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Knoxville (WVLT) - Attorneys for the four suspects in the brutal rape and murder of a Knoxville couple appeared in court Monday.

Lemaricus Davidson; his brother, Letalvis Cobbins; and George Thomas were indicted on 46 counts, including first-degree murder.

Vanessa Coleman was indicted on 40 counts, also including murder, in connection with the deaths of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.

Monday, a judge instructed the suspects to next appear in court on July 30th, with a formal hearing now set for October fourth.

Separate trials are set for next year, beginning with Cobbins on May 12th.

Prosecutors have not said yet whether they'll seek the death penalty.

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Posted by: gene Location: wisconsin on May 13, 2008 at 03:49 PM
i just called the milwaukee journal/sentinel about the knoxville murders of the two young people,guess what?the paper here can care less!media bias alive and well!

Posted by: Dallas Location: LA on Apr 11, 2008 at 04:26 PM
If it makes any differance,"Daharma Religion" has wattered down GOD's Word. "If a beast of the field sheds blood his blood shall be shed. without appeal

Posted by: Mike Location: Pittsburgh PA on Feb 11, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I always wondered what a monster looked like; now I know. Look at the pictures of the five perpetrators for five different faces of monstrosity.

Posted by: Josh Coy Location: knoxville on Feb 3, 2008 at 12:42 AM
I graduated with channon. God rest their souls. The death penalty is to good for these people they should be beat and raped everyway posible. Tortured for months and sent to hell in pieces to be burned for eternity

Posted by: Outraged Location: Texas on Jan 31, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Why hasn't this been reported?? Is it because it's too horrific? What is God's Name can cause a group of people to do this to others?? I felt sick to my stomach when I read this story. I agree, Animals would not do this; Only Evil Minded Demonic People. There isn't a punishment suitable for these evil scumbags. If only we could do worse than kill them.

Posted by: Sonja Location: Orlando Fl on Nov 15, 2007 at 12:21 AM
I'm a black female, 18, and am offended every time I hear "Rev." Sharpton speak. Anyway I just heard about this horrific crime yesterday from my father, who is visibly more upset than I've ever seen him. It's unbearable for me to imagine what these kids my age have gone through, and their families, my God. I would not call these criminals animals as some of you have; animals don't do this! These five people represent the absolute worst state of human existance. They are Hitler x 1000, and should have already been terminated. I was against the death penalty until now. There is no place on this Earth for beings like this, not even in prison.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 13, 2007 at 01:03 PM
Thank God, but they should've been tried for A hate crime. As it is obvious the way this couple was tortured and brutally murdered, that is was HATE induced..

Posted by: tom Location: eov va on Sep 28, 2007 at 05:15 PM
we are not dealing with people here we are dealing with anmials they can't do anything one on one it has to be a gang of them they have no guts to do things on thier own. this is clearly a hate crime. don't send them to jail it would be like a home comming for them send them to hell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Posted by: Chales Location: NC on Sep 22, 2007 at 09:10 AM
All I have heard on the news for the last week is Jena6 , and the coverage of the protest rally. I have NEVER heard anthing at all on the news about this. This is a prime example of how "controlled" the news media really is. The Jena6 stuff is about injustice, right????? Then where is the justice for the two white people brutally raped , murdered, and the female having her breasts cut off???? The news has gotten soooo biased and prejudiced while all the time broadcasting how the white people are prejudice against the blacks. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson haven't said anything about this one. Guess there is no money to be made from a "hate crime " where the colors are reversed.

Posted by: John Location: Knoxville on Sep 21, 2007 at 01:06 AM
Hang them all from the tallest tree and make it a public event. Set the example now!!!!!!

Posted by: Larry Location: Illinois on Sep 17, 2007 at 05:07 PM
Blacks brutally murdering white people just isn't news worthy. A story like this doesn't meet the agenda of the left wing media. A left wing politically correct world where the white man is always the bad guy.

Posted by: Paul Location: East Coast on Sep 15, 2007 at 12:36 AM
KC is correct in the post below so is the individual who said it clearly, they were murdered by pure evil which has no color. The issue of why it got so little media attention compared to the Duke case or the current one with the tortured black girl is a major concern and could be based on racial colors & political. To me there seams to be a gag order on gang & black on white violence. It's unfortunate KC that it takes horrors like this to uncover other wrongs that need to be addressed and fix.

Posted by: scrappy Location: Texas on Sep 13, 2007 at 05:41 PM
All I can do is pray for justice. Whether that happens here in hell. I also pray that the families can eventually find peace and forgiveness. I know if I was in the families' situation, I would have to have a lot of prayers to convince me to forgive the perps.

Posted by: Mark Location: Knoxville on Sep 13, 2007 at 07:28 AM
It is odd how the prosecuting attorney has not said whether or not he will seek the death penalty. I suppose there would be some type of legal purpose for not doing so. The only thing that bothers me is that we can only execute them once.

Posted by: paul Location: east coast on Sep 12, 2007 at 07:14 PM
The sad thing is, if the colors were reversed it would be on all networks 24/7 and called a hate crime. Jess and Sharpton would be all over the news preaching hatred towards whites, because they profit from racism. That's the business they're in, they don't care about real black people or they're rights. All they want is to keep the rift between the races open and make money off of it.

Posted by: Karen Location: West Virginia on Sep 12, 2007 at 02:01 PM
Hey Jack...I agree with you...how come this wasnt on CNN...They were murdered. Its a hate crime when 6 white ppl kidnap a black women and keep her locked up for a week. They are charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, among other things. But its not a hate crime when 4 black ppl kidnap and kill 2 white ppl. Come on!!! I think I will email CNN and let them know of this story. It is terrible that in this day and age all race are afraid of each other. If anyone wants to know the story here in WV, go to WSAZ TV. She lived through her ordeal. God Bless her and her family, and God bless The families of The Tennessee victims..You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Jack Location: Ohio on Sep 11, 2007 at 12:39 AM
And what hit CNN news today? Five white idiots who tortured a black woman they held captive for a week. She's not dead, mind you. And the FBI is investigating it as a hate crime. Tell me again... how many "big" news channels have covered the Christian-Newsom murders? Oh yeah. None. Why is that? Don't want to encourage the 'white supremacist lunatic fringe'? It seems like ignoring the story does that quite effectively. How about we put these five in a cage with the five whites from West Virginia and throw away the key?

Posted by: Tom Location: CT on Sep 1, 2007 at 04:27 PM
This is nothing short of a war crime style atrocity. They just refer to it as "murder" with no mention here of the horrific rape, mutilation, and torture. The fact that Greta Van Susteren, Nancy Grace, and others are not shouting about this story is another crime in itself.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Knoxville, TN on Aug 31, 2007 at 09:59 AM
While I am equally disgusted by the violent and especially cruel nature of the crime, unless the prosecutors have evidence (above the race of the victims and the suspects), they cannot tack on a hate crime charge. Have the suspects said or written anything about how they hate and want to kill whites or any people of a different color? If there's no evidence, there's no way to charge them with a hate crime. There's more than enough to get most if not all of the suspects the death penalty, if they are found guilty. Adding a hate crime charge will only muddy the waters and deflect attention away from the real crime, not the one made up to feed the hysterical clammerings of a few fringe idiots.

Posted by: Norma Location: Florida on Aug 25, 2007 at 10:34 AM
I agree with Bobby from Florida-where are big-mouth Al and trouble-maker Jessee? Is it because they don't care the victims were white? I cannot believe this story was not carried on CNN/FOX or any news channel until I happened to hear about on on a talk show. The ones who did this are outright animals and should be treated as such. Had these victims been black - the whole country would be up in arms. Its time to stand up for what's right regardless of ethnicity.

Posted by: Bobby Location: Morriston,Florida on Aug 16, 2007 at 06:00 PM
its time we passed a law,if you commit a murder,tried and found guilty. we kill you the same way you killed your victims. i would love to be on that jury.HEY AL AND JESSE,how come you guys are not running your big mouths now???must be because the victims are white..

Posted by: Denise Location: Minnesota on Aug 11, 2007 at 10:41 PM
Most Horrible Crime I have ever read about! Anyone who believes these devils shouldn't die is reprehensible! The only thing they deserve is a 4 x 4 metal cage until they are put to death! Like rabid animals at the shelters! I own a house in TN and considered moving there, but forget it! Football means more than justice! How sad!

Posted by: Tom Location: St. Paul, MN on Aug 9, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Channon Christian and Chris Newsom's slaughter at the hands of purely "evil" people is way overdue for some national media's attention.Why no comments from the talking heads on Fox and CNN? Why has this "evil" crime been hushed up by so many in the media? I wonder if Court T.V. will even have the guts to follow the trials? If this was not a "hate crime", what in the world could be? The animals who took part in this crime need to feel the wrath of decent human beings who value and cherish all life. That wrath should be public for all to witness. The national media surely has a responsibility to publish the full accountings of how justice will be served to these "evil" individuals on a national level.

Posted by: edward Location: new york on Aug 1, 2007 at 12:13 PM
This is a shocking crime that deserve more media coverage. However, the media will not cover this story as aggressively as other white on black crime because it fits into the fear that blacks do commit crimes on whites. Ask the big news networks why this crime has not recieved as moch coverage as Jasper TX. This crime was on the news from the time it was commited to the end now its a movie. The Duke University non-crime was aired weekly and no one died. By the way MR DA this is a hate crime based on the facts. Stop trying to play the game and start doing your job. If you can't because of the powers that be than step down and let a competent person take over.

Posted by: Ryan Location: Montgomery, AL on Jul 27, 2007 at 12:51 AM
Once again, anytime a Caucasian protests this as a "hate crime" it is regarded by liberals as a political stance as witnessed by one of the comments below. Not everyone who calls this what it actually is, which is a "hate crime", a screaming moron racist. HATE CRIME!!! PERIOD!!! I cannot believe for the life of me that the incompetent DA's office is trying to use the fact that these "thugs" associated with white people as an excuse to not charge them with hate crimes. That is a completely ludicrous stand and only shows that the DA's office is more concerned of a riot in East Knoxville, than they are of justice. Skew the facts and statistics all you want. I'm sure Leonard Pitts is spending most of his nights doing this when he is not writing "pro brother" columns in the Miami Herald. Now that is a racist for you.

Posted by: sharon (zabel) ballard Location: glasgow, ky on Jul 24, 2007 at 01:53 PM
truly sad and sickening that two young people would have to have their lives shortened by such brutality. they need to do the same thing to those less than human people that they done to Channon and Chris. My prayers will be with them and their families.

Posted by: KC Location: Owensboro, KY on Jul 23, 2007 at 05:57 PM
It is a sad, sad thing that has happened to these young people. It is a sadder thing that there are people who awaits tragedies such as this to voice their political opinions. This isn't a racially motivated murder because the perpetrators are black and the victoms were white. The brutality of it is the worst possible thing that anyone could imagine, and that is what the focus should be on, not the color of the people involved.

Posted by: Richard Location: New York on Jul 23, 2007 at 01:01 PM
Why wasn't this broadcast over bigger markets. Michael Richards and Don Imus got huge media coverage and all they did was speak, not rape and murder. These people are a bunch of animals who have no regard for human life. I hope they all receive the death penalty.

Posted by: MICHAEL D. Location: RICHMOND, CALIF on Jul 15, 2007 at 07:58 PM
WHY DON'T THEY ADD HATE CRIME TO THE LIST OF CRIMES? LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT IS... HATE CRIME THAT INVOLVED A BRUTAL MURDER AND ALL THE REST. IT'S HATE CRIME. OR IS THAT TOO STRONG FOR THE POLITICALLY CORRECT TYPES? HATE CRIME.

Posted by: MICHAEL D. Location: RICHMOND, CALIF on Jul 15, 2007 at 07:43 PM
THEY ALL SHOULD GET THE DEATH PENALTY, SURE AND SWIFT. NO APPEALS, NOTHING. STETCH THEIR NECKS LIKE THE CHICKENS THEY ARE.

Posted by: tom Location: hermosa beach CA on Jul 15, 2007 at 07:28 PM
I am far away and everyone I know here has known about this since the week it happened. There is no lack of coverage.

Posted by: rudy Location: Brandon, ms on Jul 12, 2007 at 04:03 PM
This is sickening. These savages should have been put to death in Feb. I hope the good Lord is more forgiving than I would be, because they would fry for eternity if I had anything to do with it.

Posted by: Bill Location: Summerville, SC on Jul 10, 2007 at 08:34 PM
I find it incomprehensible that the national news mediums haven't covered this story. It is definately more gruesome than the alleged Duke University rape case. Where is Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when something like this happens in the inverse?