KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Life or death? George Thomas' fate is now in the hands of the jury. The question is: will they spare the life of a man they say killed Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom?

Wednesday was an emotional day in court for Thomas' sentencing hearing. It even looked as if Thomas had tears in his eyes as his mother took the stand, with his life on the line.

"That's my baby! I love that boy!" said Bridget Thomas as she begged the jury to save her son's life. "My son is a good boy. That's my baby. I birthed him. I'm begging at the mercy of the court, I don't want to see my son die."

Thomas could get the death penalty for the deaths of Christian and Newsom. Prosecutors argued the crimes were so heinous and cruel that Thomas should die for them. But Thomas' family described him as a passive loner, a follower who suffered physical and emotional abuse from a crack-addicted dad.

"He constantly got punched in the chest, extensive whoopings, over and over again. Just everything," said Thomas' brother Antoine Jones.

The victims' families also took the stand, sharing their daily heartache. Christian's parents described their guilt about being unable to protect their daughter.

"I miss my little peanut. My perfect family is now broken," Deena Christian said.

"The last thing that we said to each other was I love you," said Gary Christian.

Newsom's parents told jurors how the crimes have forever changed their lives.

"We lost two good kids, not just one," said Hugh Newsom.

"I'm waiting for him to come home and say hi Mom. My life will never be the same because of a senseless crime from people who have no regard for life," Mary Newsom said.

Now, a trio of families bound by crime are all waiting to learn Thomas' fate.

The judge sent jurors back to their hotel rooms Wednesday night. They'll begin deliberations Thursday morning.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The jury in George Thomas' double murder trial ruled Tuesday that Thomas was guilty on all charges against him, including the murders of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23. Wednesday, the jury that convicted him will ultimately decide whether he should die for carjacking, kidnapping, raping and killing the couple in January 2007.

You can watch the entire hearing streaming live at VolunteerTV.com.

Get up-to-the-minute courtroom updates from Mike McCarthy by following @WVLT on Twitter.com.

4:46 p.m.-- Closing arguments are complete, and the judge is charging the jury before he sends the home today. They'll begin deliberating Thomas' fate tomorrow morning.

4:00pm---The defense rests. Prosecutors have called the Knox County Jail's disciplinary record keeper to show Thomas didn't always obey the rules while in custody.

3:30pm--Court takes a break. The state says it has rebuttal witnesses. Judge expects to send jury home tonight, and begin deliberating tomorrow. But the judge will ask the jury would they want to do.

3:00pm--Thomas' mother, Bridget Thomas, has taken the stand. Thomas said he said was a "loving son" and she begged for mercy, saying she didn't "want to see [her] son die."

2:45pm--Pastor of the church Thomas' attended as a teen took the stand. The pastor described Thomas a polite, well-behaved teenager who attended a new convert class, where he learned the teachings of the Bible.

2:25pm--Thomas aunt Maria Anderson said Thomas has a young child, likely about two years old. Anderson didn't say the child's name or the name of the mother.

2:00pm---Thomas' older brother Antoine Jones testified about the abusive childhood Thomas and he suffered at the hand of their crack-addicted father. Jones asked the jury to spare Thomas' life. "I just don't want to see him dead," he said.

1:45pm---Judge has told Thomas he isn't obligated to testify during his sentencing hearing, but he has the option. Thomas will tell the judge his decision later.

1:40pm--Judge just now back from lunch. Thomas sentencing hearing reconvenes.

11:45am-- Thomas' aunt, Latonya Eason, took the stand and described Thomas' abusive childhood at the hand of a drug-addicted dad while Thomas' mom worked three jobs to provide for her kids. Prosecutors pointed out Eason lost contact with Thomas for five years, until he informed her of the crimes.

11:00am--The state rests in Thomas sentencing hear. Hugh Newsom said he'd give away all the money he has or would ever earn and go to live on the street just to have his son back for a brief time to tell him he loves him.

10:45am--Hugh and Mary Newsom are giving their victim impact statements. Mary cried as she described how her family will never be the same "because of a senseless crime by people who have no regard for life."

10:15am--Deana Christian is giving her victim impact statement. She tells the jury "my perfect family is now broken." Gary Christian tells the jury his daughter had a beautiful smile, face, and heart. Gary fought back tears as he described how he searched for Channon, but just "couldn't hear her cries". Gary said he hopes Channon's papaw keeps her safe "until the day comes when once and for all [Gary] can tell her [he loves] her more."

10:00am--Prosecutors argued Thomas should receive the death penalty because the murders of Christian and Newsom were especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel, involving torture. The prosecution also had a substantial role in the other committed felonies.

The defense told jurors that "every life has value," asking them to spare Thomas' life. Defense Attorney Steven Johnson described how Thomas was physically and emotionally abused by a crack-addicted dad. Johnson told the jury life in prison is a sentence of at least 51 years and told jurors to "do the math" that no matter how Thomas is sentenced he will die in prison.

9:35am--Judge Richard Baumgartner said criminal responsibility doesn't apply to sentencing. The jury must sentence Thomas based on its belief in how he was involved, not the actions of his co-defendants on which he was convicted.

Thomas' defense attorneys tried to block the sentencing hearing, arguing there's no evidence of his direct involvement under the law.

The judge reserved ruling on that, as he has with the defense motion for acquittal. "This is an appellate issue," the judge said. He asked prosecutors for a written response to the defense acquittal request.

9:25am---Vanessa Coleman trial date set for May 10, 2010. Defense attorney Russ Greene said Coleman will seek an out-of-town jury. The judge said he'll work on where that will happen.

9:22am--Thomas sentencing hearing on hold right now. The judge is talking with Russ Greene, the defense attorney for Vanessa Coleman the fourth suspect to go to trial for the murders of Christian and Newsom. The judge is setting a trial date. The State Court of Criminal Appeals recently denied Coleman's pre-trial appeal based on an immunity claim.