Judge Stacks Prison Sentences for George Thomas in Torture-Slayings

They died separately, and George Thomas should die in prison for both, a judge ruled today.

Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner opted after a sentencing hearing to stack the two life without parole sentences handed Thomas by a jury in December.

He also sentenced Thomas to 25 years for crimes related the January 2007 slayings of Channon Christian, 21, and Christopher Newsom, 23, but that sentence will run concurrently to the life terms.

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“I’m of the opinion Mr. Thomas along with Mr. Cobbins and Mr. Davidson are dangerous offenders who had no hesitation, absolutely none, when these two young people were raped and killed,” Baumgartner said.

The remaining defendant, Vanessa Coleman, faces a May trial. {snip}

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Davidson has been sentenced to death in the case. Cobbins is serving life without parole in the murders as well as the additional 100 years for the kidnapping, robbery and rapes leading up to the deaths.

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