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Posted: 7:59 AM Jan 12, 2010
Convict in slaying of couple seeks new trial
One of three men convicted in the carjacking, torture and killing of a young Knoxville couple claims his trial was flawed.
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Defendant George Thomas listens to proceedings on the third day of his
torture-murder trial Thursday, December 3, 2009 in Knox County Criminal
Court. Thomas is the third defendant to be tried for the January 2007
slayings of Channon Christian, 21, and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom,
23. Thomas could get the death penalty if convicted. (Photo Courtesy: J. Miles Carey, Knoxville News Sentinel)
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- One of three men convicted in the carjacking, torture and killing of a young Knoxville couple claims his trial was flawed.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported George Thomas claims in a preliminary motion for a new trial that there weren't enough black people available to be placed on the jury that heard his case, among other complaints.
Thomas was found guilty on Dec. 8 in the 2007 slayings of 21-year-old Channon Christian and 23-year-old Christopher Newsom. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The motion filed by Thomas' attorneys Monday claims too many African-American people were removed from the Hamilton County jury pool.
The jury at the trial of Thomas -- who is black -- had one black member.
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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
