KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Christians and Newsoms say the verdict and sentence leveled against Lemaricus Davidson were the only justice they could get for their murdered children.

Lemaricus Davidson carjacked, kidnapped and killed Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in January 2007. He raped Christian multiple times, and facilitated the rape of Newsom.

There was a gasp from the courtroom when the sentence was handed down.

The Christian and Newsom families say the death sentence didn't bring closure, but it does offer some relief.

This is what these families say they've fought for since their children were murdered more than two years ago.

"May you find peace, when you meet your maker," Judge Richard Baumgartner told Davidson before court was adjourned.

Convicted killer Lemaricus Davidson showed no emotion as a jury sentenced him to death.

"We finally got the justice our kids deserve," Mary Newsom said. "It really makes me feel good."

Davidson received four death sentences for the murders.

Christian's dad, Gary Christian, pumped his fist, then stared down his daughter's killer as the jury read the sentences.

"That was hard for those 12 people to do . I know that," Gary Christian said after court. "But it would've have been hard for me to do."

For the Christian and Newsom families, the sentences brought at least some relief. They've spent the trial defending their children against allegations from Davidson's defense attorneys.

"I don't respect the way they did it," he said. "I don't respect anybody who attacks their son or my daughter for any reason, for ever more a world without end. I don't respect those two people."

But the families say they have nothing but respect for the Knox County jurors Hugh Newsom calls "patriots."

"I want to walk up to everyone of them and shake their hand," Deena Christian said.

The Christians and Newsoms thanked the community for all its support, but had a message for anyone who questions the morals of the death penalty.

"Put your son on the railroad tracks," Deena Christian said. "Put your daughter or son in a trashcan, and then look at me and ask me that question, if it happens to you."

Davidon is just the second of four suspects to go to trial for the killings, but the vicitms' families say Davidson's sentence gives them hope to keep working toward justice.

"This is a big one," Gary Christian said. "This makes it easier to go on."

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) ---A Knox County jury sentenced Lemaricus Davidson to death for killing Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom in January 2007.

A cheer went out over the courtroom when the first of four death penalty verdicts was read aloud by the jury foreman. Judge Richard Baumgartner quickly reprimanded court observers for the outburst, having previously warned that there should be no reaction whatsoever from the courtroom.

In all, Davidson was handed four death sentences for the first degree premeditated murder and first degree felony murder of Channon Christian, as well as the first degree premeditated murder and first degree felony murder of Christopher Newsom.

"May you find peace with your maker," Judge Richard Baumgartner told Davidson before court was adjourned.

"The Christians the Newsoms and all of Knoxville got justice today," Deena Christian said after learning of jury's sentencing decision.

"I first want to thank 12 people--actually 14," Gary Christian said. "I finally get to go see her, and tell her 'one down.' "

Gary Christian thanked local law enforcement and prosecutors, saying, "These are the people that we need in this community to protect us."

"The Jury was from Knox County. They are the pillars of our community," Hugh Newsom said. "We should take our hats off to them, and we should give them a round of applause."

Letalvis Cobbins, who was convicted in August of killing Channon but not Chris, did not get the death penalty. The jury in his trial came from Davidson County. George Thomas, the next suspect to go on trial for the murders, will be tried by a jury from Bradley County.

"I'm happy with the verdict. This is what we wanted," Mary Newsom said. "This is the justice we wanted for Chris."

"They were able to take the evidence, and make a decision, unbiased, and they rendered that verdict," Hugh Newsom said.

Asked about rumors that the defense is already talking about a mistrial, Gary Christian said he was hoping to get through the news conference without having to talk about "them" (defense attorneys).

"I do not have to respect--I respect that court, I respect these officers--I respect that court, I do not have to respect a couple of individuals because the court made them do something," Gary Christian said. "I do not have to respect the way they did it. I don't not respect anybody that attacks (the Newsom's) son or our daughter, for any reason."

"You once talked about struggling with hate in your heart," WNOX reporter Catherine Howell asked Gary Christian.

"Yes, Ma'am," he said.

"Does this help?"

"No, ma'am."

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KNOXVILLE Tenn. (WVLT) -- It's all about choices.

A Knox County jury has begun deliberating whether to send convicted killer Lemaricus Davidson to death or prison.

The same jurors convicted Davidson on all murder counts in the January 2007 deaths of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom earlier this week.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

"Clearly, the defendant had a neglectful childhood but. Momma was on crack. He had a unstable home life," assistant district attorney Takisha Fitzgerald told jurors during closing arguments. "But that doesn't justify or excuse [his crimes]."

Fitzgerald argued though Davidson suffered physical and emotional abuse, he'd been given chances to succeed in his late teens by both a group boys' home and then foster care.

"What does he do with that opportunity?," Fitzgerald asked. "He shows them all when he goes out and he commits an aggravated robbery [in 2000]."

After prison, Davidson later chose to come to Knoxville to sell dope, instead of taking job offers, Fitzgerald said.

"We're not making excuses. We're talking about explanations," defense attorney Doug Trant argued.

The defense argued physical and substance abuse goes back generations in Davidson's family.

A psychiatrist also testified Davidson's life included multiple factors predicting violent behavior, Trant said.

"I'm going to ask you to spare the life of Lemaricus Davidson...for that little boy who was whipped by extension chords and table legs," Trant said.

Trant argued Davidson has shown to behavior in a structured environment, like prison, and sparing his life would benefit the families who've tried to help and still love him.

"Please, I"m begging you, do the right thing and send Mr. Davidson to prison," Trant said.

Davidson could receive the death penalty, life in prison, or life in prison without parole for the deaths of Christian and Newsom.

Now the jury must choose.

The last time a Knox County jury sentenced someone to the death penatly was 1997.

Judge Richard Baumgartner hasn't ever passed along a death sentence from a jury in his 17 years serving on the bench in Criminal Court Division I.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Closing arguments in Lemaricus Davidson's sentencing hearing are complete, the jury will begin deliberating his fate after the judge has given them instructions.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Sentencing deliberations will begin after closing arguments in the sentencing hearing for now-convicted killer Lemaricus Davidson. He faces the possibility of the death penalty for killing Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, in January 2007.

The couple was carjacked, kidnapped, raped and murdered.

Volunteer TV's Mike McCarthy as at the courthouse. You can watch a live feed from the courtroom on VolunteerTV.com, and get courtroom updates from Mike McCarthy on Twitter by following @WVLT.