The Worst Crime You've Never Heard Of
The Christopher Newsom and Channon Christian Tragedy
Christopher Newsom, 23 and Channon Christian, 21 were on a date in Christian's Toyota 4-Runner on the evening of January 6, 2007. At some point along their route, they were approached by four black men demanding possession of their vehicle. It's unclear whether or not the couple complied with the request, or attempted to flee. At some point in the struggle the attempted carjacking turned to something more sinister. The perpetrators kidnapped the couple and took them back to a residence belonging to one of the four kidnappers. Upon arrival Newsom and Christian were restrained. Autopsy records indicate Newsom was sodomized, sexually mutilated and then shot several times. His body was then doused with gasoline and burned near railroad tracks running behind the house. His girlfriend, Channon Christian was forced to witness her boyfriend's torture and subsequent murder. Police believe over the next two days, Christian was repeatedly gang-raped by these four thugs. Some reports indicate she was also sexually mutilated before her death. To cover any "evidence," these savages poured drain cleaner down Christian's throat before strangling her and disposing of her body in a large kitchen trashcan.
If this is the first you have heard of these crimes, you are probably as shocked as I was when first learning the details. After I got over the initial shock, I was enraged that this story was not all over the national news. The leading stories around January 7th were related to the war in Iraq and the Duke Lacrosse team. No mention of this double-homicide in Knoxville, Tennessee. This was even before the days of endless Anna Nicole coverage. So where is the media coverage? Where is the national outrage? Where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? After all, this was obviously a hate crime. These young people were sought out because they were white. If the races of the victims and the perpetrators were reversed do you think there would be more media coverage? It shouldn't really matter, should it?
What happened on that night in Knoxville was a heinous, senseless act of violence. The race of the victims, and those who committed the acts, should be unimportant to the overall story. Two young people were needlessly slaughtered by a group of evil thugs. However, there is an obvious media bias against reporting crimes committed by African-Americans. There is a strong bias for reporting crimes committed against African-Americans. This type of reporting does not serve the public well. We need unfiltered accounts of what is happening across our country, not selective stories used to fit some editor's liberal agenda.
Published by Tyler Foster
I am a 30 year old husband and father of two working in software development for money, but writing for fulfillment. View profile
- The Christian Newsom Rapes and Murders Trial of Letalvis CobbinsSome people are saying that the crimes committed against Channon Christian and boyfriend Chris Newsom were evil. Should Letalvis Cobbins live or die? The jury deliberates the death penalty.
- Knoxville Waits for Justice in Christian Newsom Murder TrialThe nightmare crime of rapes and murders of a young couple who were in love is racially tinged and horrific. While the jury deliberates tomorrow Knoxville waits. Can justice be served?
- Report of Rape Victims Injuries Causes DA Employee to Faint in CourtLemarcus Davidson is the latest of several to be tried in the carjacking, rapes and murders of Channon Christian and boyfriend Chris Newsom. The trial is expected to conclude next week.
Justice Shouldn't Black or WhiteA white couple was kidnapped, raped and murdered, and the suspected murderers are black. The internet is swarming with accusations of media bias. What do you believe?- White Supremacists Plan Knoxville Area RallyA Coalition of white supremicist and neo-nazi groups tries to appeal to mainstream america by protesting crime. Organizers ask thoses attending to leave the swastikas at home.
- The Channon Christian-Christopher Newsom Murders
- Angry Whites Plan Knoxville Rally
- Where is Rev. Al and Jesse?
- A Look at Hate Crimes: Past, Present and Future
- Stereotyping and Hate Crimes on the Rise: The Effects of September 11, 2001
- Hate Crimes and Youthful Offenders
- Davidson Guilty! State Seeks Death Penalty for Victims Christian and Newsom
35 Comments
Post a CommentIts not in the least bit surprising that there are lies in this article (thanks research project) given that an article like this would be used to make a subtle yet not so subtle at all political ploy.... sad just plain sad....
that black guy in texas who was chained to a truck and dragged was alive too
I was doing some research for an essay for school when I came across this blog. I decided to do a little more research and check "frugal Dad's" research because of his misspelling of Stephen King. First of all I wanted to say that I feel that this crime was disgusting and that the criminals involved in it deserved the death penalty. However some of the facts that Dad reported are quite incorrect. The police said there was no sexual mutilation done to either victim. Although this in the scope of things isn't that big of a deal I think it affects the whole "hate" crime perspective. I've included a link to a factually correct account of this tragic event that I wanted to share. http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=819
yes this is a hate crime recordings of one of the defendants calling her a white girl and why should he care about white people. and hate crimes are taken even more seriously in court so those say it does not matter well im sorry it does.
i think these death is a way to show us that the world is not safe, and were foolish if we think it is. It was a tragity what happen to this couple, and it should have never happened, i also beleive that the people responsiable should be punished to the full exstent of the law, There is no excuse why they did it, past eflickions or not they didn't have the right to take any ones life exspeacial in they did... although life in prison is an option the death is better suited for these monsters.
Unfortunately, the person that wrote this article doesn't have the facts straight. She was not strangled. She was put, ALIVE, into 5 separate trash bags and crammed into the garbage can. She died with her eyes open - meaning she was desperate to live An attorney actually fainted in court as they were talking about her rape and how brutal it was. These killings were much much more heinous than written about.
No one should have to live through the hell and torture as these two suffered and that the families will never be the same as they said on the news, that their lives are forever shattered.
While this statement below is true, you know very well it would have been turned into a "race" issue by Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson!
" the same outcome could easily have occurred had it been a black couple in the car. "
Add a Comment Posted on 08/13/2009 at 3:08:44 PM
Cobbins just got life w/out parole.
If this case doesnt deserve the death sentence I truly do not know what case does. disgusted...
This is a horrific crime commited by horrible people. Race doesn't matter, the fact that it happened is what matters and they should be punished.