http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=8134921
By HANA KIM
Good Morning Tennessee Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- As jury selection continued Tuesday in the first trial connected to a high-profile double murder, the suspect turned to the victim's family, smiled and mouthed "bring it on."
According to the family of Channon Christian, Eric Boyd mouthed "bring it on" twice as they sat in court Tuesday.
Channon's father, Gary Christian, and one of his friends left the court shortly afterward, visibly angry.
Boyd's attorney, Phil Lomonaco, says he didn't see his client mouth anything to the family so he has no comment on what happened.
Channon Christian and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom, 23, were killed in January 2007.
Newsom's body was found the day after the couple went missing. He'd been bound, shot and burned and left along the railroad tracks near 9th Ave.
Christian's body was found at a home on Chipman Street where investigators say both victims were taken. There was evidence Christian had been bound, physically assaulted and raped.
Boyd is accused of being an accessory to the murders. Prosecutors say he hid one of the four murder suspects charged in the case, Lemaricus Davidson, following the murders.
Fifteen people have been dismissed from serving as jurors so far. Some were dismissed for what were called personal reasons. More were dismissed because they said the case is so brutal they couldn't be objective during the trial.
The first phase of jury selection will conclude Tuesday after 76 potential jurors are called for one-on-one questioning.
During the second phase of jury selection, which will begin Wednesday attorneys will select a group of 36 potential jurors at random for more questioning.
The defense attorney says during this phase, the defense can strike 12 people from the pool and the prosecution can strike 10.
A jury is expected to be seated sometime Wednesday.
By HANA KIM
Good Morning Tennessee Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- As jury selection continued Tuesday in the first trial connected to a high-profile double murder, the suspect turned to the victim's family, smiled and mouthed "bring it on."
According to the family of Channon Christian, Eric Boyd mouthed "bring it on" twice as they sat in court Tuesday.
Channon's father, Gary Christian, and one of his friends left the court shortly afterward, visibly angry.
Boyd's attorney, Phil Lomonaco, says he didn't see his client mouth anything to the family so he has no comment on what happened.
Channon Christian and her boyfriend, Christopher Newsom, 23, were killed in January 2007.
Newsom's body was found the day after the couple went missing. He'd been bound, shot and burned and left along the railroad tracks near 9th Ave.
Christian's body was found at a home on Chipman Street where investigators say both victims were taken. There was evidence Christian had been bound, physically assaulted and raped.
Boyd is accused of being an accessory to the murders. Prosecutors say he hid one of the four murder suspects charged in the case, Lemaricus Davidson, following the murders.
Fifteen people have been dismissed from serving as jurors so far. Some were dismissed for what were called personal reasons. More were dismissed because they said the case is so brutal they couldn't be objective during the trial.
The first phase of jury selection will conclude Tuesday after 76 potential jurors are called for one-on-one questioning.
During the second phase of jury selection, which will begin Wednesday attorneys will select a group of 36 potential jurors at random for more questioning.
The defense attorney says during this phase, the defense can strike 12 people from the pool and the prosecution can strike 10.
A jury is expected to be seated sometime Wednesday.
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