No new trial for Christian/Newsome murderers

[Dolomite_supafly]

I am so glad this has happened for the families. I couldn't imagine what they have gone through and to go through it again would be uncalled for.

http://www.wbir.com/...rder-defendants

A decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court puts new trials on hold for the defendants in the Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom murders.

The justices were asked to review the order granting new trials to three of the four defendants convicted of killing the young Knox County couple.

Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood granted the new trialsbased on former Judge Richard Baumgartner's admitted drug addiction.

Thursday, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruledthat a trial judge's misconduct outside the courtroom does not necessarily require a new trial unless the misconduct is shown to have affected the trial proceedings.

"Although given the opportunity, the defendants failed to offer any proof that the original trial judge's misconduct outside the

courtroom affected the integrity of the trials."

The Court acknowledged that "the public's confidence in the judiciary is undermined by irresponsible and improper conduct of judges in both their professional and personal pursuits." The Court described former Judge Richard Baumgartner's misconduct outside the courtroom as "a clear and palpable" violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, and cautioned that its "order should not be construed as condoning or excusing" Judge Baumgartner's misconduct.

The Court decided that the order granting the new trials in these cases must be vacated because the defendants had not shown that former Judge Baumgartner's misconduct outside the courtroom affected their trials.

The order means that Judge Blackwood's order granting the new trials has been vacated, and sent back to Judge Blackwood, who can reconsider the request on different grounds.

A retrial for the fourth person convicted in the case, Vanessa Coleman, is still on track to be held in November with a sequestered jury from another county.

Edited May 24, 2012 by Dolomite_supafly

[Mike.357]

That is really good news.

There is little doubt to the guilt of those already convicted. And certainly they witheld info on who killed Newsom.

Here is hoping they are dead before getting out.

[Garufa]

This is great news. Hopefully this "hold" will stand. There is no way in hell these scum should even be considered worthy of benefit of the doubt.

[mcurrier]

Finally...some justice in some respect.

[Dolomite_supafly]

If they wanted to make sure everything was legitimate with the judge's decisions they should not do it with another trial. They should just hire in a few attorneys to review the trial transcripts for errors. It would be cheaper for the citizens and less stressful for the families. And honestly if the judge had committed errors it would have been addressed during the initial trial so there should not be a reason for a new one.

People have said they should be put to death but I want them to feel the daily misery and fear of being in jail for the rest of their lives. For most criminals being put ot death is an easy way out I don't want them to have.

Dolomite

[Garufa]

I prefer death for people like this. Immediately after conviction and not by some goodnight injection means either.

Yes, we still have the death penalty for the most heinous crimes but what kind of deterrent is that after 20 years of appeals and no public notice or witness?

Animals of this sort should be made an example of.

Edited May 24, 2012 by Garufa

[DaveTN]

This is good news for the families. No one should have to go through that twice; especially because of a dirty Judge.

Now get on to the business of revoking Richard Baumgartner’s pension. No other public servant would get their pension after being fired for misconduct; why does a Judge get to keep his?

[Garufa]

No other public servant would get their pension after being fired for misconduct; why does a Judge get to keep his?

Because he's a lawyer and judge.

The Feds are now looking into all his shenanigans now if I'm not mistaken. Regardless, TN law is what it is. Maybe the next pill addict on the bench will see proper justice.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Actually the judge was arrested last week on federal charges.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Disgraced former judge Richard Baumgartner has been arrested on federal charges, TBI spokesperson Kristen Helm confirmed late Tuesday afternoon.

Baumgartner, 65, was taken into custody along John Sevier Hwy. and Asheville Hwy. late Tuesday afternoon after a federal grand jury returned a seven count indictment charging him with seven counts of Misprision of a Felony, according to U.S. Atty. William Killian's office.

He's accused of knowing felonies were being committed and not reporting them. He allegedly misled an Anderson Co. judge, staff at St. Mary's Hospital, and the YWCA about Deena Castleman and others trying to obtain and distribute controlled substances.

Baumgartner appeared in court shortly after his arrest and entered a plea of not guilty, Killian's office said. He was released pending his trial on July 18, 2012. If convicted he faces up to three years in jai and a fine up to $250,000 for each count.

The Bosch Law Firm, which represents Baumgartner released a statement saying they learned of the federal government's indictment after Baumgartner was arrested. They said he entered pleas of not guilty and the had no further comments at this time.

He did submit to a drug test and reportedly passed.

Helm said it was part of an ongoing investigation into Baumgartner, who resigned from the bench and pleaded guilty to official misconduct last year. A TBI investigation found he was having sex and buying pills during courtroom breaks.

The arrest comes about a week after a man accused of having supplied Baumgartner with painkillers was arrested for violating his probation. Christopher Gibson, 41, had been free on bond pending an appeal of a four-year sentence meted out for a probation violation that stemmed from his involvement with former Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner.

Records drafted by Gibson's defense counsel claim Baumgartner on occasion bought drugs after church, carried on sexual liaisons in the home of his drug supplier and used unidentified law officers to get painkillers.

He has said he violated his probation by having a gun in his house and by selling the former judge hundreds of pills from November 2009 to October 2010.

His recent probation violation is the result of having four oxycodone pills and an antidepressant in his possession.

Dolomite

[R_Bert]

I am glad for the families.

I actually knew Chris. He was my motorcycle mechanic when he worked for Greene's Kawasaki. I really liked him.

[Guest CCI]

What was the murders motive? I did a google, but I didn't find any motive for their crime!

[R_Bert]

What was the murders motive? I did a google, but I didn't find any motive for their crime!

hate.

[Guest bkelm18]

What was the murders motive? I did a google, but I didn't find any motive for their crime!

There was no motive really.

[vontar]

I prefer death for people like this. Immediately after conviction and not by some goodnight injection means either.

Yes, we still have the death penalty for the most heinous crimes but what kind of deterrent is that after 20 years of appeals and no public notice or witness?

Animals of this sort should be made an example of.

I agree. I would be in favor of bring back public executions . After the last state(KY) passed laws against them, the then Gov. said "Our streets are no longer safe."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/12/after-75-years-last-public-hanging-haunts-city/#ixzz1vqBz1V3F The last public execution in the use was in 1936 and last passed in 38 ending them. Don't get me wrong, I am all for finding out the truth beyond a shadow of doubt before putting a person to death, but when their is enough evidence to support it, and they lose their appeal, sentence needs to be carried out. However I am also about forgiveness and I would support 1 or 2 years for the person to get right with his/her Maker. (20 years far to long) They didn't waste20 years on on Timothy Mcveigh. Around 6 total.

[Murgatroy]

What was the murders motive? I did a google, but I didn't find any motive for their crime!

Animals don't need a motive.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I believe all executions should be public. They generally happen at midnight anyways so those not fit to watch should be in bed. Maybe if would be thugs could see people foaming at the mouth, steaming and crapping themselves maybe they would not break the law so readily.

Dolomite

[vontar]

From the time I was little, I remember my uncle saying people that do stuff like that to others are worse then animals. Animals if they kill it is for a reason, but when people do that, they are lower then animals and should be treated as such. Personally I would tie them to a chair and turn Shannon's Dad lose with them. Anything they get is too good for them.

[Timestepper]

I am so glad this has happened for the families. I couldn't imagine what they have gone through and to go through it again would be uncalled for.

http://www.wbir.com/...rder-defendants

Sometimes, it would appear, prayers are indeed answered...

[peejman]

Sometimes, it would appear, prayers are indeed answered...

Amen to that.

I believe all executions should be public. They generally happen at midnight anyways so those not fit to watch should be in bed. Maybe if would be thugs could see people foaming at the mouth, steaming and crapping themselves maybe they would not break the law so readily.

Dolomite

And that.

[TGO David]

So can we hang these mother####ers yet? Is there a rope shortage in Knoxville or something? Anyone who commits as heinous of crimes against others as these vermin did, regardless of race, color or creed, needs to swing from a tree until their legs stop kicking and be left there for a day as a warning to anyone else who would dare commit the same despicable acts.

[mikegideon]

So can we hang these mother####ers yet? Is there a rope shortage in Knoxville or something? Anyone who commits as heinous of crimes against others as these vermin did, regardless of race, color or creed, needs to swing from a tree until their legs stop kicking and be left there for a day as a warning to anyone else who would dare commit the same despicable acts.

NOTICE: This idea has been rejected by your govenment due to its potential for effectiveness.

[TGO David]

NOTICE: This idea has been rejected by your govenment due to its potential for effectiveness.

Yeah well, that's because the government remembers back in the day some of its own had the same date with destiny.

[mikegideon]

Yeah well, that's because the government remembers back in the day some of its own had the same date with destiny.

Don't need to reinstate it now. Who would look out for the childern?

[mcurrier]

Don't need to reinstate it now. Who would look out for the childern?

We're already paying for them, it's simply a matter of an address of where they will be staying. Schools are already serving breakfast, lunch and dinner...and some do weekend meals too. All we need to do is move some beds in there and their indoctrination can go from 5 days a week to 24 hours a day.

[Timestepper]

Don't need to reinstate it now. Who would look out for the childern?

Those of us who take life, liberty and personal responsibility seriously. (Read that as those of us who actually raise our children with values to become conscientious, productive members of society instead of turning them over to the freakin' welfare state for someone else to raise because they're too gawd-damned lazy to get off their butts and actually take responsibility for what they've produced...anybody can spend a few minutes bumping uglies and create a child, it takes a parent to create a decent, useful person!)