Cobbins murder trial, day 3 - 5:30 p.m. report

Cobbins murder trial, day 3 - 6 p.m. report

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The defense for accused killer Letalvis Cobbins said he cried like a little girl when he was interviewed by officers investigating the brutal murder of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in January 2007.

Cobbins is the first of four suspects charged with the carjacking, kidnapping, rape and killing of the young couple.

Wednesday, the jury heard Cobbins for the first time on tape being questioned after he was caught.

Cobbins' attorney came close to flat-out calling his client a cry baby and also a liar.

The defense doesn't deny Cobbins had a role in these crimes -- they just say he doesn't deserve to die for what he did.

On tape, Cobbins' story didn't stick.

Now-Sheriff J.J. Jones laid it on the line with Cobbins during the taped interview, "Letalvis, what we want to talk to you about is that weekend."

"That weekend" started January 6, 2007.

"That weekend" was the weekend Channon Christian and Chris Newsom were carjacked, raped, and murdered.

The jury heard tapes of officers questioning Cobbins after they nabbed him in Kentucky.

During the interview, Jones says, "You're telling me a different story."

Cobbins says, "I'm going to tell the truth."

"You're not. We know you're not telling the truth."

Cobbins kept changing his story, first denying he was in the Knoxville Chipman Street house while Christian was still alive, but later admitting he saw Christian there and that she looked terrified.

Cobbins says his and other's changing stories stemmed from fear that they'd get pinned for what his brother and co-defendant, Lemaricus Davidson, did.

"We're not going to go down for something that we had to part of," Cobbins says on the tape. "You know what I mean?"

Officers grilled Cobbins to tears several times as he continued to deny his complete involvement.

Cobbins claimed Davidson was going crazy.

"He was still mad or whatever because I didn't want to do that ****."

Officers caught Cobbins at Natasha Hayes' Kentucky home.

Hayes testified Cobbins seemed quiet when he arrived after the time Christian and Newsom were killed, but she says he broke his silence when he saw media reports online.

"He was yelling," Hayes testified. "He said, 'If I go down for anything, I'm taking y'all with me.' "

As the jury heard on the taped interview, Cobbins knew the stakes were high.

"I'm not trying to go down to lose my life to nobody."

Cobbins could lose his life, if prosecutors and the families get their wish. He faces the death penalty.

The defense argued for a mistrial after the first round of audio recordings were played.

Cobbins attornies say the prosecution should have edited out portions that had officers discussing statements Davidson had made, because they say it is hearsay evidence, which cannot be brought in as evidence.

The judge denied the mistrial request.

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LIVE BLOG: Cobbins' Christian-Newsom murder trial, day 3

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The first trial has begun in the carjacking, rape, and murder of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom. The trial is in its third day.

Volunteer TV's Mike McCarthy is covering the trial and will update this blog throughout the day. You can also follow Mike's updates on Twitter, just follow @WVLT.

For background information on this case, CLICK HERE.

You can watch the entire trial on VolunteerTV.com, just CLICK HERE.

3:30 pm--- KPD officer testifies about collecting finger prints. Again---no cobbins prints on trashbags that held christian's body. TBI agent also testifying about DNA evidence connected to Christian/Newsom murders.

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2:10 pm--- Defense attorney said Coobins "cried like a little girl " during police questioning.

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2:00 pm-- Cobbins says on tape....he was scared after seeing info on news. So he lied about when he skipped town. Cobbins says "all were goinig to stick to that story."

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1:30 pm -- Second set of audio recordings. Cobbins said Channon Christian looked "terrified" at Chipman Street home. Also says watched bro and Boyd do carjacking.
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10:45 am ---Court about to hear audio recording of Cobbins interrogation after being arrrested. An hour long. Cobbins waived rights at the start of the interview.

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10:15 am--- Court takes morning break. Trooper says thoroughly searched room in KY where Cobbins stayed. No mention of 22 clabier revolver. ATF agent previously testifed pink high heels found in room where Cobbins and Coleman were staying in Chimpan Street home. Shoes belonged to Christian.

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9:45--- Natasha Hays on stand. Cobbins, Thomas, and Coleman arrested at her Kentucky home. She testified she heard Cobbins " If go down, I'm taking you all with me."

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9:31--- Defense attacks Wernimont credibility. Calls him a liar. Davidson's prison pal said he's "here to tell the truth." But defense says he lied to poliice, and believes he's lying now.Wernimont got no plea deal.

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9:25 am--- Judge stalls decision on adding witnesses to testify more about the chrome revolver being discovered, after Cobbins in custody.

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9:00 am -- Cobbins day 3--attornies say witness who previously served prison time with Cobbins offered no plea deal from federal authorties. How will they clear that up to jury? Recall to stand? Up for debate now.