GUILTY: Eric Boyd found guilty in Christian-Newsom murder accessory case
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Updated: 8:11 PM Aug 18, 2009
GUILTY: Eric Boyd found guilty in Christian-Newsom murder accessory case
Eric DeWayne Boyd is the first person to be found guilty in connection with the Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom murder case, even though he was never charged with the carjacking, rape, or murder of the young couple.
Posted: 3:21 PM Apr 16, 2008
Reporter: Rob Pratt
Eric DeWayne Boyd (Photo Courtesy: Blount County Sheriff's Office)
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WVLT) -- Eric DeWayne Boyd is the first person to be found guilty in connection with the Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom case.

Boyd has just been found guilty of being an accessory in the case. The jury siding with prosecutors and believing Boyd helped suspect Lemaricus Davidson escape even though he knew that Davidson had committed a crime resulting in death.

Boyd was not charged in connection with the murders or the carjacking.

Stay connected to Volunteer TV News and volunteertv.com for continued coverage of this developing news story.

Tuesday, the defense and prosecution both rested their case.

As in every criminal case, the prosecution had to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Tuesday morning, they rested their case. An hour later, after calling only two witnesses, the defense rested, too.

The defense has said from the beginning, this trial is about what Eric Boyd knew, when he knew it, and what he did about it.

The prosecution agreed, urging jurors to hold Boyd to that standard.
Prosecutors say Boyd knew Lemaricus Davidson committed a crime, specifically the carjacking, rape, and murders of Channon Christian, 21, and Chris Newsom, 23.

They say instead of telling police right away, Boyd helped hide Davidson for days.

Prosecutors say Davidson sought help from several people, most of whom turned their backs on him, once they learned of the crimes.

But in his closing argument, assistant US Attorney Tracy Stone, pointed at Boyd, saying, "In the whole wide world, one person was willing to help Lemaricus Davidson, and he's sitting right here."

Defense attorney Phil Lomonaco presented a different Eric Boyd in his closing. He says Boyd is the one who led police to Davidson, once he learned of Davidson's alleged involvement in the crimes. Lomonaco argues prosecutors have not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, that Boyd knew Davidson had committed a crime before that.

The defense also continued its effort to put Daphne Sutton on trial, Lemaricus Davidson's girlfriend at the time. She admitted on the stand Friday that Davidson spent the night with her the day after Christian was killed. Sutton was never charged with any crime.

Lomonaco asked the jury in his closing, "If what (Daphne Sutton) did wasn't enough to get her indicted, is what (Eric Boyd) did enough for him to go to jail?"

In the end, it's what Boyd did that really matters here, and now the jury will decide whether he's guilty.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Angel on Apr 17, 2008 at 05:42 PM

To the families of Channnon & Chris...we are sending you all of our heartfelt thoughts & prayers...may they give you strength. We can never feel all your pain...but please know that our hearts ache for you & your children & many tears have been shed. Please be strong & let the courts & God above punish these devils on earth. May God Bless you each day.
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Posted by: LeLa Location: Maryville on Apr 17, 2008 at 09:30 AM

I agree that if Boyd housed this individual knowing what he had done,he is getting what he deserved. What I'm puzzled about is why is the girlfriend getting off free, she admitted that this individual spent the night with her after the murders,why did'nt she do the right thing, and report to the officials? Now that is not right! Could someone enlighten me with the answer of where did all this begin, where were these two (Christian-Newsom)how did they succumb to this car-jacking that resulting in their deaths? Did they know these awful people? Were they at the same place?
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Posted by: CC Location: KNOXVILLE on Apr 16, 2008 at 08:04 PM

I am sorry for these families. People can say what they want black or white someone who will allow a person to stay with them after such a horrible crime has got to be evil and that goes for the girlfriend too. Anybody that had anything to do with this crime is pure EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!
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