Christian-Newsom Murders: Judge Delays Davidson Trial for DNA Testing
Judge Richard Baumgartner has delayed the trial of Lemaricus Davidson for one week to allow additional DNA testing. The trial is now set to begin Oct. 12. Jury selection will continue.
Davidson is the alleged ringleader in the January 2007 murders of University of Tennessee student Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom, 23. Davidson is charged with carjacking, kidnapping, raping, torturing and killing the young couple. If convicted, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
The judge today blocked the public from hearing arguments over funding for new DNA testing that led to the delay. Baumgartner contends he could hear the motion in private because it involves defense funding.
The law allows defendants to seek funding in private hearings in order not to reveal trial strategy to the prosecution.
A court reported recorded the arguments and prosecutors were allowed to participate in the hearing.
Last month prosecutors sought DNA testing from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on sperm found on Channon Christian’s panties which were seized as evidence from Davidson’s Chipman Street house, where she and Newsom were held captive before they were killed. The test confirmed the presence of sperm but the TBI was unable to isolate a DNA profile.
Read complete trial coverage by Jamie Satterfield at knoxnews.com:
