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The Davidson Trial

Submitted by Gene Patterson on November 2, 2009 - 9:49pm

During the two weeks of the Lemaricus Davidson murder trial, a steady stream of people sat inside the courtroom. Mostly family members, friends and supporters of the families, filled the seats.

But others - with no connection to the families - also spent time there.  Attorneys, court workers, other government workers and police officers were often part of the courtroom contingent.

There were also some random folks there, like the guy from Florida who handed me a racist newsletter. Or the soccer mom who wanted to see the "monster."

But also among them was a couple whom I've been acquainted with for nearly 30 years.  A middle-aged husband and wife with no ties to any of the parties. And yet, there they were - listening to each witness, each opening statement and closing argument.

They were there when the jury came back with guity verdicts; and again Friday when that same jury of 7 men and 5 women sentenced Davidson to death.

But why?

They said - like many of us in Knoxville - they had read or watched news stories about this crime for nearly 3 years.  It was so horrific that they couldn't believe it.  Could someone or group of someones be so cruel? They had to see for themselves, they said.

I heard that from many others. How could anyone be so cruel, so evil? It was the stuff of nightmares and horror movies.  And yet, it happened here in Knoxville to two innocent young people with everything to live for.

I've been asked about my own feelings? I can only say that there is a deep sadness when I think of Chris and Channon.  A deep sadness for the horrors they lived through at the end of their lives...and sadness for their families and friends - who still grieve for them.

And I think about those who commited the crimes.  What did they hope to get for such senseless, awful violence?  I will always wonder - why? 

 

 

 

Comments

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Comments

I really think you are right

Submitted by Graci (not verified) on November 3, 2009 - 12:33am.
I really think you are right when you say we may never really know why this senseless murder happened. I was one of those courtroom observers that didn't have a personal connection to the family. I avoided the trial on the days where "gruesome evidence" was to be presented. I felt it was almost a violation of Chris and Channon's privacy to view the autopsy photos. Nonetheless the few days that I attended proved to be gruesome anyhow. Just hearing details of something so horrific and knowing that it happened in my own community was horrifying enough. I am certain that I will never forget the pain I saw in the families of Channon in Christian...the deep sadness in their eyes. As a community, we were robbed. Channon and Chris were viable community members with a lot to offer Knoxville. They were a valuable presence in our town..and they were taken. To even think we would ever understand this horrific crime would imply that on some level we could think on the level of a monster. Most of us, luckily, can not. We have all been forced to accept that this could have just as easily been our own children ripped from the safety of their lives and dragged into a nightmare like none other. We will all look over our shoulders now and tighten the grip on our kids a little bit more. Truth be told, we were never safe to begin with. We are only lucky if we haven't been touched personally by violence. If one "good" thing can come out of this, perhaps we will all be wiser to what goes on around us. Regarding the defendants in this case, I find myself torn. I wanted nothing more than the death penalty for all four (and hopefully soon to be more) individuals responsible for this crime. Yet I found myself somewhat disturbed at the joy I felt when the death verdict came to fruition. I later realized that I don't have the sense of hate and evil that these people do..the ones that murdered for the sheer pleasure of killing. One side of me relishes the thought of Davidson dying with the faces of his victims etched in his final thoughts. The other side is saddened that despite all the opportunities afforded these people, they still chose to walk a dark and empty road to nowhere. They were born an innocent baby, full of promise, and will die a monster. How sad is that? I will always remember the Christian and Newsom families and I believe our community will rally to support them for years to come. I can't imagine they will ever find peace in this situation but I hope that they can at least find some solace in knowing they are not alone in their grief for this children. That MANY in this community, even though they didn't have the pleasure of knowing Channon and Chris, will be better for just having the privilege to glimpse how wonderful they were.

Justice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 4, 2009 - 7:45pm.
I don't think their is true justice anymore,just on the 2nd of december they tennessee finall put to death a murderer who killed 3 people, This murderer spent 28 years on death roe, so where is the justice for the victims or their families? These who killed these 2 kids who;s trials are now going on,the ones who get the death penelity will not be executed in my life time and i;am 64.But their is one who is going to give to everyone there just rewards for good or bad. GOD.

justice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 5, 2009 - 6:44pm.
If we would punish evil doerers and not keep them in jails or prisons for years when they are giving the death sentence, then we would not have so much crime.I recently came back from china. and there if you do the crime you will do the time, and if you kill, or steal, and sell drugs you are giving the death penelty and you don;t stay on death roe. they execute withen the month of your guilt.

trials of the 4 who killed those kids

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 10, 2009 - 7:07pm.
None of them will ever pay for what they did, the two who got life without parole only up graded their life styles, and the one who got the death penallty will never be executed ,not for at least 30 years.because of all of these bleeding heart liberals.We need to change the death penalty rules.

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