanessa Coleman was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in prison for her role in the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Channon Christian. The News-Sentinel story is here.
Coleman was convicted in November in a re-trial that was ordered due to drug activity by the Judge--Richard Baumgartner--who had presided at the first trial.
[Baumgartner resigned and was convicted of official misconduct in state court and received diversion which allowed him to keep his state pension. Later, federal charges were brought, resulting in a conviction and loss of the state pension. Baumgartner is still fighting to keep his pension. ]
Coleman was convicted in November in a re-trial that was ordered due to drug activity by the Judge--Richard Baumgartner--who had presided at the first trial.
[Baumgartner resigned and was convicted of official misconduct in state court and received diversion which allowed him to keep his state pension. Later, federal charges were brought, resulting in a conviction and loss of the state pension. Baumgartner is still fighting to keep his pension. ]
Saturday, January 19, 2013
January 19, 2013 No New Trials for Lemaricus Davidson and Letalvis Cobbins in the Christian-Newsom Murders
Convicted murderers Lemaricus Davidson and Letalvis Cobbins wanted new trials following their convictions in the brutal murders of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom in 2007. Judge Walter Kurtz said "no." Witnesses and DNA evidence linked Davidson and Cobbins to the crimes. Kurtz affirmed the Davidson and Cobbins convictions acting as Tennessee's "thirteenth juror."
George Thomas, another defendant in the horrific crimes against Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, also sought a new trial. Judge Walter Kurtz said "yes." While there was witness testimony linking Thomas to the crimes, there was no DNA evidence.
Witness credibility was the overriding issue in Thomas' case. Kurtz, who did not preside over the original trials, did not see the witnesses and thus could not rule on witness credibility and ruled that he could not act as Tennessee's "thirteenth juror" and affirm Thomas' conviction.
The NS article is here.
Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner presided over the original trials. Baumgartner was found to have been popping pills during the trials and using a graduate of the Drug Court that Baumgartner himself founded to supply him with pills.
The Baumgartner saga that precipitated the post-conviction chaos is here with links to blog entries and newspaper articles.
George Thomas, another defendant in the horrific crimes against Channon Christian and Chris Newsom, also sought a new trial. Judge Walter Kurtz said "yes." While there was witness testimony linking Thomas to the crimes, there was no DNA evidence.
Witness credibility was the overriding issue in Thomas' case. Kurtz, who did not preside over the original trials, did not see the witnesses and thus could not rule on witness credibility and ruled that he could not act as Tennessee's "thirteenth juror" and affirm Thomas' conviction.
The NS article is here.
Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner presided over the original trials. Baumgartner was found to have been popping pills during the trials and using a graduate of the Drug Court that Baumgartner himself founded to supply him with pills.
The Baumgartner saga that precipitated the post-conviction chaos is here with links to blog entries and newspaper articles.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
January 6, 2013 Baumgartner Wants His Pension
Disgraced Knox County Criminal Judge Richard Baumgartner is trying to get the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) to reinstate the $4900/month state pension that he lost upon his conviction in November 2012 on federal charges.
Here's the tale in a nutshell:
1. Baumgartner presided over the series of trials of the various defendants in the horrific Channon Christian-Chris Newsom kidnap, torture, rape, and murder trials.
2. Baumgartner was taking drugs and having Deena Castleman, his mistress and ex-Drug Court graduate, procure drugs for him.
3. A TBI probe resulted in charges against Baumgartner, and he resigned.
4. Baumgartner was charged with public misconduct.
5. He entered into a plea agreement in March 2011 where he pled guilty in return for diversion--which meant that if he kept a clean slate during the two-year probation period, there would be nothing on his "record" and he could keep his $4900/month state pension.
6. Federal officials came in in May 2012 and indicted Baumgartner on federal charges--misprision of a felony.
7. He was convicted in federal court in November 2012 and lost the pension.
8. He is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2013 in connection with the federal conviction.
Now, Baumgartner is trying to get that pension back. Baumgartner's argument in his appeal of the pension decision is that his crimes did not arise out of his "official" duties as judge. Baumgartner maintains that his pension can only be taken away for crimes connected to his role as a judge.
Click here for the N-S article on the TCRS pension.
Click here for posts and links to articles on Baumgartner.
Here's the tale in a nutshell:
1. Baumgartner presided over the series of trials of the various defendants in the horrific Channon Christian-Chris Newsom kidnap, torture, rape, and murder trials.
2. Baumgartner was taking drugs and having Deena Castleman, his mistress and ex-Drug Court graduate, procure drugs for him.
3. A TBI probe resulted in charges against Baumgartner, and he resigned.
4. Baumgartner was charged with public misconduct.
5. He entered into a plea agreement in March 2011 where he pled guilty in return for diversion--which meant that if he kept a clean slate during the two-year probation period, there would be nothing on his "record" and he could keep his $4900/month state pension.
6. Federal officials came in in May 2012 and indicted Baumgartner on federal charges--misprision of a felony.
7. He was convicted in federal court in November 2012 and lost the pension.
8. He is scheduled to be sentenced in March 2013 in connection with the federal conviction.
Now, Baumgartner is trying to get that pension back. Baumgartner's argument in his appeal of the pension decision is that his crimes did not arise out of his "official" duties as judge. Baumgartner maintains that his pension can only be taken away for crimes connected to his role as a judge.
Click here for the N-S article on the TCRS pension.
Click here for posts and links to articles on Baumgartner.
Friday, January 04, 2013
January 4, 2013 Lemaricus Davidson Submits Affidavit of Bailiff in Push for a New Trial in Christian-Newsom Slayings
In what is already an unbelievable series of events in what many consider the most horrific kidnap-rape-torture-murder crime in Knoxville's history, convicted killer Lemaricus Davidson has raised new issues in support of his bid for a new trial.
Davidson's attorneys have filed the affidavit of a bailiff who served during the 2009 trials. The bailiff claims that the jury had a praise service before deliberations, one juror played the guitar and led the others in singing, and one juror read a Bible verse--Psalm 90, verse 12.
Davidson did not testify in his first trial, but through his attorneys it was claimed that the victims Channon Christian and Chris Newsom came to Davidson's Chipman Street house voluntarily to buy drugs and Davidson's DNA happened to be on Christian's tortured body because he and Channon Christian had been lovers. Davidson was convicted and was the only one of the defendants sentenced to death.
The first trials of Davidson and the other defendants were tainted by the subsequent revelations that the presiding Judge, Richard Baumgartner, was taking drugs that he obtained from his mistress who "graduated" from the Drug Court that Baumgartner established. Baumgartner was allowed to resign but federal authorities later charged him with federal crimes related to his drug activity. Baungartner was convicted in federal court. Click here for prior posts on the Judge Richard Baumgartner saga.
One defendant Vanessa Coleman has already had a new trial and was convicted again in what could be considered a compromise verdict. Click here.
Click here and here for updates on Davidson's motion for a new trial.
Davidson's attorneys have filed the affidavit of a bailiff who served during the 2009 trials. The bailiff claims that the jury had a praise service before deliberations, one juror played the guitar and led the others in singing, and one juror read a Bible verse--Psalm 90, verse 12.
Davidson did not testify in his first trial, but through his attorneys it was claimed that the victims Channon Christian and Chris Newsom came to Davidson's Chipman Street house voluntarily to buy drugs and Davidson's DNA happened to be on Christian's tortured body because he and Channon Christian had been lovers. Davidson was convicted and was the only one of the defendants sentenced to death.
The first trials of Davidson and the other defendants were tainted by the subsequent revelations that the presiding Judge, Richard Baumgartner, was taking drugs that he obtained from his mistress who "graduated" from the Drug Court that Baumgartner established. Baumgartner was allowed to resign but federal authorities later charged him with federal crimes related to his drug activity. Baungartner was convicted in federal court. Click here for prior posts on the Judge Richard Baumgartner saga.
One defendant Vanessa Coleman has already had a new trial and was convicted again in what could be considered a compromise verdict. Click here.
Click here and here for updates on Davidson's motion for a new trial.
Monday, December 17, 2012
December 17, 2012 Remaining Defendants in Christian-Newsom Murders Make Case for New Trials
Vanessa Coleman was re-tried and re-convicted in Knox County Crominal Court. Click here.
The remaining three defendants in the horrific kinapping, torture, rape, and mirder of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom are seeking new trials.
Attorneys for Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, and George Thomas have made their case for new trials to Judge Walter Kurtz. Kurtz will rule on the requests in January. Click here.
The remaining three defendants in the horrific kinapping, torture, rape, and mirder of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom are seeking new trials.
Attorneys for Lemaricus Davidson, Letalvis Cobbins, and George Thomas have made their case for new trials to Judge Walter Kurtz. Kurtz will rule on the requests in January. Click here.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
November 21, 2012 Coleman Guilty of Most Charges in a Compromise Verdict
The retrial of Vanessa Coleman ended yesterday with what is being termed a compromise verdict. Coleman was charged with 17 counts of facilitation of crimes against Channon Christian during the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Christian in 2007.
In the verdict, Coleman was convicted on some of the counts, such as facilitation of the felony murder of Christian, while the jury returned guilty verdicts on "lesser charges" in connection with other counts and found Coleman not guilty on four counts.
Due to the extensive publicity surrounding the case, Coleman was tried in Knox County before a jury brought in from Jackson TN (Madison County).
Christian and her boyfriend Chris Newsom were kidnapped, raped, and murdered in 2007. Lemaricus Davidson, George Thomas, and Coleman's boyfriend Letalvis Cobbins have previously been convicted on various counts in connection with what started as a carjacking and quickly turned into a brutal and gruesome chain of events culminating in the execution-style shooting of Newsom and the murder of Christian by suffocation when she was tied and stuffed into a garbage can.
The New-Sentinel report is here.
Davidson, Thomas, and Cobbins are seeking retrials. Recently, Cobbins' request for a new lawyer and complaints about his treatment in prison were rebuffed by Judge Walter Kurtz during a hearing in Knox Criminal Court. The News-Sentinel report is here.
In the verdict, Coleman was convicted on some of the counts, such as facilitation of the felony murder of Christian, while the jury returned guilty verdicts on "lesser charges" in connection with other counts and found Coleman not guilty on four counts.
Due to the extensive publicity surrounding the case, Coleman was tried in Knox County before a jury brought in from Jackson TN (Madison County).
Christian and her boyfriend Chris Newsom were kidnapped, raped, and murdered in 2007. Lemaricus Davidson, George Thomas, and Coleman's boyfriend Letalvis Cobbins have previously been convicted on various counts in connection with what started as a carjacking and quickly turned into a brutal and gruesome chain of events culminating in the execution-style shooting of Newsom and the murder of Christian by suffocation when she was tied and stuffed into a garbage can.
The New-Sentinel report is here.
Davidson, Thomas, and Cobbins are seeking retrials. Recently, Cobbins' request for a new lawyer and complaints about his treatment in prison were rebuffed by Judge Walter Kurtz during a hearing in Knox Criminal Court. The News-Sentinel report is here.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
November 20, 2012 Coleman Re-trial: Defense Calls Parents To Testify, Closing Arguments, Deliberations
The Knoxville re-trial of Vanessa Coleman on 17 counts of facilitation of kidnapping, rape, and murder of Channon Christian is in the hands of a jury.
Yesterday, the defense presented its case, calling two witnesses to the stand--Vanessa's parents. Vanessa chose not to testify.
The prosecution and defense presented closing arguments, and the case went to the jury that was brought in from Jackson, TN (Madison County).
After several hours of deliberation, the jury retired for the night and will resume deliberations this morning.
The News-Sentinel has a running commentary on yesterday's testimony and closing here and a news article here.
Yesterday, the defense presented its case, calling two witnesses to the stand--Vanessa's parents. Vanessa chose not to testify.
The prosecution and defense presented closing arguments, and the case went to the jury that was brought in from Jackson, TN (Madison County).
After several hours of deliberation, the jury retired for the night and will resume deliberations this morning.
The News-Sentinel has a running commentary on yesterday's testimony and closing here and a news article here.
Monday, November 19, 2012
November 19, 2012 Coleman Trial: Defense Begins Today
The prosecution in the re-trial of Vanessa Coleman rested its case last week.
Today, the defense begins its presentation.
Coleman is accused of multiple counts of facilitation of crimes against Channon Christian during the brutal kidnapping, rape, and murder of Christian in 2007. Coleman's initial convictions in 2010 were tossed out and a re-trial ordered due to drug use and the impairment of Judge Richard Baumgartner in Coleman's first trial.
The prosecution wrapped up its case on Thursday and Friday last week. News-Sentinel coverage and updates are here, here, here, here, and here.
Today, the defense begins its presentation.
Coleman is accused of multiple counts of facilitation of crimes against Channon Christian during the brutal kidnapping, rape, and murder of Christian in 2007. Coleman's initial convictions in 2010 were tossed out and a re-trial ordered due to drug use and the impairment of Judge Richard Baumgartner in Coleman's first trial.
The prosecution wrapped up its case on Thursday and Friday last week. News-Sentinel coverage and updates are here, here, here, here, and here.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
November 14, 2012 Vanessa Coleman Retrial in Second Day
As a result of the fallout from the admission of drug use and misconduct by Judge Richard Baumgartner, the retrial of Vanessa Coleman is taking place in Knox County with a Madison County (Jackson, TN) jury and Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood presiding.
Coleman was initially convicted in 2010 of facilitation of crimes in the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Channon Christian in Knoxville in 2007.
Day One coverage, November 13, 2012, by Jamie Satterfield of the Knox News-Sentinel is here.
Day Two coverage is here and is updated through the day.
For previous blog posts on Baumgartner, click here.
Coleman was initially convicted in 2010 of facilitation of crimes in the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Channon Christian in Knoxville in 2007.
Day One coverage, November 13, 2012, by Jamie Satterfield of the Knox News-Sentinel is here.
Day Two coverage is here and is updated through the day.
For previous blog posts on Baumgartner, click here.
Saturday, November 03, 2012
November 3, 2012 GUILTY: Jury Convicts Baumgartner on Five Felony Counts
Ex-Knox Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner was convicted in federal court in Knoxville yesterday on five felony counts for lying about his pill-supplying mistress (Deena Castleman) to two judges, a Knox County child support referee, a state prosecutor, and a transitional housing director in order to cover up a drug-trafficking conspiracy involving Castleman.Castleman was a graduate of the Drug Court that Baumgartner founded. She testified during the early part of the trial that she was using drugs again, fell on hard times, and came to see "Judge B," as she called him, for help in May 2009.
She said that "Judge B" admitted his own use of opiates at that meeting and asked her if she could help get them for him. She agreed. A drug and sexual liaison between Baumgartner and Castleman ensued. According to prosecutors and other trial testimony, Baumgartner subsequently lied to various officials to help Castleman.
Prosecutors maintained that Baumgartner lied to cover-up a drug trafficking conspiracy to keep the drugs and sex flowing. Defense attorneys said the lies, if any, were simply out of concern and affection for Castleman.
A recent News-Sentinel article is here,
Baumgartner's sentencing is set for March 27, 2013. He faces up to three years in prison on each count, and up to a $250,000 fine on each count. Significantly, the federal felony convictions may result in a loss of Baumgartner's $4900/month state pension--- a pension that was spared when Baumgartner resigned from the bench in 2011 and later reached a plea deal with a special prosecutor in a prior state action. For more, click here and here.
Baumgartner presided over many high-profile Knox County cases--including the Christian-Newsom kidnapping, rape, and torture trials. New trials against the defendants in those cases have been ordered in the fallout over Baumgartner's pill use and actions.
More from the News-Sentinel is here.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
August 18, 2012 Feds Respond To former Knox Judge Richard Baumgartner's Motion To Dismiss Charges
He presided over many high profile criminal trials in Knox County, including the trials of the defendants in the torture/murder/rape of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom.
He resigned in disgrace and received judicial diversion on public misconduct charges when he became the accused. Click here.
Then the feds stepped in with charges.
Attorneys for former Knox Judge Richard Baumgartner filed a motion to dismiss the federal charges. See previous post and link here.
Now the U.S. attorneys have replied. Knox N-S story here.
He resigned in disgrace and received judicial diversion on public misconduct charges when he became the accused. Click here.
Then the feds stepped in with charges.
Attorneys for former Knox Judge Richard Baumgartner filed a motion to dismiss the federal charges. See previous post and link here.
Now the U.S. attorneys have replied. Knox N-S story here.
Thursday, August 09, 2012
August 9, 2012 Knox Judge Baumgartner Fighting Federal Charges
He was given judicial diversion in state court. Click here. Then the feds stepped in.
Now ex-Judge Richard Baumgartner is fighting federal charges and fighting to keep his pension.
During his tenure as a Judge, Baumgartner presided over some of the most high-profile criminal trials in Knox County, including the series of trials for the defendants in the Christian-Newsom rape, torture, and murder trials.
The News-Sentinel has the most recent update and online documents here:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/aug/07/disgraced-judge-takes-aim-at-federal-prosecution/?partner=popular
Now ex-Judge Richard Baumgartner is fighting federal charges and fighting to keep his pension.
During his tenure as a Judge, Baumgartner presided over some of the most high-profile criminal trials in Knox County, including the series of trials for the defendants in the Christian-Newsom rape, torture, and murder trials.
The News-Sentinel has the most recent update and online documents here:
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/aug/07/disgraced-judge-takes-aim-at-federal-prosecution/?partner=popular
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
January 17, 2012 Special Judge in Baumgartner's Misconduct Hearing Urges Knoxville Legal Community To Report Misconduct
Last Thursday, Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood denied the request by the Knox District Attorney's Office to immediately appeal Blackwood's ruling that the four Christian-Newsom torture-murder defendants must be retried due to "structural flaws" in the initial trials presided over by former Knox Criminal Judge Richard Baumgartner.
Baumgartner, who finally resigned from office and is now drawing a handsome $4900/mo pension from the State of Tennessee, was found to have been taking various drugs and engaging in other misconduct during the Christian-Newsom and other trials.
Blackwood chastised members of the DA's office and others who apparently knew that Judge Baumgartner appeared impaired in the courtroom but who did not report it and thus let the trials--that will now have to be re-done--continue.
Blackwood sent a message to the entire legal community: "There is a canon of both the (state) Board of Professional Responsibility as well as a canon of judicial ethics that it is a mandatory duty to report a lawyer or judge whenever their fitness is called into question."
[Blackwood didn't mention that he himself failed to read the entire TBI file before agreeing to the plea deal that granted Baumgartner "diversion." ]
The News- Sentinel article is here.
A previous post and other links are here.
Baumgartner, who finally resigned from office and is now drawing a handsome $4900/mo pension from the State of Tennessee, was found to have been taking various drugs and engaging in other misconduct during the Christian-Newsom and other trials.
Blackwood chastised members of the DA's office and others who apparently knew that Judge Baumgartner appeared impaired in the courtroom but who did not report it and thus let the trials--that will now have to be re-done--continue.
Blackwood sent a message to the entire legal community: "There is a canon of both the (state) Board of Professional Responsibility as well as a canon of judicial ethics that it is a mandatory duty to report a lawyer or judge whenever their fitness is called into question."
[Blackwood didn't mention that he himself failed to read the entire TBI file before agreeing to the plea deal that granted Baumgartner "diversion." ]
The News- Sentinel article is here.
A previous post and other links are here.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
January 11, 2012 Former Knox Judge Richard Baumgartner: Public Misconduct, Diversion, State Pension of $4900/month
The fallout from drug use by former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner continues as many of the criminal cases over which he presided while using drugs are challenged.
Citing Judge Baumgartner's impairment, retrials have already been granted to the four defendants convicted in the 2007 torture-murder deaths of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom.
A TBI probe into alleged drug use by Baumgartner began over a year ago. Al Schmutzer, a former East Tennessee DA, was eventually appointed as special prosecutor.
A plea deal was announced on March 10, 2011. Baumgartner pled guilty but was granted judicial diversion by Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood. With diversion, the sentence was suspended and Baumgartner was placed on probation for two years. If Baumgartner remains clean during the probation period, his record will then be wiped clean. Click here.
The diversion and the ability to wipe the slate clean cleared the way for him to draw a state pension. On March 11, 2011, one day after the plea deal was entered, Baumgartner began drawing a state pension of $4,900/month.
Judge Blackwood, who admitted that he did not read the entire TBI file at the time he graned diversion, granted new trials to the four individuals who were convicted in the Christian-Newsom torture-murder deaths. Click here and here.
The Board of Professional Responsibility disbarred Baumgartner. The BPR file is here..
The redacted TBI file is here.
As all try to distance themselves from this travesty, Schmutzer claims that he was stunned by the diversion. Click here.
A defense attorney who is trying to get a retrial for his client, a convicted child-rapist, has asked the Knox District Attorney's office to step aside since employees of the DA's office were interviewed during the Baumgartner investigation and some may have/should have known of Baumgartner's impairment. Click here.
One certainty at this point is that more convictions will be appealed and more "what did you know and when did you know it" questions will be asked.
Citing Judge Baumgartner's impairment, retrials have already been granted to the four defendants convicted in the 2007 torture-murder deaths of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom.
A TBI probe into alleged drug use by Baumgartner began over a year ago. Al Schmutzer, a former East Tennessee DA, was eventually appointed as special prosecutor.
A plea deal was announced on March 10, 2011. Baumgartner pled guilty but was granted judicial diversion by Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood. With diversion, the sentence was suspended and Baumgartner was placed on probation for two years. If Baumgartner remains clean during the probation period, his record will then be wiped clean. Click here.
The diversion and the ability to wipe the slate clean cleared the way for him to draw a state pension. On March 11, 2011, one day after the plea deal was entered, Baumgartner began drawing a state pension of $4,900/month.
Judge Blackwood, who admitted that he did not read the entire TBI file at the time he graned diversion, granted new trials to the four individuals who were convicted in the Christian-Newsom torture-murder deaths. Click here and here.
The Board of Professional Responsibility disbarred Baumgartner. The BPR file is here..
The redacted TBI file is here.
As all try to distance themselves from this travesty, Schmutzer claims that he was stunned by the diversion. Click here.
A defense attorney who is trying to get a retrial for his client, a convicted child-rapist, has asked the Knox District Attorney's office to step aside since employees of the DA's office were interviewed during the Baumgartner investigation and some may have/should have known of Baumgartner's impairment. Click here.
One certainty at this point is that more convictions will be appealed and more "what did you know and when did you know it" questions will be asked.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
April 17, 2008 Eric Boyd: Guilty
I, like many other people, have followed with overwhelming sadness the horrific carjacking and brutal torture, rape, and murder of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom as reported in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Yesterday, I happened to be handling civil cases in Knox County General Sessions court on the day that the jury verdict in the trial of Eric Boyd was announced.
Boyd was charged with two federal crimes--accessory to carjacking and failing to report a felony. Boyd was the first to be tried in connection with the Christian-Newsom case. The other four individuals--who face murder charges--will be tried in state court in 2009.
Before I went back to my office, I went into the federal courtroom to see and hear the jury verdict in person.
The federal courtroom is huge but with very little seating. Yesterday, one side of the courtroom was filled with the Christian and Newsom families and friends. The other side had a row of reporters and courthouse employees and others who came in just to hear the verdict. There were a number of law enforcement officials there as well---some of whom had participated in the investigation.
In the early afternoon, the Judge considered a question raised by the jury regarding a difference in the wording of the indictment and the statute under which Boyd charge. You can read the N-S story for a full explanation. The short version is this: the jury wanted to know if the indictment that used the word "and" or the statute that used the word "or" should guide their deliberations.
The Judge brought the jury in and advised that the indictment is just a charging instrument. He then read the statute.
They jury went back out for a short time and then returned with a guilty verdict.
News-Sentinel reporter Jamie Satterfield has provided extensive coverage of the trial of Boyd over the past 1-1/2 weeks. Her article on yesterday's verdict is online. There are also links to other information that can be pulled up.
Yesterday, I happened to be handling civil cases in Knox County General Sessions court on the day that the jury verdict in the trial of Eric Boyd was announced.
Boyd was charged with two federal crimes--accessory to carjacking and failing to report a felony. Boyd was the first to be tried in connection with the Christian-Newsom case. The other four individuals--who face murder charges--will be tried in state court in 2009.
Before I went back to my office, I went into the federal courtroom to see and hear the jury verdict in person.
The federal courtroom is huge but with very little seating. Yesterday, one side of the courtroom was filled with the Christian and Newsom families and friends. The other side had a row of reporters and courthouse employees and others who came in just to hear the verdict. There were a number of law enforcement officials there as well---some of whom had participated in the investigation.
In the early afternoon, the Judge considered a question raised by the jury regarding a difference in the wording of the indictment and the statute under which Boyd charge. You can read the N-S story for a full explanation. The short version is this: the jury wanted to know if the indictment that used the word "and" or the statute that used the word "or" should guide their deliberations.
The Judge brought the jury in and advised that the indictment is just a charging instrument. He then read the statute.
They jury went back out for a short time and then returned with a guilty verdict.
News-Sentinel reporter Jamie Satterfield has provided extensive coverage of the trial of Boyd over the past 1-1/2 weeks. Her article on yesterday's verdict is online. There are also links to other information that can be pulled up.
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