Photo Credit: Knoxville News-SentinelKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - One of the men convicted in the torture slaying of a young Knoxville couple five years ago is invoking his right to a speedy trial.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported an attorney for George Thomas has filed a motion asking that Thomas be retried soon. The legal move comes as the Knox County prosecutor seeks to block new trials for Thomas, Lemaricus Davidson and Letalvis Cobbins.
Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood ordered new trials for the three after it was revealed the trial judge was abusing prescription painkillers during the time the trials were conducted. The prosecutor is not contesting a new trial for Vanessa Coleman.
The victims were 21-year-old Channon Christian and 23-year-old Christopher Newsom who were kidnapped, tortured and killed in January 2007.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
