Thursday, October 29, 2009

Lemaricus Davidson Convicted in Second Knoxville Horror Murder Case, Now in Penalty Phase

By Nicholas Stix

Yesterday morning, in the second Knoxville Horror murder trial, a Knox County (Tennessee) jury convicted Lemaricus Davidson of 35 out of 38 state felony counts, including of murdering Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom, 23, of kidnapping both victims, robbery, repeatedly vaginally and anally raping Christian, and of facilitation in the gang-rape of Newsom.

My reader “D,” who has functioned as my de facto research assistant on this case writes,

Nicholas,

The judge is making revealing rulings. Judge Baumgartner is merging the two murder counts before sentencing. the prosecution is unhappy because if one count is tossed on appeal, merging could wipe out entire case.

Judge won't allow previous carjacking victim as witness. Judge will allow defense to argue economics of death sentence.

The prosecutor, Takisha Fitzgerald lists aggravating factors, prior violent crime, torture, avoiding arrest. Newsom mutilated by fire.

The defense says "lingering doubt" weighs in Davidson's favor. He was abused, neglected, no daddy.

[D]


"Lingering doubt" about what?

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